Delicious South: Inexpensive, and tasty too!

FOOD

Let's get one thing out of the way; madrasi is not a language, cuisine, race or culture. It cannot be used liberally to describe any and every south Indian. That said, let's move on...

We've attempted to give you a selection of south Indian eateries that are recommended for being distinctively representative of their territory. The verdict is mixed.

Table for three

What we ate:

13 Malabar parothas

3 Beef fry

1 Chicken fry

2 Prawn thorans (sabzi)

1 Fish fry

Total bill: Rs 390

As Bijoy (BS Motoring editor) would say, "Any Mallu worth his pepper will know of Madina Hotel", and I reckon sheepishly I am worth neither pepper nor cashew.

It's a 35-year-old establishment that's been dishing out Mappila (Malayalee Muslim) fare to a packed house every day of the week. It's small (can pack in about 30 people) and entirely unpretentious, save for the faux-rococo motifs on the ceiling.

In the presence of determined carnivores I agreed to sample all things meat, save the beef, even as Pablo (also BS Motoring) extolled the virtues of the "double-fry" beef. If you're there for lunch, flaky, layered Malabar parothas (at Rs 3 each) are wholly recommended.

If breakfast is when you find yourself there, try lacy appams (at Rs 3 and complete only if ordered with a poached egg on the top) or puttu (steamed logs of rice flour and coconut).

We could have finished the meal with a glass of steaming sticky black chai (tea) but the Mumbaiyya in us took over and we topped off with fresh fruit ice- cream from Naturals.

Overall rating 6.5/10

Madina Hotel, L J Road, Mahim (W), Mumbai. Tel: 24456540

Idlis anyone?

What we ate:

1 Mudho (idli steamed in kedki leaves)

1 Khotto (idli steamed in jackfruit leaves)

2 Filter coffees

Total bill: Rs. 50

To me the Mangalorean-run Idli House is perfect. It's tiny, service is racy, the menu is simple (it's just idlis), and it's great bang for buck.

Govindkrishna (BS Strategist), however, didn't have fond memories of Idli House as we venture out to Matunga's King Circle.

He grumbled about how they didn't allow him and a friend to share their idlis, and even turned off the lights and fans at 10 pm, without warning or waiting for them to finish their meal.

We decided to give them a second chance. And found out that the reason they don't encourage sharing is because they believe it's unhygienic, and will provide you an extra plate and spoon to split the meal.

Idli House was created to cater to students, after owner Rama Nayak was advised by a student to examine the clientele of his family business of 60 years...they own four Udipi joints in the vicinity. "I decided that I needed to start something that would be quick, cheap and healthy," he says.

A word of advice: hurry up with the eating and make room for the hungry masses outside; this place seats less than 15.

Rating: 8/10

Idli House, 462, Ram Bhavan, Opp Jain Temple, Dr B Ambedkar Road, Kings Circle, Mumbai