Rayala Vaari Bhojanam in Marriage Bhojanambu | Photo credit: Johan Satyadas
You know you’ve entered Vivah Bhojanambu when you pass by a lifelike statue of the mythological character Gatotkacha and breathe in the faint smell of camphor with undertones of chilli and garlic.
This restaurant chain serving Telugu cuisine from the regions of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Rayalaseema has just made its debut in Chennai at Ferros, a swanky new hotel that has replaced the Quality Inn Aruna, once home to some of Chennai’s most popular restaurants was the house of
rajahmundry rose milk | Photo credit: Johan Satyadas
We are greeted with a tall glass of Rajahmundry rose milk, thickened with strawberry and vanilla ice cream, infused with rose essence and topped with slivers of pistachio. It is sweet and refreshing but not the best way to start the meal if you are expecting to eat like actor SV Ranga Rao in the song ‘Vivah Bhojanambu’ from the film maya bazaar,
moccajona vada | Photo credit: Johan Satyadas
There are a lot of starters on the menu and the first one we try is their Mokazona Vada. Crunchy yet soft, they are made with baby corn and corn kernels with stripes of coriander, mint and green chillies. We are also recommended to eat Golconda Kodi and Bhimavaram Bharwan Pithalu, Golconda Kodi is a piece of boneless chicken wrapped in a potato slice, dipped in a spicy batter and fried till golden brown.
bhimavaram stuffed pithalu | Photo credit: Johan Satyadas
Then the big plates are brought in. The vegetarian thali comes with ‘different types of rice’, a spicy tomato-based drumstick and cashew gravy, a spicy brinjal gravy, crispy okra with fried peanuts, pappu, tomato pappu rasam, spicy majjiga pulusu. Which is a buttermilk based curry, a dollop of chutney that changes every day, curd, payasam and fryums.
In non-vegetarian bhojanam, some of these items are replaced with gravy and fries of chicken, mutton, prawns and fish.
The cost of these thalis for the vegetarian option is ₹599, Raju Garu Non-vegetarian Bhojanam ₹999 and Rayala Vari Non-vegetarian Bhojanam ₹1,199. N Sunil Anand, managing director of Kesar Hospitality, justifies the relatively high price, saying that they source all the spices, mixes and even curd from the Tirupati branch to taste.
Jamun Delight | Photo credit: Johan Satyadas
After taking a break and making room for dessert, we enjoy biscuits, musk melon, cake and then berries with custard. Topped with a cherry and nuts, it sits in a bowl of thick cream and is decadent without being too sweet.
Marriage Bhojanambu, Chennai
Vivah Bhojanambu is located at 144 & 145, 1st Floor, Ferros Hotel, Sterling Road.