North Indian food in south India. Chennai has evolved over the years as far as the food culture is concerned.  When I came to chennai 18yrs ago authentic North Indian food was a rare commodity. I had never found a single place that served authentic butter chicken in chennai. Today we have many North Indian restaurants in chennai and off course other parts of Tamil Nadu. But a very few which are really authentic. Was glad to experience one of those today.

Dhaba by ClaridgeS is a place that has been in my list for awhile now since I have read some really raving reviews about the place. To start with the place is very colourful and vibrant. That talks about the energy of the place.

The staff were courteous and were willing to go the extra mile to show us around and answer any of our query. The menu was detailed with good pictures that represent the dish.

This place does not serve soup, so we decided to plunge to the starters and juice. We ordered the Kala khatta that was served in the goli soda bottle and Ganne Ka sa ras, this juice was excellent, it tasted like sugar cane juice, but did not have sugar cane in it. Totally recommended. Thank you for recommending Arun Kumar L.P.

Our starters for the evening was mutton sheekh kebab, one of the best that I have eaten in chennai so far. Murgh malai kebab, was good, but could have been better.

The main course was off course the signature dish Balti meat, the gravy was perfect with the tender succulent meat cooked to perfection. Chef Gorang Anand told us that the meat comes from Jaipur. It was not like any of the meat that I have tasted in chennai before. Chitta butter chicken was the fair brother of butter chicken, I was told Chitta means white. The gravy is prepared with white onions and cashew. I personally liked this twist to the butter chicken. Chef insisted that we try the Dal Dhaba that as very close to the Dal Makhni, but yes it did have its own unique flavour.

The signature bread was Dhabe Di Roti, which has more of bread roti we also ordered the amritsari kulcha and laccha Parantha.

The dessert was the Badam halwa, we were told that the halwa was cooked just with badam soaked over night and there was  no other ingredient that was mixed to make this halwa. It was yummy and absolutely rich and sinful. For the first time in chennai I was offered a metha pan without tutti futti, took me back to my Mumbai days.

Tad bit expensive, but can be a place to visit for a special occasion.

overall an evening with good food and courteous service!!!

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