Tag Archives: south indian food

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When Luxury Meets Heritage at The Lotus Palace, Chettinad

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The Lotus Palace in Karaikudi is where history and luxury seamlessly blend to create an unforgettable experience. Built in the 17th century, this 233-year-old architectural marvel, located 72 km from Trichy airport and 14 km from Karaikudi junction, was our home for two enchanting nights. Thanks to The Park Hotel’s efforts, this heritage mansion has been beautifully restored while maintaining its original charm.

The Lotus Palace in Karaikudi is where history and luxury seamlessly blend to create an unforgettable experience. Built in the 17th century, this 233-year-old architectural marvel, located 72 km from Trichy airport and 14 km from Karaikudi junction, was our home for two enchanting nights. Thanks to The Park Hotel’s efforts, this heritage mansion has been beautifully restored while maintaining its original charm.

Lunch at “86 Pillars” was another highlight. Named after the property’s 86 pillars, this dining experience was like being a guest at someone’s home. Karpagam and Ramachandran meticulously arranged our banana leaf and the feast that followed was a culinary journey through Chettinad’s traditional flavors. We were treated to fish, prawn, mutton, chicken, variety rice, parotta, vegetables, chutney, fish curry, chicken curry, sambar, rasam, curd, papadam, and payasam. Each dish was prepared with authenticity and we savoured every bite.

 The evenings at The Lotus Palace are simply magical, especially in the Red Room. Bathed in the deep, rich tones of Burmese red lacquer, this room celebrates the opulent Chettiar heritage and provides a cosy, intimate space. Exclusively for in-house guests, we indulged in a sophisticated high tea with a platter of traditional snacks, including fried idly, paniyaram, raw banana fritters, rose cookies and egg puffs, followed by a tumbler of piping hot tea. It was a delightful way to wind down the day.

Our last morning at The Lotus Palace was tinged with emotion as we prepared to head home. The staff, however, ensured that we left on a high note with another memorable breakfast: Mutta dosa (egg dosa) with Chettinad fish curry, a fitting send-off meal that left us completely satisfied.

What truly stood out to us was how The Lotus Palace preserved its heritage while incorporating modern luxuries. Despite the mansion’s age, every detail was carefully managed to respect its historical integrity. The seamless integration of old and new is what makes this place extraordinary.

My heartiest gratitude to Darshini Ashok Director PR, The Park Hotels Chennai for helping us book the stay at The Lotus Palace, Karaikudi

Our time at The Lotus Palace was nothing short of magical and I can’t wait to return for another glimpse into its timeless charm.

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The New Exotic Food ❤️

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Home food is the new exotic food and we all agree with it! Ghar Ka khana was an initiative that was specially curated by “Soul On A Plate” to bring on the table 8 varities of Indian regional food to the guest at Hyatt Regency Chennai.

For the first time 8 homechefs under one roof over a month, quite a task right, but all the ladies were put to ease with the excellent planning and execution by team Hyatt Regency under the able leadership of the GM Ruban Das. And this could happen only and only because he believed that there sure is so much to offer by homechefs who make home style regional food.

The excitement of the event started with menu curation and photo shoots. Our Homechefs were on the roll, each one encouraging, supporting and motivating each other and that I thought was the happiest part of the event personally for me.

From Malabar to palaghat from Coorg to Bengali from Bihari to gujrati from rajastani to marwari it was India in a plate for people of Chennai. #gharkakhana has definitely made history in Chennai!

This was possible because of many people who worked behind the scenes special mentions to the staff of Hyatt regency.

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Every life has a story. This is ours at The story, Yercaud!

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On a beautiful Friday afternoon we entered the story to write our story for the next two days!

View watching

Our story started from Chennai on a early Friday morning with a bunch of like minded fun people. We did a quick pit Stop at murugan idly. A little about murugan idly, the food was good, rest rooms are worse. A humble suggestion for murugan idly, many of them stop for your food more to use the wash room, hence please keep it clean. After that stop we straight headed to Yercaud. The weather was stunning, the drive was a breeze.

The story in front of our eyes had a mesmerizing effect on us, the vibes and aura were inviting. This resort is relatively new in Yercaud. Must say it was love at first sight for us, the view from the resort is stunning too!

The reception
The room

A little about Yercaud, Yercaud is a hill station town in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It lies in the Shevaroy Hills, known for their orange groves, and coffee, fruit and spice plantations. Yercaud Lake has a boathouse, and is surrounded by gardens and woods. On the lake’s eastern shore, Anna Park has local plants and a Japanese garden with bonsai. It is a 365 kms from Chennai 195kms from Coimbatore 205 kms from Bangalore and 30kms from salem.

Misty morning
Yercaud hills
Servarayan temple

We did visit a few places in and around Yercaud, but tried to spend as much time as possible at The story. They have a bonfire at night with music, the food is very good and made fresh to order, they do inform you to order food in advance. The complimentary breakfast is quite a big spread with south Indian breakfast delicacies. The staff are extremely polite and are ay your service all time with a smile in their face. Special thanks to Ravi, Saravana, John, Bobby and Namita for the excellent hospitality.

Breakfast
Filter coffee

To know more about The story https://www.google.com/travel/hotels/s/H9mDZ address is Berry Garden Phase – III, Pagoda Point Road, Yercaud Hills, Salem, Yercaud, Tamil Nadu 636601

The Story
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Traditional Central Tamilnadu food cooked on firewood at Manjal, Chennai.

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Manjal ( turmeric) is such an important part of an indian meal and so is this restaurant that serves the best of traditional food cooked on firewood. The food here is from Central Tamil Nadu.

Manjal

We all know that food cooked on firewood has a flavour and taste that cannot be matched by conventional cooking. The theme of this place is to serve traditional food the traditional way. The meal comes in plates laced by Banana leaf.

Firewood cooking

The vegeterian meal is as interesting as the non vegetarian meal keeping tastes and flavours intact. Both meals are unlimited Manjal has a whole variety of side dishes like the crab curry, brain fry, mutton chops, chicken fry, fish fry, prawn fry vanjaram fry that is served along with the meals. The biryani both mutton and chicken are available on the menu too. The vegeterian meal is priced at 450 plus tax and non vegetarian meal at 575 Plus tax. Remember it’s unlimited.

Vegeterian and non Vegetarian meal
Crab curry
Country chicken shredded ( nattu kozhi) in traditional Tamil Nadu masala
Prawn tokku
Liver masala
Vegetable meals
Mutton biryani

What makes this place special is traditional food cooked on firewood with nostalgic feeling of eating at some small town, fresh ingredients, no fuss food, eat to your hearts content.

Rustic interiors
Breakfast menu
Lunch menu

Manjal opens their door for guests on Christmas with a hearty breakfast and lunch.

Manjal is located at
Old no 17, ,New no 4, kasturi estate, 1st street Poes garden, Chennai-18