Mylai Food Walk

As part of the Mylapore Fest, the CFG group decided to do a Mylapore Food Walk. I have eaten in all of these places that we visited today; yet this was special because of this gang!

We all assembled near Karpagambal mess (and we decided we wouldn't go in there - the quality has terribly gone down) and walked down to Kalathi News Paper Mart. This place is known for their rose milk and has been in existence ever since time immemorial. This is at the corner of East Mada Street and South Mada Street. At Rs 12 per glass, this is the best thirst quencher in this little corner of the world.

From there, we headed to Rayars Mess. This tiny non-descript mess is tucked away amidst a row of houses and apartments in Arundale Street, off Kutchery Road, Mylapore. It can seat a maximum of 8 people at a time and their adai aviyals and onion rava dosais are to die for. As a gang of 20 people descended into this tiny lane, there were people looking down upon us from their balconies and wondered if they should dump their garbage on us for ruffling the feathers of this quiet locality.

At Rs 800 for 20 people, for a massive order of rava dosais, adais, potato bondas, coffees, gulabjamuns, this place is total value for money. Please note that this can get super crowded and on Sunday mornings, typically, there are people waiting outside by the dozens.

As the taste buds craved for more, we hit Mamis mess, a little mess that works on self service model, on Pichu Pillai Street, Off East Mada Street. This is diagonally opposite Kalathi News Paper Mart. We raided this place amidst all the honking autos and yelling vendors, picking our way between the gypsy maalais and earrings! The order here included piping hot vazhakai bajji and molaga bajji, and strong filter coffee.

It was time up, as the Mylapore Fest would start shortly and we wouldn't be able to take our bikes and cars out. So we had to miss jannal kadai. Jannal Kadai is a small little shop, opp the West Entrance of Kapaleeswarar Temple, which hands out bajjis and bondas through a window and hence the name :)

We wound up in Mylapore and headed towards Kotturpuram to meet the regulars at Kalakkal Cafe. Kalakkal Cafe is a brilliant initiative as part of Vidya Sagar, which promotes the cause of wheel chairs and helps connect people who use wheel chairs. It was a great experience to meet people who are totally independent despite being on wheel chairs. Karthik runs his own library - Sri Chakra Lending Library and if you'd like to donate books, please feel free to do so! UmmulKhair has finished her law course and now works with a law firm. Kalakkal Cafe operates every 2nd and 4th Saturday. Please lend your support! It need not be monetary, just spending some time with these people makes life colorful for all of us!

And that marks the beginning a great weekend!

Cheers!