Brilliant Tutorials – Kai Yendhi Bhavan
While they have been offbeat mentions about the above in some posts, I certainly thought that this Kai Yendhi Bhavan deserves a post by itself. To me, it is the mother of all Kai Yendhi Bhavans in the city. For those who don’t know what I am talking about, I am here referring to a road-side eatery in Masilamani Street, off the crowded Pondy Bazaar. I don’t think they have a name to it. We call it Brilliant Tutorials Kai Yendhi Bhavan as it is right in front of Brilliant Tutorials – an educational training centre extremely popular for its IIT preparation courses.
The Kai Yendhi Bhavan is nowadays practically open through the day. I will restrict this post to the what is being served and must be relished from 4pm as I really haven’t been to the place in the mornings. The best thing about the place is, it is good food, very tasty, very quick and will not burn a hole in your pocket. The minuses of course, it is a road side eatery, cleanliness might not score a 100% really and it is a high traffic area, so lots of dust around. Now, to the best part, what do these guys have and what to eat?
The best in his menu is undoubtedly the Nei Podi Dosai. Better known as Ghee Gun Powder Dosa to people outside India. It is crispy. Yet soft. It spicy. Yet a little sweet. It has just the right amount of ghee with an aroma that will take you to a different world. Served with Chutney and Sambar on a 6 inch plastic plate covered with a banana leaf. I must tell you please request for the Getti Chutney (thick one) and not the regular one and you will enjoy the dosa much better. Move over to Madras’s own parota (not paratha). Crispy and layered, this is served with a piping hot kurma. The korma is normally a pot pourri of vegetables and mildly spiced. You could also opt for the Idiappam (String Hoppers to some) with kurma and this is a good combination indeed. I was there yesterday evening around 10pm and man I hadn’t seen such crowds there in a long long while. The last thing you guys want to do is wait for your food at a road side shop. So, here is a suggestion. Ask for the Idly or Parota first, they are normally readily available and simultaneously order for the Nei Podi which takes about 5-10 minutes. You’ve 2 options, go to the cart or opt for the drive-in. These guys have employed about 6-7 people who will come and take your order and serve you right in your car. The guy is expanding rapidly and has even set up a Chinese counter serving veg. fried rice and noodles but I advice rather stay away from it. Don’t drink the water there, pick up a bottle of Aquafina which is sold right in front of the shop. If you guys are looking for simple, no-nonsense food which at the same time is good then this is where you need to head. He is normally open till about 11.30pm. A good hearty dinner for two should at best make you poorer by Rs. 75. That’s the outer limit. Reassuringly inexpensive.
This place is simply amazing! we drive all the way to pondy bazaar just to eat here!
This place is O.K. Nothin special about it. Lots of coconuts in Kuruma and Chutney. Despite being a night shop, they don’t serve ‘Kara’ Chutney…a must have when u have only a vegetarian option.
amen to that brother! i’ve had it only once, but plan to have more of it soon! the ney podi dosai.. yum!
if i am right then the one u r mentioning is called Sapthagiri
i’ve tried it manytimes when i was in chennai (nandanam)
if i am right then the one u r mentioning is called Sapthagiri
i’ve tried it manytimes when i was in chennai (nandanam)
one more branch of it was present very close to Venkatnarayana temple..near the park
Do you know that they are actually paying around 50,000 bucks every month to the police as mamool just to have that shop there, they dont pay any rentals, etc.
Yeah…The Kai Yendi Bhaavan is called Sapthagiri and is owned by a hotel by the same name which can be spotted nearby. For those who want to sit and eat, the hotel is on the back lane of Pondy Bazaar Rathna Stores and it is the same lane that leads to the Pondy Post Office. Vanathi Pathipagam is situated in the same lane. Lunch/Dinner are also served in this hotel and its quite spicy, with gun powder and accessories. The food is quite cheap.
Abt the one ‘branch’ near Venkatnarayana road near the playground, the corporation put a ban on all the food stalls there and so :-(.
vinod u shud then try “Karthick tiffin centre ” in annanagar near adyar anandha bhavan..i hope nothing can come near to that nei podi dosa…..one of the best dosa corner in chennai i prefer ….. and u may find a dozen of variety dosa menus..
that’s an odd observation….too much cocnut in the chutney….what can you expect??
for those who live in gandhinagar there are 2 great kai endhi’s – one on the side of titan showroom – superb omlettes with kara chutney ; and one on the side of adyar bus terminus that serves good chinese…
thanks to the cops, they both tend to close early…by 11 or so
Agree with Prabhu..Karthik Tiffin Center rocks with it’s Dosa menu.The adyar anandha bhavan next to it pales into comparison in terms of crowd and business done !!
I have been eating in this joint since 1990.Absolutely amazing food.By the way, their hotel was called Udupi bagavathi vilas for some time and they are also known as cinema bhavan to some. None of u have mentioned that his Sambar vadai is sexy.. I have seen many celebrities here sitting inside their car and eating. I have also introduced this place to many friends and none of them have any regret.If u go to teir hotel, try having their Crisp rava dosa or onion rava dosa. U have to tell the bearer that u like it crisp without much oil. Also, they still operate their 2nd unit on the side of the natesa mudaliar park. Both these outlets are open from 7.30 in the morning till about 11p.m. Go ahead and enjoy,but remember, if u r the fussing kind, then pls stay away from this place,GRT Grand Daya may suit u beeter
By the way theirs is a 10 inch plate and not a 6 inch diameter