Chennai Margazhi sabha canteens: A guide

It is Margazhi again in Chennai, there is a nip in the air and music and dance everywhere. With sabhas beginning to host music and dance performances for the season, here’s our annual round up of the sabha canteens in the city.

For RK Venkatesan of Sastha Catering Services, planning the lunch menu for the Margazhi sabha canteen begins two months ahead. Keeping seasonal vegetables in mind, he plans a 25-day menu.

“We take pre-bookings, and customers can avail our parcel service this year,” says Venkatesan, who has been catering at sabha canteens for the past eight years.Though his canteen functions from 7am serving filter coffee and a traditional breakfast, the crowd congregates around lunch time in large numbers.

“We serve about 800 elai sapad on weekdays and during the weekends, it is over 1,200,” says Venkatesan. Their special kalyana sapad is priced at ₹550 and they will also offer a January 1 feast at ₹650. For those who prefer a quick meal between concerts, a mini lunch is offered (₹300).

Variety is the hallmark of this caterer, who has listed 30 types of dosa and 10 types of idli on his menu. Gulkand kasi halwa, sapota kesari, strawberry kesari, aval kesari and ginger kesari are some of his signature sweets.

Try the vethala and molaga bajji, kozhukattai, morkali and ela adai served from 4pm to 7pm .For dinner, there are live counters making idiyappam and adai.

@The Music Academy, Mylapore, till January 8. Open from 7am to 10pm. Lunch from 11am to 3pm. To pre-book your parcel meals, call 9962919460.

N Sridhar, proprietor of Arusuvai Caterers and his staff are all set to ensure that rasikas enjoy the traditional elai sapad at Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha. This caterer has replaced the banana leaf, with huge thanga thambalams (golden plates) to serve the food.