Sundari's Kitchen - Authentic South Indian Cuisine — Restaurant in Ottawa

My wife and I love South Indian food, so we visited this restaurant after seeing its nearly 5-star rating on Google. Our first shock was that they didn’t accept credit cards - only debit cards or cash. Using a debit card isn’t ideal for security reasons, as there’s little recourse if the payment machine is compromised. At least with a credit card, you can dispute a charge if needed. Their explanation for not accepting credit cards was to “keep costs down.” In any case, I told the boss lady I only had a credit card and $40 in cash (as I don’t carry too much cash), and she assured us, “don’t worry, we’ll make it work.”

Our second shock was the pricing. Given the basic setup and atmosphere, we expected reasonable prices, but they charge as if they’re in a five-star hotel - prices were ridiculously high.

Anyway, since it was our first time, we asked about the portion sizes of dosa and sambar before ordering. The owner gave us an odd look, almost like she was annoyed, but then said, “our portion sizes are very generous,” which we were pleased to hear. However, the actual portions were disappointing. The dosa was average sized and had very little potato filling, and the idli that was described as “big” was also average-sized. The sambar, a main component of the meal, came in a tiny bowl with the promise of only one free refill. The refill was even smaller, like a baby-sized bowl. Why even bother including sambar with such a small serving? Extra sambar, “in a bigger bowl” per her, costs $7.99, which I found absurd.

The boss lady also refused to prepare the uttapam, saying it takes 20-25 minutes and they weren’t taking orders for it due to being short-staffed. If that’s the case, why keep it on the menu?

As for the food, while the dosa, idli, and vada were tasty, due to lack of enough sambar we couldn’t enjoy them. The tomato and coconut chutneys were really good, but the third chutney, I’m not sure what it was, didn’t taste good at all. The sambar was particularly disappointing - half the bowl was filled with vegetables, and the rest was bland watery sambar, tasting like plain boiled lentils. Honestly, we make much better sambar at home.

I saw reviews where others complained about slow service, but our food arrived super quickly, which was nice. The boss lady checked on us a couple of times to ask if everything was okay, and her husband did too, which was appreciated.

Then came the bill. Although she initially claimed she’d “make it work” with the $40 cash and we also made sure that we didn’t order too much food and stay in the limit, she insisted we pay the remaining $4 with a debit card (our bill was $44). When I said I wasn’t comfortable using a debit card, she asked us to send an e-transfer, which I gladly did. However, in the spirit of good customer service, she could have waived the small amount, especially after promising to work with the cash we had. But she was adamant about the extra $4. BTW, that extra dollars were all tax and she didn’t even bother to give us a receipt, so technically she shouldn’t have charged us that money if she wasn’t going to pay it back to the government.

Overall, I’d rate the food as above average (except the sambar which gets 0 star) and the customer service and environment as below average.

And please, start accepting credit cards. Your prices are already high, and the small credit card processing fee could easily be covered by your high prices. It might even help your business.

Also, always remember that customer is the king. Treat them well and they’ll come back again and again and your business will thrive. Nickle and diming your customers will not take your business anywhere.

Bottom line: I won’t be returning to...

A Taste of Bangalore in the Heart of Ottawa: A Culinary Triumph A recent culinary exploration in Ottawa unearthed a trifecta of South Indian and Hyderabadi delights that transported my taste buds straight to the bustling streets of Bangalore. The ghee podi dosa, ghee podi idli, and dum chicken biryani I had the pleasure of savoring were not mere imitations, but authentic renditions that would make any Bangalorean proud. The star of the show was undoubtedly the Bangalore-style ghee podi dosa. The dosa itself was a masterpiece of texture – impossibly thin and crispy at the edges, yet soft and yielding towards the center. It was generously smeared with a fragrant, nutty podi (a roasted lentil and spice powder) and drizzled with an ample amount of golden, aromatic ghee. Each bite was a delightful symphony of crunch, spice, and the rich, comforting flavor of clarified butter. Served with a vibrant coconut chutney and a flavorful sambar, it was a dish that evoked pure, unadulterated nostalgia for the iconic breakfast spots of Bangalore. Following closely was the ghee podi idli. The idlis were textbook perfect – soft, fluffy, and steaming hot. They were lovingly coated in the same delectable podi and glistening with ghee, transforming a simple steamed rice cake into a truly indulgent experience. The subtle heat from the podi was beautifully balanced by the richness of the ghee, creating a flavor profile that was both complex and deeply satisfying. To round off this exceptional meal, the dum chicken biryani was a revelation. This wasn't just a plate of spiced rice and chicken; it was a testament to the art of slow-cooking. The long-grained basmati rice was impeccably cooked, each grain separate and infused with the heady aroma of saffron, mint, and a secret blend of spices. Nestled within this fragrant mound were succulent pieces of chicken, so tender they practically melted in the mouth. The "dum" cooking method had clearly worked its magic, locking in all the moisture and flavors, resulting in a biryani that was rich, flavorful, and utterly authentic. For anyone in Ottawa yearning for a genuine taste of Bangalore's celebrated cuisine, this experience was a resounding success. The commitment to authentic flavors and quality ingredients was evident in every dish, offering a delicious and memorable journey through the heart of South Indian and Hyderabadi culinary traditions. It is a rare and joyous occasion to find such faithful reproductions of these beloved dishes so far from their origin. This is, without a doubt, a must-try for any aficionado of...

Sundari akka - we call her akka , akka means elder sister in Tamil . When your mom forgets to feed you your akka feeds you . A quintessential presence in Ottawa food scene . She is literally an elder sister feeding the most authentic South Indian food in Ottawa . What does a sister do . She feeds you love . Akka started off in the Facebook communities like a whirlwind . I came to Ottawa listening to praises of this hard to get delicacies in local food groups . There is a saying . The hardest food critics are your own . They have been raised on this cuisine . It is the hardest thing to make them say that this food reminds me of home . Akka did this over and over again with much ease . Sundaris food is the definition of quality . I remember the days when the post says supply was limited and we were fighting it out like a Warfield with our keyboards to order whatever we could get our hands on . It used to be sold out in matter of minutes . When sundaris kitchen opened she brought the same quality forward but with a commitment to bring the taste of authentic home cooked cuisine to the masses . Now you can just walk in and enjoy the most delicious South Indian food that the east of Canada has to offer . When my wife comes here with me something in the dishes makes her tear a piece of the delicious dosa or the soft vada and place it in my mouth and it feels just like home . This is therapy . The vada is fresh .the coconut in chutney is ground fresh . Sundari akka cooks to see the smiles on your faces . Every dish is recommended . If you miss this place you have missed the best South Indian cuisine has to offer. I don't pick and choose my mom's food . I do the same here . Everything...