KANNANNAN VIRUNDHU — Restaurant in Tamil Nadu

Kannanannan (KA) was a first time and unique experience in Coimbatore (CB). Coming in from the cold (almost literally – read Canada), I had no idea of the heat blast that my palette was to face. Tucked away in one of the major streets in RS Puram, KA is run by a family of 2 brothers and their mother in honor of their father, Kannan, who loved to entertain, loved his food and was known for his big heart. Having been used to “Pure Veg” tags in restaurants, KH says “Pure Non-Veg”, which was refreshing but in the afternoon temperature, was the sign of things to come. The lead chef trained in the UK has his own take on Kongu naadu cuisine - native to the Coimbatore area. The Omakase philosophy underpins the menu of the day, which is brought to life by the ingredients (mostly local) available that day. Indeed, there is no menu to choose from. Every dish is made from scratch and no food stored overnight. A limited number of about 450 plates are prepared each day and only open for lunch (please call in advance) Recipes are rotated over the week with no 2 days having the same menu. The presentation is typical home-style i.e. unlimited amounts of 15 dishes of mutton, chicken and egg plated over rice on a plantain leaf. We had goat head, brain, innards and muscle meats while chicken was prepared in 5 different ways including dishes containing mint. The pepper levels (both black and cayenne) were pretty high for the average palette, but interestingly kinder on the stomach, especially the morning after. Chicken fried in traditional fish frying batter was one of the highlights as was the goat innard stew containing liver and intestine. Don’t be surprised if you’re overwhelmed after 3 courses. The amounts and flavours are intense. Its almost like stepping into a home, which is true especially as the chefs’ home abuts the restaurant. Dessert was home-made yogurt with honey foraged from the nearby Nilgiri mountains. I could have happily dined on that one thing alone. The contrast between the main course and dessert flavors was polar opposites where the heat was immediately cooled down and the taste buds returned to normal by the honey-yogurt mixture. For Rs 450 (~9 CAD), I witnessed first-hand a wild and exotic spice dance on my tongue, all of which was subsumed in the dessert. All in all a very satisfying experience and look forward to returning.

Key takeaways: There’s no takeaway. Call in advance. They go out very quickly. Go on an empty stomach. Be prepared for experience a spice-blast. It is a meat-lovers’ paradise. However they may accommodate the odd...

I visited this restaurant recently with my cousins.. Before reviewing this, I would say we are frantic non veg eaters.. Absolutely love non veg South indian foods... And we were in search of a good restaurant for one fine Saturday lunch... We had a restaurant in mind, but couldn't get that and we decided to try Kannanan virundhu... To be frank, we were a little judgemental at first to try a new place... We asked for Biryani... But there were only meals served there... So we were more doubtful... Still we had a go with meals... Banana leaf put... Kesari served... Then came the hot seaming rice..was well cooked... So far so good... Then came the jolt!!

Boy!!!Weren't we sooo wrong... In doubting...

Mutton sukka... Chops... Thala kari.. Boti... Varuval... Mutton kolambu on rice... Chicken dishes served as pallipalayam chicken, pudina (mint) chicken, thengai melagu varuval and a dry chicken 65 piece... Each. And. Every.Dish. Lipsmacking!!!!

We had 3 rounds of each kolambu.. Rasam...Thayir.. For thayir we were served Mutton thokku(tasted for the first time) Everything was epic!!!!

We topped it off with nannari juice... Tummy full, unable to move, we heaved ourself to the washroom to wash hands... Fully satisfied with a HOMEMADE food(which was evident as it got digested in like 2 hours, which wouldn't be the case for any other commercial restaurants). We all came out having a face of "How did we even not know about this place in coimbatore before" .. ..

So, forgive me for the long review... But if you are still here, reading... Believe me, this might be the best homemade non veg South indian restaurant in Coimbatore as of now... Try a visit... Meals cost ₹400/-..but worth it...they don't seem to use publicity much other than social media... So don't expect flyers, hoardings and flashy signs and entrances... Ambience is pretty naive... But food is worth it... After all, that's what restaurants...

I had a worst experience with this hotel. Last Sunday I went to the place around 2:35 PM and they said to wait, because all the tables are full. I was waiting till 2:50 PM. At 2:50 one couple came to the hotel and they told the couples also to wait. At 2:55 they told me that they have no food and say me to leave the hotel, But they allowed the couples who came 15 mins late after me. It was really so disappointing, I was waiting there for 20 minutes and the couples came only before 5 mins. But they allowed the couples to have food. I think they had only less amount of food, if yes the have to feed me first because I'm the one who came first, but for money sake, they didn't feed me and the feed the couples. I really felt bad and came out of the place. Really...