The Chettinad Stories @ Hotel Aadithya, Vadapalani — Restaurant in Zone 10 Kodambakkam

We, three college mates of the 60s, landed up at the restaurant named “Chettinad Story” at Adithya Hotel in Vadapalani, yesterday for a small get-together. Right at the outset, I must say that I feel the name of the restaurant should be changed to “Chettinad Fusion”. That would be more apt to the food they serve there; believe me. Right from the time we entered the lobby, the welcome given to us by Ms Deepa at the front office, Ms Neena in the restaurant, and by Mr Joshua, the GM right through till we left, was nothing short of royal. As we sat down at a corner table Ms Neena came and gave us a brief about the cuisine. For sure, she had in-depth knowledge about each and every item on the menu. We decided to make her take the decisions for us and suggest items. We said, no to some and yes to some, based on her explanation of the ingredients and the process of making them. The result was fabulous. She was there to guide and explain the intricacies of each dish at every step as we went along, savouring leisurely. Her explanations seemed to add to the enjoyment! We were given the opprtunity to compliment the chef in person, for he was "marched up" to our table by Neena! The service too was impeccable. The staff were full of polite smiles. That should speak a lot! Right from the soup to the dessert, each item was divine. The visuals of the dishes, the aroma that wafted up and the tickling the taste buds, were all experiences in themselves. It is not the run of the mill Chettinad restaurant, rest assured. Most of their dishes are a fusion of Western, Arabic or Asian with Chettinad. That makes it unique. Hence my temerity to suggest the change of name as above. The ambience and decor are, total Chettinad. Very pleasant, artistic and colourful. Paintings and pictures evoke the Chettinad feel. As were in the middle of the meal, the GM came to enquire and gave us a brief history of the hotel. He was there to receive us, guide us and later to see us off! That is hospitality at its best, I would say, what with all his busy schedule. Overall, we had a wonderful experience. Once again, the food was real class and I vouch for it. I certainly will visit the restaurant again, with...

The Chettinad Stories is an outstanding restaurant inside Hotel Aaditya opposite Nexus Mall. I am breaking my reviews into many parts to show you why this place is a fantastic place.

The Twist - The restaurant is not just another Chettinad Restaurant. I too expected the same but it was not to be. Every dish has been curated for the adventurous foodies as well as the not so adventurous ones. Chettinad cuisine is one of the cuisine which has not been adventurous. The fusion here with European twist has been spot on. We tried 5 different dishes and I say I loved everything this restaurant dishes out. The Chefs were spot on.

The Menu - The best part of the menu was that it did not venture too far from its identity. One could feel the flavours and Aromas of Chettinad kitchens in all dishes. The curries were true to its roots.

Quality - Outstanding is the word which came first to me. Every dish we ordered right from Kola Urundai till the Biriyani was excellent in Quality, flavour, Aroma and spice. I am very touchy about quality.

Quantity - The quantity in certain dishes were more than enough and some dishes I felt a few more morsels would have satisfied my pang. The curated dishes are outstanding. I never thought Chettinad and European cuisine will find common ground.

Price - The price is not low but the quality they dish out is top notch. Only certain dishes are expensive and that depends on what meat goes into that dish. I would say that the pricing is reasonable

Ambiance - The ambiance is very Chettinad mansion like. The floors and wall and ceilings have signature designs. The vessels, the ceiling lights, the tiles are all well thought to appeal to the customers.

Service - Neena, the chief hostess knows what she is doing, she takes extra care to explain the dishes on the table and always ready to listen to the customers. I think she is the soul of this restaurant. The waiters and waitresses were all warm, friendly and more than happy to give us their full time attention.

I whole heartedly recommend this place to all our followers because this is an experience one should savour atleast once in their lives. Good and check...

Our dining experience at The Chittinand Stories was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived, we were treated to a culinary journey that showcased the bold and aromatic flavours of Chettinad cuisine - a traditional style of cooking from the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu, known for its robust use of freshly ground spices, dried chilies, and coconut.

We started with the Crab Rasam, a spicy and flavoursome soup, served elegantly in a martini glass - it was absolutely delectable. The fried banana flower and lentil dumplings were crisp and satisfying, while the lime-marinated prawns, wrapped in delicate vermicelli and fried to perfection, were a burst of tangy delight.

The standout for me was the delicious mutton served on curry leaf bread - an unforgettable combination of tender meat and fragrant herbs.

We also ordered Mutton Biryani, Chicken Chettinadu, and Prawn Curry to take back to our hotel, all of which lived up to the restaurant’s high standards.

A special mention must go to Neena Vivek, the restaurant’s Relationship Manager. Neena was a true highlight of our experience - she went above and beyond, explaining not only the ingredients but also the history and cultural significance behind each dish. Her thoughtful insights into the spices and cooking techniques deepened our appreciation for every bite.

This is not a place for your typical Butter Chicken or Chicken Tikka Masala. Instead, The Chittinand Stories offers dishes with a rich history and unique, bold spices you may never encounter again. It’s easily one of the best dining experiences we’ve had in Chennai, and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to any visitor looking for something truly special.

We attempted to upload a video of Neena explaining the dish we were about to enjoy, but unfortunately, we couldn't attach it. Looks like you'll just have to visit yourself to experience Neena's incredible knowledge and...