The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : <I>The Hindu</I> MetroPlus Food Guide released

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 11, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

The Hindu MetroPlus Food Guide released

Susan Muthalaly

Book contains short reviews of 280 of the city's restaurants

OUT IN BOOKSTORES: Film star R.S. Suriya releasing `The Hindu' MetroPlus Food Guide at a function held in Chennai on Wednesday. Rashmi Uday Singh, food critic, looks on. — Photo: S.R. Raghunathan

CHENNAI: Amidst an appreciative audience of foodies, Chennai's comprehensive guide to eating out, The Hindu MetroPlus Food Guide 2006/07, was launched by film star R.S. Suriya at the Park Sheraton on Wednesday.

The book contains short reviews of 280 of the city's restaurants. It also has a section on caterers, cooking classes, party makers and the like written by food critic and television personality Rashmi Uday Singh.

Speaking on the occasion, N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu, observed that Chennai's gastronomic scene had undergone a sea change. He recalled the days of "good old Hansa Stores near our school, the Madras Christian College School, where my personal favourite was peas masala," and `sundal' on the beach. However, Chennai has changed and the cuisine available has become international, while retaining its distinctive personality, he said. The MetroPlus Food Guide helps you eat your way through the changes.

`Food scene, dynamic'

The Hindu's Associate Editor Mukund Padmanabhan, who headed the team that worked on the guide, noted that the book turned out to be quite a task as the food scene here is dynamic, with phone numbers changing constantly, new restaurants opening and others closing down. In this connection, Mr. Ram said that the team promises to provide factual corrections and updates in further editions.

Readers can send in their feedback about the book at foodguide@thehindu.co.in, he said.

Rashmi Uday Singh described the event as a "delicious, historic day" and said that bringing out the first food guide to the city is always tough. While working on her section `A Taste of Chennai', she came across several unique dishes such as Rajasthani pizza, made using rajma and besan.

Suriya expressed his delight at having a guide to tell him where to eat, as he said he's the type to "go to the same favourite joint every time."

He specially appreciated the sections on the signature dishes of each restaurant reviewed in the guide.

The MetroPlus Food Guide is available at all leading bookstores at Rs.150 a copy.

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