The Raintree: Taj Connemara, Chennai South Indian Food

Indian Travel Places May 21, 2023 Food Review 518 Views

Restaurant Name: The Raintree, Taj Connemara, Chennai
Phone: +91 44 6600 0000
Address: Taj Connemara, 2, Binny Road, Anna Salai, Chennai 600002, Tamil Nadu, India
Time: 7:00 PM – 11:45 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 2,800
Cuisines: Chettinad, South Indian
Facilities: Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Validated Parking, Valet Parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Table Service, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Card

The Raintree, Taj Connemara, Chennai: Decor

Tucked away at the far end of the property, Raintree is away from the main hotel and is a soothing space. The sloping roof is built using terracotta tiles. A tall brass kuthu velakku welcomes you into the restaurant.

Food:

At 91.1 calories, the Thakkali Melagu Rasam is warm. Thankfully, additives like curry leaves, cilantro, pepper etc have been strained out. What remains in my glazed terracotta mug is a thin liquid with only the necessary flavours. They look like tiny podi idlis, and they are, but with a difference. You need cut one of the Podi Urugai Vathakal to see the small amount of pickle nestling inside. They bring with them the aroma of ghee, and are served with coconut and tomato chutneys. Kari Sukka has boneless morsels of lamb tossed in a mix of shallots, tomatoes and onions. Whole peeled garlic cloves add their power to this appetiser.

Mango Rice, made using the organic mangoes grown within the hotel’s premises, tastes different. Perhaps a little tangier, as the small-grained ponni raw rice does a good job of absorbing the flavours. Appam goes equally well with Karuvepillai Poondu Kozhambu as it does with the Kaikari Chettinadu & Elaneer Payasaam is different here. Thicker even. Milkmaid and rabari explain its milkiness. But the tender coconut prices and coconut milk are unmistakable. A little heavier than what we are used to, but a fitting dessert, nevertheless.