Savya Rasa, is not just another 'south-Indian restaurant'. It takes one on a culinary journey spanning the four southern states, with handpicked dishes from the seven major culinary regions of South India. So, Mangalore and Mysore have been picked from Karnataka, Malabar and Nasrani from Kerala, Chettinad and Kongunadu from Tamil Nadu and Nellore from Andhra Pradesh.
Located on the 3rd floor of Ardee Mall in Gurgaon, the ambience is reminiscent of a wealthy home in the South, with elements from the different states. While the windows and pillars have been inspired from the many ancient temples, they have been fitted with stained Belgian glass. Tiled flooring adds a traditional charm while keeping the place cool and the art work on the walls includes a large piece of kalamkari painting made with vegetable dyes and wall art depicting the interior of the famous Meenakshi Temple.
Coming back to the food, the choice is aplenty and the wait staff is well-trained to explain the origins, ingredients and cooking techniques, adding to the overall experience. Take your time to navigate the extensive menu that is divided into the modern-style soup, starters, mains, breads rice and desserts, although the recipes are as traditional as possible. My meal starts with the thengai paal rasam, a delicious coconut broth made with tomato puree and tempered with ghee. There is also an aromatic and peppery kozhi rasam, a hearty chicken soup that is a winter specialty from Chettinad.
While the menu features my favourites like podi idli fry and methu vada, I went with the starters that I had never had before: senai vadai, a deep fried patty made of boiled elephant foot yam and Malabar urulai roast, or baby potatoes marinated with rice flour and chilli mix, that is deep fried and then pan tossed with sliced onions and aromatic Malabar spices. This is going to be a hit with potato lovers! For the non-vegetarians, kozhi paniyaram, stuffed with finely chopped chicken sounds like a good bet. There is of course a great choice of mutton, prawn and fish options too. Mini meen polichathu is seer fish marinated in a tangy masala made of tomatoes, onions, red chillies and tamarind, rolled in a banana leaf and grilled on a tawa and makes a great appetiser.
The curries are absolutely delicious too. You can go for the Andhra special tamatar pappu, yellow lentils cooked with tomatoes, or try the tangy mango curry from Kerala or the very flavourful vegetable ishtew. Kozhi mappas is a Syrian Christian delicacy cooked especially during Easter and Christmas. Or, balance out the spicy gongura mutton with an aromatic meen moilee. The breads to mop up all the aforementioned curries include the whole gamut from appam and idiyappam to neer dosa and a variety of dosai. Thus, the Savya Rasa special bread platter comes highly recommended. And, the chutneys deserve a special mention. They are the freshest and tastiest varieties of white coconut, spicy red and tangy green chutney.
Of the things that you shouldn't miss are the bun parotta, a crispier and flakier version of Malabar parotta and pair it with a tangy manga curry or flavourful mutton sukka. And do save space for thayir saadham or curd rice, black rice halwa and of course the filter kaapi, to wash it all down.
If you like to taste a variety of dishes the weekday lunch thalis come in vegetarian, non-vegetarian and seafood options.
Savya Rasa, 3 rd floor, Ardee Mall, Sector 52, Ardee City, Gurgaon.
Ph: +91 9319429735; +91 7428495530
Timings: Lunch 12noon - 3.30pm; Dinner 7pm-11pm.