CHUTNEY VILLA

South Indian Cuisine

I love the many choices of ethnic foods throughout Vancouver. There is a large Indian population and also Indian cuisine—which I love! Chutney Villa is of the finest Indian restaurants that I have ever frequented with delicious, freshly prepared to order cuisine.

Owners Chindij Varodarajul and Lisa Lahay opened this lovely restaurant in December 2003, now celebrating their first anniversary. They are dedicated to bringing you authentic food from South India, which boasts some of India’s finest cuisines. They offer a wide range of dishes, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, from the four Southern states in India, which are: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Kamataka. Characteristic of this region, your taste buds will be tantalized with mouth-watering dishes made mainly from rice, meat, lentils and vegetables. South Indian fare is healthy and uses fewer dairy products than Northern India except for the yogurt and cucumber accompaniment, raita, served with most meals as a refreshing palate cleanser.

Avocado and mango colors with a variety of rich silk curtains and scarves, wonderfully colourful paintings and art on display by local artists set the tone. It is a beautiful setting with a bright and cheery ambiance, reflecting the warmth and cheeriness of the owners, Lisa and Chindij, who greet each table pleasantly during your dining. My group truly appreciated the time that the Waitperson took to educate us about South Indian cuisine. Modern and classical South Indian music and the beautiful traditional Indian clothing that the owners and staff wear add to the ambiance, creating a truly South Indian experience—like taking you off to another land. I love it!

We began our lunch with some crispy Onion Baji while we waited for our main courses. They were nicely battered, crispy and flavourful on the outside and soft and sweet on the inside. There are several other Starters, one being: Masala Vadai (crunchy, deep fried yellow split peas laced with curry leaves, fennel seeds, onions and spices)—very yummy!

South Indian fare gets its flavour from herbs, pods, and spices. I love the rotating daily selection of four fresh chutneys, which can include: coconut; cilantro-mint; pineapple; and mango-ginger. The pineapple and mango-ginger were particularly delicious. The chutneys are served to your table for you to choose the ones you’d like to have and replenished throughout your meal upon request).

Tiffin, a term loosely used in South India to denote a lighter meal. Most are rice and lentil based. All of them are served with sambar (lentil curry) and chutney. Seven choices are available, like: Dosa (a crispy rice and lentil crepe), Idli (steamed rice and lentil cakes), Parata (a soft, flaky bead served with curry).

Biriyam (basmati rice seasoned with a special blend of masala, and layered with a choice of one of the following: prawns, fish, vegetarian, lamb or chicken).

Taali Entrées (come with rice, sambar, veggies, chutneys, pachadi, rasam (a tart broth), vadai, and dessert). Twelve options are available, including: Prawn Paratel, Fish Curry, Lamb Ponyal (co-owner Chindij’s creation of boneless tender lamb, pan-fried with black pepper, curry leaves, ginger, garlic, coconut, cardomom, cloves and chillis). The quality, quantity, and flavor of the numerous items in these complete meals is excellent. In fact, you may end up taking a lot of your meal home—because it is so plentiful. You specify the degree of spiciness that you’d prefer: mild, medium or hot. And, you can emphasize that you’d prefer to have your meal prepared very mildly.

Lunch Specials are only $8.95 and include several meat options, fish, or veggies along with rice, several delicious sauces, and of course, the chutneys. They even serve a cranberry chutney! I love these specials as well as the variety of vegetarian dishes, dosas, and pappadums (like a crisp tortilla made from chick pea or lentil flour).

Owners Lisa and Chindij and their friendly and caring staff aim to please, and that they do! I encourage you to take the opportunity to dine for Lunch or Dinner at Chutney Villa. Everytime I dine there, I ask fellow diners for their feedback—they have all given great ratings. Check it out for yourself. I so admire these two women who have their own business and want them to succeed. The lovely environment and fantastic food is worthy of your attendance.

Chutney Villa is located at 147 E. Broadway, Vancouver, BC. Call (604) 872-2228. Hours are Sunday – Thursday: 11:30am to 3pm and 5pm to10pm and Friday & Saturday: 11:30am to 10pm. They are closed Tuesday.