An authentic Indian restaurant with a royal twist has opened its doors in Southampton after the husband and wife team behind it decided on impulse to extend their restaurant empire while passing through the city.
The Chennai Lounge, in Terminus Terrace, has been launched by Kannan and Masila Rath who already run an award-winning Indian restaurant in Surrey.
The couple were on their way to visit Queen Victoria's historic Isle of Wight home Osborne House when they made the decision.
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Kannan explained: "We’re opening by accident if anything and its quite scary, we came through the area to visit Osborne House on the Isle of Wight with the famous story of Queen Victoria who fell in love with the Indian cooking of Abdul Karim."
Masila added: “We realised most of the Indian restaurants in Southampton were run by people from Bangladesh with Bangladeshi chefs.
"Our goal is to present the classical Indian cooking loved by Queen Victoria, who ate chicken and lentil currys every day for 13 years. The recipes and dishes we’re cooking are passed down from our grandparents, to parents and from us to the people of Southampton.
“If Queen Victoria were to visit us today she’d probably order a Kadai Chicken curry, a Vada Lentil curry with a mixed tandoor starter platter. These were the types of dishes she loved.”
The Chennai Lounge menu celebrates traditional Indian recipes, using fresh ingredients and modern Indian cooking techniques. It features regional Indian dishes; kebabs, tikkas and curry dishes including favourites like Butter Chicken, Squid Sukka along with vegetarian and vegan options such as Dal Curry. Theres also are a broad variety of freshly made breads including a Gruyère cheese and onion naan.
Masila designed the restaurant and adorning the interior are many of her artworks as before starting a family she was a touring artist.
Kannan looks after the kitchen side working with the chefs to get the dishes tasting authentically Indian, using only the freshest ingredients.
Kannan continued: "This food is very close to my heart, we’re developing dishes that my mother cooked me as a child and presenting our beloved Indian cuisine. This restaurant is about exploring the myriad of flavours used in traditional Indian cooking."
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