Rahul's Post

Vellam — A Southern Sojourn That’s Anything But Stereotypical There's something deeply comforting about South Indian food. It conjures up images of crisp dosas, frothy filter coffee, the scent of curry leaves tempering mustard seeds in coconut oil. But walk into Vellam, and you realize almost instantly — this is not your grandmother's kitchen. If you thought Vellam was going to be another one of those tired attempts at modern South Indian cuisine — the kind where the sambar gets a drizzle of truffle oil and the idli turns molecular — allow me to disabuse you of that notion. Vellam isn't doing gimmicks. It's doing bold. Think fire, spice, and a whole lot of soul, wrapped up in a space that marries Chennai's retro charm with the kind of minimalism that wouldn't be out of place in Tokyo. The vibe is sharp. Brass accents gleam against clean, modern lines. There's energy in the air — a buzz that feels more like a stylish house party than a stiff fine-dine experience. But make no mistake: the food and drink here mean business. Let's talk cocktails. First up, the Vellam Spicy Picante — a daring mix of Maya Pistola Tequila Reposado, raw mango, and pickle powder. Yes, you read that right — pickle powder. The result is tangy, fiery, and surprisingly elegant. It’s a drink that doesn't hold back — unapologetically desi yet entirely sophisticated. Then came the Andhra Spice, which sounds like it should knock you flat — but actually plays a more subtle game. The Roku Gin brings its botanical base, and the Andhra chili lingers just long enough to remind you who's boss. It's the kind of drink you sip and then pause, just to admire the cleverness of it all. If you're going dry, the mocktails aren't fillers — they're features. Purple Passion, with its butterfly pea flower theatrics, passion fruit, and lime, is a visual and sensory delight. And the South Citrus — a tangle of berries and pomegranate with a tart citrus kick — is proof that flavour doesn’t need booze to shine. On to the food — and here's where Vellam roars. The Andhra Chilli Chicken might just be the best version I've had in the city. Scrambled egg and peri peri olives? It’s messy, spicy, and indulgent!

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This post was published on 22nd June, 2025 by Rahul on his Instagram handle "@rahulprabhakar (Rahul Prabhakar)". Rahul has total 65.1K followers on Instagram and has a total of 2.3K post. Rahul receives an average engagement rate of % per post on Instagram. This post has received 46 comments which are greater than the average comments that Rahul gets. Overall the engagement rate for this post was than the average for the profile.