We continue our reader-driven series on great restaurants and eating places across the country. 

If you happen to be a fan of the actor Chiranjeevi [Images], Sunil Ravinder tells you where to head for the Chiranjeevi Dosa, exotic chutney and more South Indian delicacies.

Chutney's is undoubtedly one of Hyderabad's most popular restaurants. You know this because you can drop in at any time, only to find that getting a table isn't as easy as you thought it would be. Considering people aren't starved for choices in the city, it's surprising to see them waiting on the street for their turn to be seated.

What gives Chutney this special status? The traditional South Indian fare it serves, of course. 

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The restaurant specialises in South Indian snacks, although there are north Indian and Chinese dishes served too. There are four varieties of chutney -- two coconut and two ginger, that accompany every snack. You also have the standard excellent sambar, gunpowder (karampodi) and pickles to add spice to your table.

There are quite a few interesting items on the menu, including the steamed, oil-free Chiranjeevi Dosa (the recipe was supposedly given to the restaurant by Telegu star Chiranjeevi), the Babai Hotel Idli which is sinfully topped with butter and ghee, the Four Uttappam deal with onion, pudina and mango, the crispy Rava Dosa and the Puri Upma or Buggani.  

The Four-Uttapam deal works like this. The uttapams are fermented lentil flour pancakes served with lentil stew and
coconut chutney. Four such pancakes are served in a single plate, with varieties of chutney at the centre. The pancakes are garnished with curry leaves, onion slices, gunpowder, mango and cocunut powder.

Buggani is a well-known Andhra breakfast recipe made of puffed rice, to which chilli paste, turmeric powder and curry leaves are added. This is saut�ed on a medium fire, making it hot and spicy. Brown in colour, it is a South Indian version of the popular bhel puri and is ideal for a light breakfast.

Chutney's also has a buffet hall upstairs, which is a good deal at Rs 124. 

The restaurant doesn't exactly qualify for the 'economy' category, though most people seem to think it's worth it. But if you think Rs 22 is too much to pay for a plate of idlis, please allow Chutney's to convince you otherwise. They put up a strong case. 
 
Address
Chutney's
Shilpa Arcade
Road No 3
Banjara Hills
Hyderabad -- 500 034

Phones: (040) 23350569, 23358484, 55578651

Sunil Ravinder, 23, is a software engineer with an MNC in Hyderabad.

~ Do you live to eat? Join the Eating Out group

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