Chennai - War of the Dals

Its been over 1 year today since I bade farewell to the carnivorous side of my appetite. As a mark of the same, I thought I should list down the 5 best destinations for the one dish that has kept me good company as my staple restaurant pick for the past 1 year - Dal Makhni / Kali Dal / Black Dal, call it what you like! Enjoyed best with any form of roti or Jeera Pulav.

Following is the order of restaurants in Chennai which get my "pulse" racing:

1. Sigree
By far the best dal in the city - sometimes a little excess on the butter but always thick, rich and a never miss!

Address & Phone: #144/145, Hotel Quality Inn Aruna, 5th Floor, Sterling Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600034. Ph:42664222

2. Copper Point (read full review)
A brand new entrant into the list and how! I was pleasantly surprised at how the medium thick, not-so-rich Dal Makhni stirred up such a rage on my last visit to this recently made over restaurant.

Address & Phone: GRT Grand, 120, Sir Thyagaraya Road, T. Nagar, Chennai - 600 017. Ph: 28150500 / 28155500

3. Peshawri
An all time Chennai favourite, was clearly the best destination for kali dal for over 10 years till the younger challengers came about. Still manages to retain its unique flavor and taste thanks to certain special cooking techniques.

Address & Phone: Hotel Chola Sheraton, Cathedral Road, Gopalapuram, Chennai - 600086. Ph: 28110101

4. Copper Chimney
The only multi grain dal to make it to this list, despite multi grains not winning much favor with me, the Copper Chimney kali dal has always been a mouth watering accompaniment to their excellent array of Indian breads.

Address & Phone: 74, Cathedral Road, Gopalapuram, Chennai - 600086. Ph: 28115770

5. Kabul
While the restaurant itself has gone through its highs and lows with the Chennai crowd, Kabul's 'Dal Kabul' has consistent, for over the 15 years that its been in business now.

Address & Phone: 35, TTK Road, Chennai 600018. Ph: 24996761