CHENNAI: For Malayalis in the city, this Onam is a season of hope. While festivities were put on hold due to Covid-19 last year, this time families are celebrating the occasion amid fewer curbs while adhering to safety protocols. And hotels, restaurants and even bistros are joining in, offering takeaway sadyas and restricted dine-in options.
The Malayalee Club will have its Ona sadhya (feast) on Thursday, and a cultural event with a live band from Kerala on Saturday, Thiruvonam. "We have a restaurant at the club and will serve a sadya there. Only a few members will be attending and we will be following all safety protocols," says former president M Nanda Govind.
Kappa Chakka Kandhari (KCK) is offering 'Onasadhya - Feast in a Box' on Friday and Saturday.
"We decided to have takeaways and deliveries... as there is a lot of human interaction while serving the feast. We wanted to avoid crowding," says chef Regi Mathew, co-owner and culinary director of KCK, adding that he has got a team of Namboodiri cooks from Kerala. "They came much earlier and finished their quarantine."
The box will serve five people. "There are 26 dishes and all the food is packed in stainless steel containers and then put in a thermacol bag so it remains hot. If people return the vessels, we will give 500 back," he says.
JHind restaurant at Grand Chennai by GRT is also offering Ona sadya from Thursday to Sunday for lunch only while GRT Cloud Kitchens has takeaway sadyas on Saturday and Sunday. "We are getting back to celebrating life again. Last Onam, we were unsure of what Covid is but this year we know how to deal with it," says Vikram Cotah, CEO, GRT Hotels & Resorts, adding that the restaurant will function at 50% capacity.
Jignesh Pujara, founder-owner of Lyfe by Soul Garden Bistro, says a dine-in option available at the Kilpauk outlet from Friday to Sunday. "We have a team of south Indian chefs , who will dish up the sadya, which has around 20 dishes," he says.
Svasa is serving an authentic Ona sadya as well as a Jain version with no onion or garlic on Saturday and Sunday.
