Ruchi Wasn’t Built in a Day

By The Reluctant Reviewer

I was, perhaps, over-eager to try Ruchi, the new South Indian restaurant that opened earlier this year on Third Street.  I had stopped in for a bite when they had literally just opened and realized I should give them a bit more time to get settled before I could give an ample appraisal.  Now complete with a sweeping menu featuring a wide array of Dosas, Curries, Tandoor, Rice & Biryanis, this place is ready for business!

The friendly and attentive staff is reason enough to keep me coming back but special credit must go out to the charming owner, Chinni. Lovable, funny, genuine… there just aren’t enough adjectives to describe this bright soul of a woman who also owns the place. Her genuine spirit bounces from table to table welcoming her customers and directing their palates to her own South Indian favorites.

On my last visit I tried the Idli appetizer which is a steamed rice patty made by steaming a batter of fermented black lentils and rice.  The idli was served with two different chutneys – my favorite was the tomato chutney which had a lip-smacking spicy flavor but the coconut chutney was also delish.  It also came with a side of sambar which is kind of like a vegetable stew – next time I need some comfort food on a rainy day, just give me a big bowl of sambar.

On Chinni’s recommendation I also tried the Chicken Chettinadu, a dish originating from the area of Tamilnadu and you could tell this was one of those down-home dishes that had been passed down for generations.  The sauce made of lentils, coconut, ginger and garlic tasted like it had been developing for days with the melt-in-your mouth tender chicken.  Some Paneer Naan and zesty Vegetable Biryani with more delicious sauces and Raita to cool off between bites were a lovely complement to the meal.  I topped everything off with coconut water served in a young coconut and was delighted when Chinny offered to split open my finished beverage so that I could enjoy the tender coconut shavings as a sweet finish.

I will definitely be coming back here to check out more of the homestyle cuisine and I can’t wait to try out each and every one of their 8 different dosa creations.  They also have a fabulous Thali Lunch Special (featured in photo) which is truly a feast fit for Devaraja.  They offer plenty of vegetarian or vegan options for lunch, dinner, or anytime you need a little Indian comfort food. Check out Ruchi’s full menu here, or just stop in and their gracious staff will lead you to fulfillment.

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The Reluctant Reviewer is a new food critic exclusively for LiveSOMA.com. Click here to check out her other reviews.