I've been MIA for a short while because my social calendar in the first half of November was all over the place. It is only this weekend that I've managed to find my bearings and the first thing on my agenda is getting back to blogging 😁

Nestled in the heart of Little India, Podi & Poriyal is an offering from Arpanam Pte Ltd, a social enterprise, started by the Nadathur Family in Singapore. Arpanam aims to provide enriching experiences that celebrate Indian culture, art, traditions and customs. 

The restaurant is housed in a pre-war heritage building with a brick facade diagonally opposite to the Sri Srinivasa Perumal temple in Little India. The location is relatively less crowded and quieter compared to the eateries located closer to Mustafa Centre and the Little India Arcade. 

On entering the warm and inviting space, you feel transported to an upscale family-run eatery in a small South-Indian town. Even though the size of the space is small, it is clean and tastefully done. I loved the wooden pillars at the entrance, the wall art made up of traditional vessels, the vibrant wallpaper and the different varieties of exterior + interior patterned floor tiles. The walnut-hued wooden accents, interesting ethnic elements and sober earthy colors lend a calming vibe to the space. 

All the decor elements including light fixtures, fabric blinds, upholstery fabrics, curated contemporary art and framed photographs of yesteryears add to the cultural appeal of the restaurant. 

For the unversed, 'Podi' refers to a spice blend in Southern India, one that is sprinkled on food to spike the flavor profile of a dish. Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadi use the term 'Podi' whereas in Karnataka the equivalent term is 'Pudi'. On the other hand, 'Poṟiyal' is a Tamil word for any fried, or sometimes sautéed, vegetable dish (in Kannada the same thing is called 'Palya'). It is usually made by shallow frying shredded or diced vegetables and greens along with spices. 

Podi & Poriyal offers diners a menu of wholesome South Indian vegetarian fare. Re-establishing long forgotten South Indian recipes is at the heart of this restaurant. The menu changes constantly, is carefully crafted and offers an assortment of homely meals and snacks. Also, the restaurant highlights different types of food depending on the time of day. Set meals and regional snacks are offered during lunchtime and evening respectively. Eclectic cocktails and bar snacks are available in the evening. My husband and I need to return to check it out 😁

At the heart of the kitchen at Podi & Poriyal is Jamuna paatti who draws inspiration from the recipes of her own childhood and reflects fresh, nutritious food. Her meticulously planned menu includes healthy alternatives to rice, with fresh seasonal vegetables cooked in authentic South Indian spices which are a treat for the senses. The restaurant kitchen steers away from using artificial colours, preservatives, MSG, or the use of aluminium vessels. All dishes are geared towards wellness, freshly prepared with no microwaving involved. Healthier substitutes such as rock salt, coconut sugar, raw sugar and jaggery are used in their preparations. Also worth noting is that Podi & Poriyal is a low-gluten restaurant with several of their dishes being gluten-free. Also, there are dishes that are indicated as vegan.