It’s lunch time and the ‘noruks’ nook is abuzz. A handful of boiled peanuts and crispy treats like thattai and murukku are thrown in, topped with pomegranate and sev to make a delicious peanut chaat, later served in an earthy coconut shell.

Put Kadalai Cafe, now at a brand new handle in Race Course, has its cheerful vibe intact with a decor themed on peanuts, ample greenery round, and an open air eating within the first flooring the place a mild breeze from neem timber washes over diners as they get pleasure from a karuppatti milk shake or beach sundal. “We constructed the brand new place from scratch to recreate the acquainted vibe,” says Nisha Venkat, one of many founders of the cafe, over plates of rooster soften toasties, falafel burger, and rooster curryza the place the pizza comes on a fluffy parotta base.

“We love peanuts. Isn’t it a more healthy various to chips and fries?” asks Nisha reflecting on the journey that began in 2018 over an off-the-cuff dialog together with her pal Vidhyaa Senthilkumar. Priyanka Sundar, founding father of P&S Group of Corporations has come on board as an investor. “As a part of Sri Aarvee Motels we’ve got been related to the catering trade for a very long time. Aarvee’s Amravathi was one of many oldest drive-in inns in Coimbatore,” says Priyanka, whose firm additionally runs 80 business canteens throughout the nation catering to giant scale IT corporations, faculties, colleges, hospitals. It was a pure step to be related to a model pushed by good well being.

“From a snacky place, Put Kadalai has turn into a restaurant in its new avatar with thrilling additions like ragi brownies, nachos made in-house from scratch, refreshing salads, stir-fried greens, all pushed by clear elements,” says Priyanka including that minimising meals wastage is a precedence in her catering operations which has now been prolonged throughout to the cafe too.

A drizzle of peanuts complement most dishes
| Photograph Credit score:
Particular Association

Nisha and Vidya spent over a yr researching peanuts. And the result’s as many as 15 styles of peanuts starting from flavours as numerous as fiery chilli caramel, and decadent hot chocolate, to tangy puliogre and chatpata tandoori masala. “Peanut is rooted and native, however we make it enjoyable. We’re proudly native with an infusion of native elements and flavour,” says Nisha including that the bunny chow is impressed by a South African dish created by Indians. The bun is scooped out and full of panneer, keema or Pallipalayam rooster and served sizzling with a sprinkling of crispy peanuts on it.

Says Vidya, “From day one, the main focus has been to serve meals that’s pure with none preservatives and guilt-free; one thing which I’d give my youngsters and members of the family.”

Kavuniarisi salad
| Photograph Credit score:
Particular Association

Whereas the brand new menu just isn’t restricted to peanuts, it enhances the dishes like a drizzle on prime so as to add a crunch. For instance, a falafel burger that includes a pan-fried falafel patty brings a crunchy patty with heat, toasted panini bread and savoury sauces and crushed peanuts to create a hearty vegetarian meal.

Apart from an elaborate sandwich menu, and burgers, there are plans so as to add rice bowls, vegan choices as nicely and in addition cater to prospects with dietary preferences. “Smoothie bowls is on the playing cards for breakfast and chocolatey desserts apart from brownies and panangkarupatti mousse. We additionally make our personal blends for tea. It’s ready the standard method for each order. Each little element counts to make the expertise memorable. We give attention to flavour first than presentation,” she explains.

After I chunk into French toast, I’m reminded of kadalai mittai. The kadalai mittai is deconstructed and served with caramel sauce, and caramel peanuts crumbs on prime. I additionally strive the healthful and hearty karuppu kavuni salad, impressed by the Asian black rice. Made with mango and avocado and served with tadka and grated coconut garnish and peanut crumbs on prime, it makes a meal in itself. “We adhere to moral sourcing of peanuts from throughout the nation to showcase the various vary. For many different elements we go native and seasonal,” says Nisha.

The target, they are saying, is to nurture group. “Once we shut down the previous outlet, we have been flooded with calls. It was overwhelming. One of many prospects shared the way it was the primary place he introduced his girlfriend over. Numerous actual property brokers advised us they sealed offers right here. We need to foster an area the place there’s reside music, ebook studying, and enjoyable conversations over crunchy peanuts,” says Nisha, including, “And construct reminiscences collectively.”

Open from 10.30am to 10.30pm. A meal for 2 prices roughly ₹600. For particulars, name 9626213551

Printed – October 25, 2025 05:46 pm IST