Kalimuthu Chithambaram talks South Indian cuisine, rookie owner lessons on Four Bites Show

Post author:Andrew Galarneau
Post published:March 17, 2024
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Nellai Banana Leaf partner and IT pro on what makes Chettinad cooking distinct from WNY Indian menus

Kalimuthu Chithambaram and fellow South Indian banking IT workers opened Nellai Banana Leaf in 2019

In 2019, Nellai Banana Leaf opened in the southeast corner of Main and Transit, giving Western New Yorkers access to a distinctly different flavor of Indian food.

“One is lucky to eat like a Chettiar,” is a South Indian axiom for a reason. Chettinad cuisine was available no closer than Toronto. Until Kalimuthu Chithambaram and other Tamil Nadu natives, in Buffalo as banking sector tech workers, decided to invest in Nellai Banana Leaf.

South Indian specialties like dosas, idly, and appam are part of Nellai’s core attraction, plus the sour-sweet leanings of Chettinad cooking, which run from vegan to meaty dishes.

Chithambaram joins me at 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 18. Join the chat by clicking this link.

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