Chef Vijay Kumar Poennusamy Returns to His Roots
Vijay Kumar Poennusamy is a familiar name in the culinary world. He began his journey 15 years ago with his first restaurant, Flavors, in South India. After moving to the United States in 2011, he worked as a caterer, bringing his passion for food to new audiences. Now, he is excited to return to his restaurateur roots with his new venture, Chettinad’s Indian Restaurant.
Poennusamy, along with his wife Kalpana Vijay Kumar and co-owners Anusudha Senthilkumar and Senthilkumar Jayapalan, will open the doors to Chettinad’s on Friday.
Convenient Location in Stanley Square
Chettinad’s will be located at 8018 W. 151st St., within the Stanley Square shopping center, just off West 151st Street and U.S. Highway 69. This space was previously occupied by Sportswear Etc., which moved to Heatherwood Village shopping center in 2018.
Restaurant Hours
Once open, Chettinad’s will operate from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. On Fridays, the hours will be 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The restaurant will offer a weekend breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., along with the same lunch and dinner hours as Friday.
A Taste of South India
The menu at Chettinad’s will feature popular South Indian dishes, including chicken vindaloo, paneer tikka masala, and vegetable biryani. Guests can also enjoy appetizers and sides like garlic naan, samosas, coconut shrimp, and pepper baby corn.
In addition, Chettinad’s will serve Thali meals, traditional South Indian platters that include rice, curries, vegetables, and breads presented on a large banana leaf. The restaurant’s name, Chettinad’s, is derived from a region in Tamil Nadu, known for its rich culinary heritage.
Commitment to Authenticity
The owners are committed to providing the authentic flavors of Indian cuisine, specifically Chettinad cuisine. “We want to give all of our food the real flavor of India,” said Senthilkumar. “We don’t want to compromise on quality.”
Filling a Local Gap
While Overland Park has several Indian restaurants, Chettinad’s will specialize in cuisine from Tamil Nadu, the southernmost state in India. The owners have noted that many dishes they plan to offer are not commonly found in other Indian restaurants in the Kansas City metro area.
With the opening of Chettinad’s, Poennusamy looks forward to satisfying the cravings of local residents. “This has been in the making for five months, and people have been asking, ‘When is Chettinad’s opening?’ Now it’s finally happening,” he said.
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