every year i am eager for ramadan to start, because it is one of the best time to explore and feast on food that is close to the heart of muslims. every year, since i was 13 years old i've been buying iftar boxes. i've been a zaitoon loyalist until last year, when the lockdown was put up, forcing me to switch to abid's, and oh boy that was a wonderful decision. abid's is by far the best iftar box in chennai. priced at 490, they give 2 servings of nombu kanji, 2 servings of haleem, 1 serving of chicken biryani, 2 servings of bread halva, mutton samosas, spring roll, grape juice and dates. despite the lack in variety that their competitors offer, they surely make up for it in quality. the samosas and spring rolls are crisp, filled with meat and a very flavour rich masala. the nombu kanji is definitely very hearty. rich, wholesome, a bit of heat from the spices and small bits of meat make it a complete dish. thehaleemis by far the best. fatty, meaty, smoky and filling, a squeeze of lime on top gives it an extra zing that cuts through your palate, giving your senses an nice surprise. the biriyani is definitely of a top quality. good meat to rice ratio. the chicken was soft, well marinated and the rice was well done, masala was slightly spicy, and has all the elements of a good chicken biryani. the bread halwa was also great! the sweetness from the khoa, the richness of the ghee, the difference in textures between the softness of the soaked bits and the crunchy parts of the fried bread plays with your senses.
definitely a complete meal. what other restaurants show in terms of variety of dishes, abid's simply blows it out of the park in terms of quality of food and quantity as well. well worth the 490.