This review is about Rajakiyam (king’s meal) that is served during lunch. Though a la carte menu exists, Rajakiyam is the key attraction of Sanjeevanam.
Caveat emptor: It is strongly recommended that the prospective eater check what he/she is going in for ( cholayilsanjeevanam.com/health_res.htm) and have expectations accordingly. This is supposedly health meal, not your regular run-of-the-mill tandoor-baked bread and greasy gravy meal.
Review starts here
Apparently, in line with Ayurvedic (or is it Naturotherapic?) principles, the meal has no onion, no garlic, no red chilies and no oil. Yes, you heard it, right - no oil. I hear you ask, "Food must be bland, right?".
Sorry, it is anything but. As long you are not there expecting deep-fried items with a smearing of gongura chatni, you are in for a treat. After downing juice shots in an Arabic order (right to left), you are served raw food (salads and the like), which you are supposed to eat left to right. Next come the partly-cooked or steamed vegetables, followed by fully-cooked ones.
Red rice, paruppu/dal, rasam, buttermilk, etc. follow. White (regular) rice is available as well. The sweet dish, a gooey porridge of red rice boiled in jaggery water taste sublime. At the end, a drop of honey to assist digestion - not that you will need it. This is probably the first time you will have 25+ dishes and not feel like your stomach is about to burst.
Of course, beware: As per the serving principles, water is not to be consumed during intake of solid food. They do not give you water until the end.
Will I visit it again
Yes, I do. Self and a devoted group of people at work used to visit the Adyar branch once every three weeks.
Customer Service
A few years back, the service used to be good what with the waiters introducing the tenets behind the meal to the newcomers and serving big helpings. All that is gone and you have to wait or wave for attention even when the place is not full and the portions are smaller, albeit you can ask for a refill (except on a couple of items) any number of times.
For kids
Rajakiyam is not for kids, best to order a la carte items for them - these are typically mild and very kid-friendly.