Where Chefs Eat: Saadi’s Saavni Krishnan and Sriram Aditya Share the City’s Best Value Indian Buffet

Partners Saavni Krishnan and Sriram Aditya are the chef power couple behind Saadi, an Indian pop-up that has taken over some of city’s coolest venues including Arnold’s, Hope St Radio, Sleepy’s and Hot-Listed Public Wine Shop.

Krishnan (ex- Manze) and Aditya (ex- Gemini) are currently in the middle of a month-long residency in the former Sunda space, which wraps up at the end of May. It’s the longest Saadi has stayed in one place, and a way to test if they can grow the concept into a permanent restaurant.

We caught up with the duo between service to find out where (and what) they’ve been eating in Melbourne lately.

What’s your favourite bakery?

Aditya: We love Monforte for the amazing viennoiseries and the fact that Giorgia [McAllister Forte] can churn out such a varied offering from such a small space. We also like Ovens Street for the sourdough and the weekly special sandwiches.

What’s your go-to breakfast spot?
Saavni: We both love Japanese cuisine, so Kombu near Queen Victoria Market, and 279 are our favourites for breakfast.

What’s your favourite ice-cream or gelato spot?
Saavni: Luther’s Scoops in Brunswick is our go-to and I always pick the brown butter cheesecake ice-cream. Adi chooses what he wants on the day.

What Melbourne restaurant do you think is the most underrated?
Aditya: Vex Dining in Northcote is a place where everyone should go for dinner, Flo [Ribul]’s food is just amazing.

Where do you go for date night?

Aditya: We rarely get to go on date nights, but when we do, it’s a very special occasion for us and these are our top picks: Arnold’s, Embla and Bar Olo. Above Board also does really good cocktails and the space is very cute and cosy.

Where do you go for Indian food?
Aditya: Nizam’s in North Melbourne does a really good butter chicken, Hyderabad House in Geelong for the best value all-you-can-eat buffet, and we go to Pista House in Coburg for sweets.

What’s the best place for a late-night feed?
Aditya: Al Kababji in Coburg does a really good late-night shawarma.

What’s a fine diner in Melbourne you’d love to go to, or go back to?
Saavni: It is slightly outside Melbourne, but our meal at Greasy Zoe’s is one that’s stuck with us and we would love to go back there soon.

What’s your bucket list restaurant?
Aditya: Ours are Barragunda Dining on the Mornington Peninsula and Chauncy in Heathcote.