Former president A P J Abdul Kalam made a surprise visit to his favourite vegetarian restaurant in the arterial Anna Salai in Chennai for dinner on Thursday night putting security personal into tenterhooks.

Arriving at the 'Annalakshmi Hotel' around 10 pm, which he used to visit frequently before becoming the president, Kalam waited for over 30 minutes for one of his scientist friends from Indian Space Research Organisation and mingled freely with the people there.

One of the diners went up to Kalam for his autograph, hotel management sources said.

Kalam relished his food with delicious sambar, rasam and bonda, before leaving the restaurant at around 11.45 pm, they said.

The management did not forget to serve his favourite dish of vatha kuzhambu and papad.