Yes, you read it right. There is a new kid in the block, err a new Novotel in the city, that too on Chamiers Road [ almost adj to Times Now office].. Was at dinner at their resturant Food Exchange [the name had me surprised cos in other Novotel hotels, the restaurant is called The Square] .. The minute you walk out the elevator, you are greeted by giant doors that lead the way into a restaurant that is large, spacious with multiple sections and different kinds of seating options. All along the walls are shelves lined with interesting knick knacks, with one wall carrying different sauces and condiments used in the restaurant.
Right in the middle of the place is the open kitchen [ a good sized space, but they should relook at their exhaust system, there were moments we were coughing cos of the smoke coming from the Tandoor]...
Coming down to the most important part, the food, the Chef at the helm of things is Chef Kalaiselvan who is here after working across Dubai and various other places.. Over the weekends you are in for the Buffet while other days it is a la carte. The bar is just being set up- Gourmet bar, and they are yet to get booze license, so we settled for mocktails. The first drink I was served was an Almond milk based coffee which wasnt that great [ maybe I am just not the almond milk kinda gal], but the second one was good - Delicious Sour [made with peach, apricot, lemon and soda] which as my friend noted, came without a garnish...
Going on to food, am going to let the photos do the talking.... [Comments & inputs along with the photograph]
The open kitchen
The Almond milk coffee drink...not really my thing..
Delicious Sour- refreshing and light..
Chilli honey lotus stem- was crunchy and chewy [maybe fried too long]
Paneer Tikka served with green chutney- good and familiar flavours.
Burnt garlic veg soup- Loved loved the burnt garlic flavours.. perfect if you have a bad cold
Mushroom velouté with porcini oil- you know me, you know how much I love
Mushrooms. This was yummilicious
The bar menu...
Gnocchi with basil pesto, shaved Parmesan in Sage butter sauce - It was heavenly, pillowy and melt in your mouth...
Mushroom ravioli with garlic bread - perfectly cooked ravioli , good flavour of mushrooms and simple sauce...
The garlic bread- it was soft and crisp on the edges.. Loved the bowl it was served in
Veg pizza- red olives, basil, simple tomato sauce and mascarpone cheese
Jasmine rice with Thai green curry- My absolutely favourite food in the whole wide world and it was delicious... non veg folks have red prawn curry to dig into..
The dessert platter - Brownie, tender coconut payasam parfait;
Oreo cheesecake and Double chocolate mousse[the one with ring on top] - was a mixed bag of flavours and textures, but overall found most of them tad too sweet for my liking [ am more the dark bitter chocolate kinda person]
Next time you are in the city and looking for a new place to explore, you should hop into Novotel and Food Exchange... Apart from the Thai & Italian cuisine, they also offer a range of Indian dishes ... Go ahead, give it a shot and let me know how your experience was..
Address:
Novotel Chamiers
11, Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar Rd,
Rathna Nagar, Nandanam, Chennai- 600035
Phone: 044 2430 2333
Disclaimer: The reviews posted on this blog are based on my personal experience. Also remember these were just my views!! Remember, no two palates are the same. Bon Appétit :-)
