Kryptos by Willii, Chennai

Greece is a destination that is on my "I dream to visit" list. I dont know if I ever will, but I do dream of it often enough. And so being here, at the 1st Greek restaurant to hit Chennai, Kryptos is always a memorable one.. The restaurant has been serving up a range of good food for years now. They have a salad bar that puts all others to shame and the salad bar is completely veg, ranging from different kinds of olives, it has just about everything you can think of and some more. I have been to this restaurant quite a few times and enjoyed meals with friends and family.  [Read earlier reviews here] 

Today, we were looking forward to something different. We were not going to go towards the Salad bar, but were instead going to try a few dishes from the select menu. For us vegetarians, the meal began with a nice big bowl of Soup of Asparagus which was yumm.. Loved the texture and the flavours. 

Following that, we had a Mezze platter that consisted of 4 different kinds of starter items- one with mushroom filling, another with pumpkin, and then there was the traditional Falafal. All this served alongside a spoon of traditional deep fried aubergines with cream sauce. Similarly, the non veg eaters had a mezze platter that held fish, chicken, calamari and beef.. 

 Amidst fun conversations and good food, before we knew it, our plates were filled with interesting looking dishes. One was the spinach and feta pie [made with a base and wall of phyllo pastry that was crunchy and buttery], we also got to sample the Colour bell peppers stuffed with rice and pine nuts and Paneer on skewers. Not to forget the bowl of absolutely delicious potato wedges. 

We were fairly stuffed and done for the evening, but wait, the piece de resistance was on its way. It was time for desserts, and there we saw plates of the infamous Panna cotta and baklava make its way to our places. The panna cotta had Apricot jam with pieces on it and it was yumm.. The Baklava was sweet and filled with dry fruits with sheets of phyllo pastry on top and bottom. While many ordered tea and coffee, it was time for me to head home and so I made a silent exit. As I made my way up the stairs towards the exit, I could hear the conversations continue.... 

Price: A meal for two should cost close to Rs 1000... 

Timing: 12:30–3:30 pm, 6:30–11:30 pm

Kryptos by Willi

#24, Khader nawaz khan road
Nungambakkam
Chennai- 600006
Ph: 044 4503 8001

Disclaimer:The reviews posted on this blog are based on my personal experience. Also remember that restaurants and eat outs sometimes change with time, so does their food and service. So, kindly consider these factors while visiting the places. Remember, no two palates are the same. Bon Appétit  :-)

Kryptos by Willi

L-R: salad bar, the long table, the menu, pasta salad and bowl of pitted olives

The last time i was here, the earth shook. No, i am not exaggerating, it was the day we felt the strong tremors in Chennai and pretty much across the country [the quake that occrured in Indonesia]. There we were, a whole bunch of us enjoying a relaxed lunch when i felt the tremor, told those around me who mocked and cracked, but dint believe a word i said , till we walked out and saw the entire city out on the streets..  

And here i was again, at Kryptos by Willi, this time for dinner with another group of lovely friends. Oh yes, the highlight was i finally got to sit at the majestic granite table representing the Greek community concept.

After the initial smiles, Hi, Hello, Hey, long time no see, i got comfortable and before i knew it, time had flown by, the watch showed me 10.00 and this Cindrella had to head home :-)

The menu was new, the menu card, rather book was new, and the surprise was it had all the items on the menu in English and Tamil. Vipin said they are redoing all their menu cards to have both languages and it has been a hit with the customers. I can think of a few who'll be kicked to see tamil names at such restaurants.

 

The different dips on the table  and the 3 salad dressings[bottom left]

We opened the dinner with a drink, and then the food kept coming, conversation kept flowing, we spoke about everything from the power situation in the city, to the restaurant scene to Frisbee and even Roof top film festival [RTFF]. Of the 15 on the table, there were a few who were hard core foodies, there were the few who were hooked on their cameras, letting the others patiently wait with empty plates before they could sample the delightful looking dishes and there were some who were meat-o-maniacs who actually relished the veg salad and dishes..

Kryptos has quite a Salad spread, which is all veg and quite a treat for the eye and the tummy. Colours catch your eye as you walk down the salad bar, with plates heaped with vegetables, dips (Hummus, Tzatziki) different kinds of olives, and a tasty simple sandwich [zucchini, lettuce, colour capsicums and even aubergine (yes, brinjal,. but it sounds better and exotic when i say it otherwise, right?). Oops, there were also different kinds of cheeses- Mozerella, Feta and few more.  This salad bar is a meal on its own- yes, you read it right and if you dont believe me, go on head over to Kryptos and give it a try!!

L to R- Piperies gemistes,  Pilaf, Jacket potatoes and Mashed potatoes

No sooner had we sat down to enjoy our salads, the staff brought forth a few vegetarian and non vegetarian starters. The table was long, and there were so many of us that there were pockets of conversation happening from one end to the other. The beautiful thing about our group is we connect with each other so well that there are no awkward silences or pauses, wondering what to talk about, and i was meeting a few for the 1st time, but it was chilled out as always. Vipin & his wife Somna joined us along with few others from their team, adding to the evening's charm. 

L- Beef meatballs in tomato sauce & R- Kolios sto fourno [ oven baked mackerel]

Ok, back to food.. like the curtain at a live performance, we noticed dishes appearing slowly, teasing our senses one by one. I saw a bowl of mashed potato appear, following which a plate of Jacket potatos [three giant potatos sitting snug in aluminium foils]. And a plate with a black terracota pot landed in front of me, and i had to see what was inside, it was mackarel [fish]. I did notice the guys devoured the plates of Chicken and beef within minutes asking for refills.. :-)  Vipin & Somna made sure there was not an empty plate on the table and gave us free reign.. yes, that is how amazing they are!

Wait, am not done... We havent even hit the main dishes yet- there was the bowl of hot Pilaf [rice with a tinge of garlic flavour], coloured capsicum stuffed with rice and pine nuts in a tomato sauce [ believe me when i say the rice and capsicum complimented each other beautifully, it was subtle, no sttrong flavours and simple], and aubergine baked dish. Hmm, have i left anything out? I cant remember...

L to R:  Tiropitakia is the phyllo pastries with savoury cheese filling, Papoutsakia [Eggplant /aubergine halves with a mix of onion,garlic and tomoato topped with white sauce and cheese], non veg mezze platter and Gemista [vegetable patties]

Almost done, but but we were all looking forward to the dessert. It was the infamous Baklava and Moist Chocolate pie, i personally prefer the Baklava over the chocolate [not really a chocolate person you see].... Phew, what an evening it had been. While many ordered coffee and tea, i declined the offer knowing i shall get my caffeine kick around midnight before calling it a day.

Baklava and Moist chocolate Pie

Bidding adieu to all,  i left the restaurant with the voices floating in the air. 

Food- 9/10
Ambience- 9/10
Service- 9.5/10
Price- A meal for 2 covering 3 courses will run a bill of about Rs1200 - Rs1300

Address:
Kryptos
#24, Khader nawaz khan road
Nungambakkam
Chennai- 600006
Ph: 044 4503 8001
Its at the basement in the same building as Atmosphere, opp where Mocha used to be.

Tuscana, Chamiers Road

Italian food ranks on top among my favourite cuisines and Tuscana on Wallace garden had me at the 1st slice of pizza i bit into. So, when i was invited to lunch at their newly opened outlet in Chamier's Road, i was more than happy to go.

 

 The wooden archway at the entrance and the ambiance inside are quite inviting. Unlike the Wallace Garden outlet, the ambiance here is quite informal and casual.. There is a small waiting room, and 2 rooms with tables in them, all together can probably seat close to 30people. There is a Red scooter in the passage along with other little touches that add to the whole Italian feel. 

We started with Focacccia all' Aglio e Cipolla [focaccia bread with roasted garlic & onions] and thin crust Pizza Potto e Brocolli [broccoli, caramelized onions & potato], followed by an All vegetables Pizza [yellow, green, red bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and tomatoes]. The non veg Pizza Americana looked interesting and i did steal a basil leaf from one of them :)

Amidst a lot of talking, sharing experiences ranging from Travel, Politics, food and others, main courses arrived. Since we were a fairly large group [nearly 10], we were offered quite a few options- both in veg and non veg.

 Large prawns

 Polenta Pasticciata

The main course for us vegetarians was Polenta Pasticciata [Baked Polenta casserole with Porcini, tomato, basil with Fresh mozzarella & pecorino] and Impilata di Verdue Arrosto [ Pumpkin, zucchini, sweet peppers and Bocconcini cheese layered with napoletana sauce]. For the others, there were 2 dishes - Chicken  breast escalopes  and Large Prawns[which by the looks on their faces, they loved...]. There was quite an amount of food, and we devoured every morsel with delight.

And then ofcourse came the delightful desserts, which looked sinful and must say tasted just as good...

 Torta di Cioccolato di Fusione

 Torta Soffice Di melle

Tiramisu

There was the Tiramisu [ which is probably among the best that i've eaten so far], Torta Soffice Di melle [ Apple cake with lemon and almost custard cream sauce] that was divine with every mouthful. And then the show stopper- Torta di Cioccolato di Fusione [.warm chocolate cake with melted chocolate in the center served on a dark chocolate sauce]...  I know the names of all these desserts sound like tongue twisters, but mind you, it was irresistable... Gooey, warm and yumm!!

The meal was wonderful- Good food, good company, and a lovely place! Perfect for a group lunch/dinner. The food is light and dint make me sleepy or heavy.

Service: Excellent.
Ambiance- Casual, informal, cosy
Location- Almost adjacent to Park Sheraton Hotel, Adyar.. [For those who live on the other side of town, do visit Tuscana in Wallace Garden ,or Kryptos in Khader Nawaz Khan road]

I am sure to be visiting either of the Tuscana outlets soon and frequently! I have been to Kryptos in KNK road once, and what we had was good.

Psst- This lunch was a treat by Vipin Sachdeva for us bloggers.... Thank you Vipin & Neha for the wonderful experience!