Delhi 6 Festival at ITC Grand Chola, Chennai - 9th -18th May

What comes to your mind when I say “Delhi 6”? C’mon, lets be honest, you thought of Abhishek Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor or Masakkali right?  So, now when I add the word “food” to “Delhi 6”, what comes to your mind? Hmm, I like that puzzled look. It tells me you are not very familiar with Delhi and its areas. Well, if you were someone who has been to Delhi, or is a foodie you would know that it refers to the food zone in Delhi- Chandni Chowk, the paranthe wali gulley and the region around that is famous for the chaat and other local treats. 

ITC Grand Chola has brought in their very own/renowned Chef Gunjan Goela to host the Delhi 6 festival here. It is available for Dinner only (between 7 pm to 11:30 pm) at Madras Pavilion (Dinner Buffet at INR 1700   plus applicable taxes) while at Cafe Mercara Express (Full Square Meal at INR 1050 plus applicable taxes)

I had the privilege of visiting Grand Chola and sampling some of the dishes the day before it went Live. I also got the opportunity to meet the Chef and spend some time chatting with her. What a memorable evening that was.  It was insightful, interesting and she patiently answered all my crazy questions and so much more. The menu was divided into three main sections- street food, home-style mains and sweets.

The evening began with the light Pineapple panna [a twist on the regular aam panna] subsequent to which we also had a cocktail made with Vodka and Passion fruit juice, which was quite a drink. And then came the chic looking plate of Gol Gappe [ pani puri or Paani ke Bataashe as she calls it], the puri were seated on a nice little plate while the pani was served in a little cup. It was beautiful and quite different from the pani puri we get around here in Chennai. I could have done an entire meal with just that pani puri.  Before we were done with it, the next dish was slowly making its way to our table. It was a small cup with a colourful sauce on it and a Dahi ki Ghujia hidden under it. Oh boy oh boy, was that delightful or what. Loved the flavours, the raisin, the cashew inside the Ghujia that blended perfectly well with the curd and sauces served alongside.  And then there was the humble Aloo tikki, simple subtle and melt in your mouth divine.. 

During my chat with the chef, I learnt about her association with Grand Chola, how she was instrumental in rolling out the recipes/dishes at Royal Vega and she lived in Chennai for a year or more before moving on. We chit chatted about so many things besides food, it almost felt like we were friends meeting for dinner after years.

While we chatted away, a glass of yellow coloured Thandai arrived at our table. It was so rich and filled with flavours, saffron and badam stood out.  Ah, we felt like we had died and gone to heaven. The Chef was in charge, she kept instructing the staff to bring out the dishes in a particular order and kept tasting them to make sure they were bang on. When I asked her about how long she had been making these recipes, she said it began in the morning; she had made all the 40 dishes herself.  

Back to food, next came different kind of poori- Bedani [ a kind of whole wheat puri] that was served with  Aloo methi ki sabz and a  Tarbooz aur angoor ki subzi [watermelon and grape curry]- ] which had interesting flavours and was not overpoweringfly sweet and then there was the Bhuni Arbi [dry Colocasia curry cooked with spices. We were also served a Seetafal ki sabzi [pumpkin gravy] which i loved, the unique thing about this is that the pumpkin is cooked with the skin on. Chef told us that almost all veggies are cooked with their skin on and the entire menu was onion and garlic free. 

The next in line was the  Gucchi Pulao- Yes, Gucchi, the only Gucci I know is the fashion brand so when I heard it was a plant like Mushroom I was fascinated. It was served in a claypot and was light, fluffly and simply yumm. The Gucchi [morrel] were black flattish things that had a distinct flavour which you could taste in the pulao as well. I loved it.

We were stuffed and ready to just roll over and sleep, but the Chef had something else waiting to be tried. A dessert platter- a Gulaab Jamun, Ghiya ka halwa [bottle guard halwa], Makhaane ki Kheer [Lotus seed cooked with cream and chopped up pistachio on top] and fresh fruits in cream. I loved the Makhaane ki kheer for it was like nothing I have eaten before.   

The three hours were such bliss, we were grinning away as we walked out of the restaurant towards the lobby.  This was a meal we were sure to remember for a long time to come. The friend who came along was eating those dishes and tasting the flavours for the 1^st time, so he was quiet through the evening.

[Pic courtesy: Karan]

The festival is on till the 18^th of May. So, if you have been craving for some Delhi ka khanna, you know where to head to~

Festival Details:

Dinner only 

Time: between 7 pm to 11:30 pm 

Madras Pavilion - Dinner Buffet at INR 1700   plus applicable taxes

Cafe Mercara Express - Full Square Meal at INR 1050 plus applicable taxes

Address:

ITC Grand Chola 

#63, Mount Road, Guindy, 

Chennai,TN,600032 

Ph- 044 2220 0000

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  :-)

Sunday Brunch at Little Italy, Besant Nagar

A hot cup of Cappuccino 

followed by 

A  bowl of hot sweet delicious mushroom soup

A plate of crunchy nachos with salsa and guacamole

A bite of the cheese & corn balls and 2 kinds of Bruschettas

Oh and the rich jalapeno dip

This is how the brunch began on Sunday!

If you thought these sounded wow, you are in for a surprise with the rest of the items on the menu.

There was freshly baked Focaccia herb bread,  fresh watermelon juice, a whole selection of cold salads- pasta salad, macaroni tomato sauce salad, Greek salad and coleslaw. Hop on to the next section and you see a selection of cheeses [ red chilli, garlic, black pepper and plain] with olives and a tomato+basil+ cheese platter as well

Apart from these, there were 2 kinds of pizzas [one with broccoli and other with vegetables], a Lasagna that was rich & cheesey heaven and the beautiful melody of Rice dishes- Mongolian rice & Mexican rice. Oh wait, there was also the Mongolian noodles which had me smiling [quite a unique blend of flavours]!

For those who love their pasta, there was the live pasta counter where you could get pasta cooked just the way you like them- pick the pasta, pick the veggies, pick the sauce and get cracking..

We are not done yet!! Wait up! Take your pick from the bowl of fruits, or pick up a shot glass or two with some yummy desserts- Mango cheesecake? Strawberry cheesecake? Chocolate mousse or Tiramisu? So many divine treats all in one place, well that is Little Italy for you! We were also privy to an extra dessert- gooey molten lava cake- chocolate cake with gooey center served with a vanilla ice cream that had a drizzle of chocolate sauce over it. 

This Sunday brunch is priced at Rs 699 [all inclusive], I would say this i s total value for money meal.. Enjoy a lazy Sunday morning, savour the dishes while enjoying the music playing overhead.

Address: Little Italy 

E-50, 17th Cross Street, 

[Behind State Bank of Travancore] 

Besant Nagar, 

Chennai -600090 

Ph- +91 89392 95000 

URL: http://littleitaly.in/

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 :-)

Darios and new treats on the menu

A restaurant I love visiting

Heck, my entire family loves this place

Serving up some yummy Italian Pure veg dishes

They serve the most amazing Asparagus Risotto and lime cheese cake.

Enough or need more hints? Am talking about Darios in Kasturi Rangan Road.   I knew most of the staff, the Chef and the man who ran the place. So it was a place I was very comfortable and familiar in.

After a quick chat with Suresh, I learnt they are now in their 2^nd year of operation and so far have been doing good. He was telling us there are days when they don’t expect a major crowd but were in for a surprise with the place packed to the brim. Apart from the indoor air conditioned seating area, they have quite a large space outdoors as well. He went on to tell us they have hosted a party of 100 people, where the meal was completely a la carte. “I don’t believe in Buffet- food isn’t hot and doesn’t do justice in terms of flavour, so we always take order cook and serve”. Impressive! They have a small hall upstairs that can hold about 30-40 people, which is where they held/hold their workshops.  When talking about their kitchen and staff, Suresh stressed how valuable his core team is and they have been together for about 7yrs now, and were reliable & loyal, while he has had quite a few issues with the waiting staff.

Oh and one interesting fact we discovered was that in Pune, there was a Darios outlet that served non veg. 

So, when Suresh was asked if they might include non veg into the menu, he vehemently said “NO, we are established as a pure veg joint and that is how we shall remain”. Way to go, I say!

Tonight he said I should try some of the new dishes, new soup, pizza[Oh and they have whole wheat pizza on the menu] and few other dishes.

The evening opened with a beautiful rich soup- Erba Cipollina [made with leeks, onions and potato], it was thick and filled with flavours. Following this came 3 different starters- Brichitto Messicano [Mexican nachos with cheese sauce], Fungi Darios [Mushrooms stuffed with garlic basil and cheese] and then there was Involtini Sanginiani [crispy spinach rolls filled with rice, sun dried tomato, bell peppers] served with a spinach & cheese sauce.

We devoured these dishes, wiping the plats clean when there came the Salad- Aranciazola [a mix of salad leaves including Rocket, fresh orange, spring onions, gorgonzola cheese, fresh herbs and olives]. It was lovely and refreshing, with quite a few different textures as well. A salad I wouldn’t mind having daily.

While we discussed the Mona Lisa on the walls and the fun we had at the workshops, we saw a huge plate with a thin crust pizza on it land on our table- Pesto Pizza [ thin crust base with pesto sauce topped with bell peppers, potato, sun dried tomato and parmesan shavings]. It was borderline bland, but I liked it, cos the pesto was the King of that pizza. We eagerly waited for the pasta- there was the Ravioli Zarba [ravioli stuffed with potato, cheese and olives served in a rich cheese, colour peppers, walnut sauce] , the showstopper of the evening and the Spaghetti Crastusi [ whole wheat spaghetti with spicy olives, broccoli and mushroom in a creamy tomato sauce], the spicy olives were a surprise, I hadn’t had these before and the Chef brought us a few to see – these were giant olives stuffed with red chillies and packed quite a punch… Wow, what flavours!! Kawobanga…

And then came the piece de resistence… We were served 2 desserts- Blueberry cheese cake[ yummilicious] and the Tiramisu [yumm as always]. What a meal, love the fact that the quality, taste and flavours are exactly the same every single time!

Apart from these, their usual dishes continue to remain on the menu!! If you are looking for a restaurant that serves Pure veg, Italian food, this is where you should head eyes closed.

Dario's Address:

#11, Kasturi Rangan Road,

2nd Street,

Teynampet,

Chennai- 600018

Ph:             044-4919 3333      

URL: http://www.darios.in [you can not only read about the restaurant, but also see the detailed menu]

Landmark: Next to Ashwini Hospital [1st right after the Russian Cultural Centre]

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  :-)

Little Italy, Besant Nagar

Probably the 1^st Pure Veg Italian restaurant in Chennai, Little Italy has held ground for decades, inspite of others restaurants coming up in the same zone. And now few months ago, they have opened a new outlet in Besant Nagar. It is a nice big bungalow that has been remodeled and converted to a restaurant. There is also an open space where candle lit dinners are organized. I have visited the Nungambakkam outlet twice, once just for the salad and other time was for dinner with friends. 

The small lane just ahead of Cascade in Besant Nagar is where you find this restaurant. Go down that road and turn 1^st left and you will be standing in front of the restaurant. A small make shift well stands near the front window with water pouring down a small bucket of sorts [could be a Feng Shui thing], there is also a bench that one can sit and wait in. The interior is quite nice, brick lined walls and subtle lighting and art work on the walls. There are two banquet halls upstairs with a door that can shut off the noise/music from that area.

We were seated in the room on the right side, near the wall -nice cozy place. I loved the fact that the table was not cluttered with spices, sauces and other condiments. The evening began with a plate of their special Grande Nachos- lined with nacho chips with vegetables, refried beans and cheese sauce it was served alongside salsa. The nacho had a lovely bite to them, and was quite delicious. Following suit were two different kinds of crostini/garlic bread- one was an assorted crostini platter [aubergine& olives, zucchini, sun dried tomato & basil and simple cheese] and the other was masala garlic bread.  

The bread was crunchy yet not hard, the toppings were all bursting with unique flavours. My favorite was the one with sun dried tomato and basil. While we were talking about these ingredients, our drinks arrived. It is almost like they had read my mind as I was served a Berry drink made with kiwi, pomegranate and strawberries while few others got the Princess, which was a pineapple & grape drink. It was quite a tall thick drink that was filling as well. Once again, extra points for not making the drinks too sweet.

Moving on, we got to try their Salad that was just fresh, and had quite a range of vegetables- lettuce, cucumber, avocado, olives, tomato, red capsicum, mozzarella cheese and capers. What a delight it was!!

The thin crust Pizza that came next was pretty good, simple vegetables, very little cheese; the pizza was light and yumm. It also had broccoli and mushrooms on it!!

We were nearly full and so I requested that the main courses and desserts be brought in smaller portions. We got to sample 3 kinds of pastas- Spaghetti with pesto, penne with rich tomato sauce and then came ravioli stuffed with spinach & cheese in a creamy tomato sauce. They were all good, but my pick would be the pesto one maybe cos I love basil. How can we forget the Lasagna we tasted, it was literal melt in your mouth kind of dish, though personally I wished the vegetables had a bit of bite to them.

Just when we thought we were done, in came two plates with very different looking rice dishes. We were told one was the Mexican rice and the other was the Italian Risotto. Good flavours and textures.

Yayy, we knew all that was left to sample were there desserts. And boy where we in for a treat, not one but three desserts came our way- Tiramisu, Chocolate bomb [with vanilla ice cream] and finally the Pana cotta served with strawberry sauce.

Burp!! This is one restaurant that any vegetarian would love to visit and keep going back for more.   

An average cost for a meal for 2 would work to Rs 800 –Rs 1000.

Little Italy    

E-50, 17th Cross Street, 

[Behind Cascade & State Bank of Travancore]

Besant Nagar, Chennai -600090

Ph- +91 89392 95000

URL: http://littleitaly.in/

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  :-)

Idli and Beer Festival at Courtyard by Marriott, Chennai

Sitting in Chennai, the only thing I do is read about the Oktoberfest in Germany and wonder if ever I would get to witness this fest.. And then came an email announcing the "Idly and Beer Festival at Courtyard by Marriott.. I was curious, I was intrigued to say the least. Above all, I am someone who is not really fond of idlis, I need some serious motivation to eat those white discs. Give me a dosa and I will be happy as a new born puppy :-) 

                                                      [Image courtesy: Courtyard by Marriott]

I do know of quite a few who love Idlis and have a few friends who love Beer and Fried idlis, but most times the combo is ordered at one of the city clubs. 

Anyways, I set aside my apprehensions and made my way to Courtyard by Marriott in Teynampet [ did take me a while to figure out the way to the hotel, not because I dont know the place, but because of all the metro rail work going on in the city]. I reached the Hotel and chose to dine at Rhapsody, the swanky restaurant with dark interiors and vintage light fixtures. 

I was told there were two options, the Veg Platter and the Non veg platter. When I dug further, I discovered the Veg platter had four varieties of idlis – Kanchipuram Idli, Fried Idli, Podi Idli and Karvaipilai Idli along with a frothy pitcher of beer. On the other hand, the Non Veg Platter had - Kozhi Koththamali Idli, Muttai Karvapilai Idli, Sea Food Idli and Kaima Ellu Idli along with a pitcher ofbeer. 

Being a vegetarian, I chose the Veg Platter and requested for the beer to be served a glass at a time and not a whole pitcher. The Veg Platter + 1 Pitcher of Beer is priced at Rs. 550 + taxes while the Non-Veg Platter + 1 Pitcher of Beer works to Rs. 650 + taxes. 

  

The veg platter with the glass of beer.. 

The Non veg platter

The platter arrived and so did my beer. It looked interesting. There were the 4 different kinds of idlis [there wwere 4-5 pieces in each kind]  and was served alongside the yummy White coconut chutney and red spicy chutney. The idlis had subtle flavours, the karuvepilai idli is not overpowered by curry leaf flavour nor are there a zillion curry leaves to deal with. The chef mentioned that the filling/spices have all been blended into the batter and then the idlis are made. I was also shown a sample Non veg platter, which looked good. Again, here too the meat and egg is blended with the batter, so there are no big chunky pieces of idli. 

While I was initially skeptical about this whole concept, I must say I walked out with a smile. Infact, I did send out messages to quite a few friends who I know will enjoy this deal. 

If you love beer.. If you love fried idli or idli of any kind- Do visit.. 

When? The festival is on till Oct 30th, 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm 

Where?  Paprika & Rhapsody, 

Courtyard by Marriott Chennai, [Opp Ramee Mall/Hyatt Regency]

#564, Anna Salai, Teynampet, 

Chennai. 

Ph No: 6676 4000

How much?- The Veg Platter [16 idlis] + 1 Pitcher of Beer is priced at Rs. 550 + taxes while the Non-Veg Platter [16 idlis] + 1 Pitcher of Beer works to Rs. 650 + taxes. 

Beyond Indus, Taj Club House

There was plans of lunch being made, and we were all quite excited- why? it was at a restaurant that not many of us had visited before. It was going to be at Beyond Indus, Taj Club House. Located on the road across from Spencers Plaza, this hotel is quite good. I enjoy the Weekend brunch at "Club house" restaurant and have also dined at Kefi on the rooftop. 

Beyond Indus is tucked away around the corner from Blend, the pub and oozes with luxury from the minute you walk in. We chose the table at the far end of the hall which had a sun roof and a majestic burgundy coloured chandelier. We were served a welcome drink called "Laughing Buddha", it was cranberry and apple fizz. It was delicious, so good that quite a few of us had more than just a few glasses of it. And we did manage to crack up, have a whale of a time through the lunch. Since it was a weekend, the atmosphere was quite relaxed and everyone was chilled out, no hurry.

The meal was a set menu, which began with a soup going on to dessert. The soup was fairly good, tomato based and light as well. Once we were done slurping the soup, along came the starter. The vegetarians got a platter that had Tandoor broccoli and coloured capsicums along with a slice of poached pear [or it was soaked in vinegar]. I quite enjoyed the peach as it had a bite to it and the vinegar's flavour was quite strong as well. I was glad to have got a vegetable and not the same 'ol paneer [quite fed up of seeing it as the substitute for meat for veggies]. Through the lunch, we kept asking for refills of Laughing Buddha till they had no more. This is when there came a twist to the meal. 3 of us went ahead and ordered a drink each- tropical sunrise, sparkling white wine and one more that was tequila based . They were all good and the Sunday just got better.......  :-)

For the mains, first came the plates, one oval shaped plate and another with a bowl of pulao and 3 cups in them with 3 different gravies-daal makhani, paneer butter masala and a kadai vegetable of sorts. The Daal makhani was just amazing. We were then offered different kinds of rotis, and I being the risk taker chose the methi laccha parantha which was quite good. Since we were quite a few in number, there was a lot of walking around and chatting as well. It was lovely as there were very few other guests in the restaurant that particular morning. 

Finally came the desserts- Kulfi, which I dint like too much. It had a weird sort of taste and texture, but I did enjoy the other platter they brought. It had a few dried apricots and prunes. I could have had a bowl of these and been happy! 

Overall, the meal was good, but nothing WOW about it. Priced at Rs600, it is a place you can go with family or friends and be assured of good quality North Indian food. I am however curious to check out their menu to see what else they offer.

Ambiance- 5/5

Food - 3/5

Price- 3/5

Service- 5/5

Address: # 2, Club House Road, Chennai, TN 600002

Phone:044 6631 3503 

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  :-) 

Daal Makhani Courtesy GITS

I went over to my grandparents place after about a week and noticed a package sitting on the side shelf where post is normally kept. It had my name on it and seemed to be a box of sorts. When i opened it, I discovered a big blue box that said "Ready to eat" Dal Makhani & Biryani from GITS. I had no clues where it was from, a mystery which still has me wondering. I did find a note inside from FBAI saying this was a review box and they had found me amidst the blogging community. 

There was a box of Dal Makhani which looked very tempting. Ever since I began living on my own, I have been creating one pot meals - salads, soup, pulao, pasta etc. But the minute I saw this box, I pulled out the packed of dosa batter I had in the fridge and decided my dinner. Dosa with Dal Makhani. 

I made 2 dosas and kept them aside

In a pan, I added a drop of oil and 2 tbsp of Dal Makhani and heated it up . 

Voila, dinner was ready.

The Dal Makhani was good, it was thick rich and yet not heavy [not loaded with butter/cream/etc]. I managed to use the packet over 4days, for brown rice, roti and 1 more round with dosa. Now, am curious to try the Biryani. 

One packet of Dal Makhani is priced at Rs 59/- For someone like me who enjoys the occasional Dal Makhani, but is too lazy to soak, boil, cook and eat, this is a good alternative!! 

Moti Mahal Delux, Chennai

This was my 2nd or 3rd visit to the restaurant and I have always enjoyed the experience. As you walk/drive down the road next to Signoraa on Nungambakkam high Road, you will find Moti Mahal Delux on your left. I vaguely recall there being a furniture store on the ground, but now Sam's pizza is located there. Anyways, you take the staircase beside the restaurant to reach Moti Mahal. For those who are lazy or old or cant climb stairs, there is an elevator as well :D 

As you walk in, the dark wood interiors greet you, showing off the large seating area and the private dining area on the extreme left. There is the kitchen at the end of the hall, and seating area has been divided into sections. There are eclectic art work on the walls, which Maaria mentioned were done by a lady she knows- they were traditional paintings overlapped with digital imaging. 

We settled in the private area as we were 10+ in number and my eyes went straight to the water canister on the table. It was purple and very Mediterranean. I had seen it in several stores, but not bought one.  Anyways, chit chat around the table brought me back to reality. We were served lemon iced tea to start off the evening and a huge bowl of salad was placed in the center of the table. The iced tea was passe, I went ahead and ordered my saviour drink- Fresh lime soda salt, while many others followed suit with their drink orders. 

Having eaten here before, I knew their paneer was as tender as it can get and the daal makhani was to die for. We were served Paneer tikka, veg seek kebabs with mint chutney and the non vegetarians got their share of the meat to keep em smiling away. The paneer as mentioned was just divine, melt in your mouth and the kebabs were soft and good. 

Little bit about Moti Mahal Delux.... 

"The original Moti Mahal Delux restaurant was founded in 1975s by Sh. Amrit Lal Kohli in the tony Greater Kailash and South Extension regions of south Delhi. The restaurant has since become the most popular Mughal food destination, attracting guests and publicity from all over the country. Over the years, Moti Mahal Delux has achived numerous accolades and awards for its one-of-a-kind Mughlai fine dining restaurant. Many of the recipes are family recipes, handed down through generations, with the entrees served with innovative appetizers"[Source: Motimahaldelux]

Now that you are a tad enlightened, let us move on to the main course, shall we? The staff brought out a huge plate and we were all curious to know what it held. There were 4-5 different kinds of  Indian breads on it, am referring to Roti- there was a plain naan, pudina paratha, chilli roti, makki ki roti and few others as well. They were quite good in terms of flavour, but as always the naan and roti need to be had hot, else it becomes dry and chewy... They were served alongside 3 vegetarian gravies- Daal Makhani, Vegetable gravy and paneer korma [forgotten their names, pardone moi]. Each one had a rich texture and flavour. It was quite yumm and filling. 

 Within minutes I noticed nearly all from the table make a dash for the table placed on the side, realised they were all there clicking pictures of the Biryani. I waited for the crowd to settle down before sneaking over and taking a shot. It was indeed Biryani served in a mud pot. Looked good alongside the raita.

And finally, we were done. Ready for desserts. There was the infamous Paan ice cream, and since I dont eat paan or the ice cream, I opted for the Kulfi which was amazing, delicious and every other adjectice you can think of.

Oh and wait, I was in for a lovely thoughtful surprise as we were leaving.The Manager handed me a bag and said "here is a little something from us, hope you enjoy it".. Any guesses? No? Well, they gave me the purple glass water canister :D

What a fun evening it had been. Moti Mahal is a place you should head to if you are looking for good north Indian fare. Dont miss their Paneer dishes, Daal Makhani and Kulfi...

Address:
No 7, Jaganathan Street
Nungambakkam High Road
Chennai- 600032
Ph: 044 4213 7539

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  :-) 

Aromas of China in Chennai

Yet another Thursday evening amidst friends, and this time we were at a new restaurant on Khader Nawaz khan road. Over the past few days I’ve noticed that quite a few places have shut, but a few new ones have cropped up. “Out with the old, in with the new” I guess and wondered how long these new places will survive… But that road has changed drastically over the years, it has become a landmark locality of sorts in the city. A road known for the “poshness”, high end shopping, eating and lounging.

Ok, so I headed up the elevator to the 2^nd floor and noticed Aromas of China on the left and Khansama on the other side. They both belong to the same group of hotels. At the entrance was welcomed by a giant Buddha face on the wall and a lion near the maitre de’s table.

Slide into the space on the sofa, was a tad tight, but what the hell... Chit chatted and while waiting for the soup, nibbled on the Kim chi and tried to pick a few with chopsticks and must say I succeeded. Yayy!! Along came the soup, veg sweet corn soup- it was bland and felt empty. I added quite a bit of Chilli in vinegar water and soy sauce to add some flavour. Reminded me of the good ol days when Sweet corn soup used to taste exactly like this[bland that is].  I wondered and joked that maybe the guy who orders the spices was out of town or gone missing!!

 And then came the series of Veg starters- 1st came the momo, tried picking it up with chopsticks and did succeed. Was reminded of Kung Fu panda where Master Shifu & Panda train with a bowl of momos..This momo was just about alright, I've had better, what was missing? Flavouring, n it was nothing like the momos i've eaten [heck I even make em at home] !! .Anyways, back to food, there were quite a few corn based items- one was corn cooked in white sauce with other veggies; another was crispy corn which i liked, and finally came the Crispy fried veggies[ an assortment of veggies- cauliflower, carrot and baby corn]. I ate these with ample chilli sauce, and the mustard sauce. There was another sauce which was dark in colour, nearly black, a black pepper sauce [if i remember right]

In between mouthfuls we caught up on life, and everything else, while some were busy photographing the place and the people. For a Thursday evening the place was nearly full, which had me amazed [Chennai people do get out, amazing] The main dishes began coming out, one by one. The 1^st in line was Noodles [which was quite good, esp since i prefer noodles over rice any day]. It was served along side a mix veg gravy [don’t know the name], it had cauliflower, snow peas, baby corn, capsicum and onion [tasted alright, like any Chinese dish]. The other dish was Veg dumpling, which had a flat cutlet kind of dumpling in soy based sauce. I liked it..especially since the other one was very bleh. I noticed the restaurant slowly filling up, and buzzing with customers. Always good to see a packed house :)

Then came the Schezwan Rice, it was red in colour making me wonder how spicy it was, but with the 1^st spoonful I realised it wasn’t spicy at all. The rice was just about cooked and had a generous splash of spring onion, i wondered if perhaps they added colour to give it that scary look.

Ok, so where were we? Ah yes, food. We waited and waited, laughing, catching up, cracking up and some more when suddenly there were the waiter serving us some yumm looking desserts. The 1^st one was Daarsaan [ flat noodles deep fried coated with honey and served with a few chopped up almonds] and vanilla ice cream. Now, I am not a big fan of Vanilla ice cream, but I did like this one and it went well with the dessert.  The other one was a spring roll of sorts, it resembled a cigar, except this had gooey chocolate inside and was HOT. Lip smacking, so much so that I had a 2^nd piece and another dollop of ice cream to go with it.

Well, even though the food is Indo-Chinese, the kind we get almost everywhere, and even though I've had better food, if one was to go by the crowd piling into the restaurant, I’d say the place was a roaring success. They are doing something right.. whatever that is!


Ambiance: The only quip I have is the sofa seating was very uncomfortable, getting in, sitting and the cushions, almost got backache, request the management to change the cushions
Price: A meal for 2 should cost around Rs1500 [little more if you are Non veg

Address:
Aromas Of China 
2nd Floor, #15, Khader Nawaz Khan Road, 
Nungambakkam, Chennai- 34
Ph- +(91)-9962379494 | 43178111

The place where Mocha was, it is  opp the building with Kryptos/Atmosphere.

This was part of a CFG Showcase that I attended and was conducted by Chennai Food Guide.

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  :-)