Having had FoodyCall as my staple night time food delivery service, I decided to have a little change. I went about surfing the internet to see the other available options.  After careful filtering, I saw Dawn and Dusk. It used to be my goto delivery service way before the plethora of options, came into existence. They had a revamped menu card of course, which looked eye catching. So having spent considerable time going through the menu, I set my heart and tummy on what I wanted to eat. After placing my order, I waited.
Food:
As I had mentioned  earlier, my regular order at a Night Food Delivery service usually has a Burger in it. So I picked the Sloppy Joe Chicken Burger. Since I was really hungry, I ordered a Devil Chicken Wings and finally Chicken Parmigiana. After about 1 hour of wait, my food arrived. Thankfully, the food was warm due to the nice containers. After spending a few minutes clicking the shots, I went about doing the job of digging into the food.



The Devil Chicken Wings, was the way I had imagined it. A little on the charred side, but yeah it tasted fine. Very very similar to what I have had at Gallopin Gooseberries. Moving on the Sloppy Joe Burger, I had my doubts, if my burger had indeed been mixed with the Chilli Billy Burger. The burger failed to match the description of the dish which was mentioned on the menu. Then again I was really hungry I dived into it. The chicken patty was really thin, compared to many other take away joints. Pitting it next to FoodyCall or even Shaack patty makes this look anaemic. Leaving the size aside, the bun was perfect, did not crumble away. So that is a tick. The French Fries were a little soggy by the time I ate them, but then I was prepared for that.  Finally I bit into the Chicken Parmigiana. I had high hopes on this dish. Crumb fried chicken topped with Italian Tomato Sauce and Cheese. Crumb fried chicken that was a tick, tomato sauce - that seemed to have dried out but still liked what remained so thick, finally the cheese on top - nope, it was a disappointment. One sample bite of it and you knew they had skimped on the quality of the cheese. A better quality of the cheese would have definitely helped in lifting the flavours.

Service:
Time elapsed from order to deliver - 1hour and 15mins. Not as fast as the other options which i have had recently. But then again, with the spell of rains, roads being really bad, I can excuse this delay.

Price:
The price paid for these 3 dishes was Rs 672. Of which 60 rupees was charged as a delivery charge. I am not knit picking on the delivery charge. The prices of petrol are really high these days and finding help to deliver is another aspect, so I think it is alright.

Food - 7/10
Service - 7/10
Price - 7/10

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I have heard of lost manuscripts of Tamil language being found. I have also heard of relics being unearthed. But this is the first I have come across a full British influenced recipe book being found in India. What a way to make use of it!!!

Chef Arzooman Irani the executive chef at Vivanta by Taj - Whitefield, Bangalore got hold of (was gifted) the recipe book of one the early settlers at Whitefield, Mr. Harry Blake. Once the chef got hold of the book, he did not just sit on this vast resource. Rather he used knowledge and skill to bring the age old recipes to life. The menu not only showcases the dishes which were consumed by the then settlers, but also brings to life on how the Indian available produce were altered to suite their palates. Vivanta Taj, Chennai took this menu and brought it down to Chennai to one of the oldest colonial houses in the city for the Madras's 375th birthday. This food can relished at the Verandah from 22nd to 31st of August. To top all this they had also launched a special Cocktail menu called the Colonial Hangover Cocktail. Me being a Tee totaler stuck to sampling the non-alcoholic versions of the same.



Food:
I was happy sampling the non-alcoholic versions of the popular drinks. I first sampled the Ginger Wine which was blend of sweet with gingery after taste. Stunning concoction I must say. Then there was the ever so popular Virgin Mary which is essentially a non-alcoholic version of the Bloody Mary. Finally the Earl of Raj which was had a blend of Earl Grey Tea, Cinnamon, Cardamom, lime juice and bay leaf. It had a peculiar flavour to it. Every sip one would take, gives you a hit of the various components which makes it rather special.


Drinking down our spirits, we started the dinner with Mulligatawny Soup which was essentially a lentils broth spiced up with peppers and finally giving it a twist with finely cut apples. A soup full of flavours and textures.


Then moving on, there was my kind of dish Spicy Prawn Masala. A hint of Indian Masala, cooked to perfection, this is something I would love everyday. Moving on to the mains we had Tomato Rice and Coconut rice to go with Veg. Stew, Harry's Signature Fish Curry, Mutton Ball Curry, Country Captain Chicken and Cabbage fry.




The Tomato rice was a little light for my taste. I am used to South Indianized full on tomato flavoured rice, while this was more of subtle tomato touch. The flavours of the same was greatly accentuated when had in combination with Mutton Ball Curry. Loved the deep flavours of mutton balls and super softness of the same.


My pick of the lot was mixing Coconut rice with Veg.stew and a dash of Country Captain Chicken. Had enough sweetness and slight hint of heat to balance it out.


On finishing the mains,we were served with a small dessert platter which had Sooji Pudding, Coconut Pudding and finally Kulkuls. Of the lot my pick was the Coconut pudding. I just could not settle for one.

Ambiance:
There can't be a better setting to bring this anglo-indian culinary delight to life. The rich heritage of the building compounded by the food made it a night which I would never forget.

Price:
A meal for two without alcohol should cost upwards of Rs 3000/- .

If you are in the mood to experience history through food, this is the place.
This Anglo-Indian Food Festival is on from 22nd August to 31st of August at The Verandah at Taj Vivanta, Chennai.

Taj Vivanta is located on Binny Road, right next to Spencers plaza's car parking entrance.

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I think I have lost track of the amount new restaurants opened in Chennai this year. Seems like the city has found a new favorite cuisine "European". Located on Habibullah Road far away from the food streets of city, created by 2 masters is -  Basil. There is a saying that too many cooks spoil the broth. But there is always an exception. I was here for a quick lunch with my friends on Friendship Day.

Food:
As I was the first to arrive and my good friends made me wait over an hour, I felt terrible to sit and just look into my phone. To avoid the looks of the waiters I ordered a Focaccia with Cheese Sauce. It was a stunner. I loved it so much I gorged on atleast 3 of the 6 pieces in them. The flavour was out of the world.




While I was waiting, one of my friends joined me and we decided to order a Tapenade and Goat Cheese Bruschetta. It was a great mix of flavours. While we were waiting for the third friend to arrive, we ordered a Twist, which is  a watermelon and orange drink. I was not a big fan of orange based drinks until this, It was simply out of the world! Please don't miss this drink.




Gulping down our drinks we ordered our main course, as we had been joined by the third member of the party. I ordered the Sach of the Day, while my friends picked Grilled Chicken with Mashed potatoes (name which I am unable to re-collet) and Penne Arrabiata. The Grilled chicken was a smasher. The mashed potatoes had no clumping and I would definitely order them the next time. The Penne Arrabiata was perfect with fresh tomatoes. One of the best Arrabiata's I have had in a very long time. Finally my dish the Sach of the Day, which had lamb shanks with roasted carrots and potatoes. The Lamb was so ........!! I have no words to describe it. It just came right of the bone. Taste was just divine. By the end of the main course I was too stuffed to try the dessert, while my friends who had an appointment later in the evening also left without trying those delicacies. But still an awesome dine-out!

Ambiance:
Lovely, welcoming upmarket dinning space with a simply sooperb view of the glass kitchen. To top this, there is ample car parking available. 

Service:
Service wise,  I feel there is  room for improvement. The waiters did seem a little confused and they stood chatting in a group.

Price:
This meal for 3 cost us Rs 2250/- for the best european meal I have had in a very long time. Hats off to the chefs. Loved the food! 

Food - 8.5/10
Ambiance - 8/10
Service - 7/10
Price - 7.5/10

Basil Twist is located in Habibullah road which is the road adjacent to the Haji Ali in T-Nagar.


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