Food:
We started with Charcoal Roasted Twin Pepper Soup served with super light toasted bread which was simply awesome. Light and at the same time full of flavor and also a delight to look at. Following which we were served with a nice Berry Mock-tail.



Next came the deconstructed Chicken / Paneer Carolina Salad which I would rate as a must have. The honey mustard sauce with sensationally marinated Chicken/Paneer and the Cheddar and Parmesan cheese was a delight. This is nothing like the salads from Subway and I would highly recommend it.


Next a dish from the veg part of the menu, Cottage Cheese & Green Peas Kebab. This dish was served on a park-bench kind of a plate with charcoal underneath it to create a smoke kind of theatrics. The taste definitely matched the antics with which it was served.




Banjara Kebab was served next. It was chefs take on Chicken Tikka which was mouthwatering. Next up were the Mini Falafel Wrap ( Arabian Platter ) and the Mango Cheese Fingers. Both brilliant. I would recommend having the fingers while they are hot unlike me, who went about wasting time to click the right picture.



In between all this I was given a different mock-tail based on Guava & Litchi to relish on! After munching such delicious starters we were served with Bento Box kind of Mains and Polenta.


The Bento box contained Mini Butter Naan, Steamed Rice, Mutton Roganjosh, Dal Makani and Vegetable Kohlapuri with assorted condiments. The kicker was the mutton and naan. Mutton was so soft without any of the smell which we associate with it. Polenta is a the Italian take on Indian Upma which was neat.



We finished off  dinner with Country Fair Apple Rasamalai Pie and Rabri Angoor which was definitely the icing on the cake.

Also we got to have a friendly chat with Chef Pawan Kumar about his experiences and his connection with Chennai.

Ambiance:
The restaurant is located on the top floor of Ramada Plaza with 360 Degree view of the Guindy Skyline. With weather being pleasant in the month of February is the right time to visit.

Service:
NA

Price:
A meal for two should cost an upwards of Rs 3000/- depending on the number of courses and items beings ordered.

Roof Top Lounge is located on the top floor at Ramada Plaza in Guindy.

Disclaimer - I was invited for the meal

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*A review about a place holds good only for 6 months as there can be a change in quality and quantity of the food, the service, and the staff, due to reasons best known only to them. So kindly consider these factors while visiting the places.

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Ever wondered what people of India ate in restaurants about 40 years ago. Ever wondered what the affluent had on the eve of Indian Independence in 1947 . Taj has dug through their archives and found the menu which was served 70 years ago for dinner, on 14th  of August 1947 at their Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai.

They have recreated the menu which was originally written in French by French Chefs along with Indian Chefs of Goan or Bengali origin. The menu has been slightly altered to suit the current tastes but the core ingredients and flavours remain the same. Portion sizes are also the exact same size  as people had a voracious appetite back then. Also there was no concept of ala carte dining - only set menu.

Food:
The images below are the dishes which are recreated for the special 1947 menu.

Veloute d'Amandes

Consomme al'Indienne

Delices al'Hindustan - Tandoori Jhinga, Zafrani Murgh, MuttonSeekh Kebab

Delices al'Hindustan - Palak ki Shammi, Kasundi Broccoli, Kali mirch ka paneer tikka

Poularde shuffle independence Legumes varies

Vegetable fricassee with herb pilaf

Vacherin de Peches liberation

Finally the best picture - Lord Mountbatten in front of Taj before he bid farewell to India.
Price:
This wonderful meal experience is priced at Rs 1947 + taxes and is available at Anise, Taj Coromandel for dinner until the 14th August 2017 .

Disclaimer : Invited Review

Anise is located inside Taj Coromandel, Nungumbakkam.

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*A review about a place holds good only for 6 months as there can be a change in quality and quantity of the food, the service, and the staff, due to reasons best known only to them. So kindly consider these factors while visiting the places.

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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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