After a round of quick intros with the manager and the chef, it was down to work. The meal started off with Iced Coffee with a Vietnamese twist. On inquiring I found out that the coffee beans are roasted a bit longer which makes em a bit darker, more chocolaty in colour. The strong black coffee is passed thru a filter into 5ml of sorts of Condensed milk. Quick stir and poured into a glass of crushed ice, Wola!!! One terrific Iced Coffee. I loved it so much, I had another one.


Then I was served with Pho Ga ( Rice Noodle Soup ) which is essentially a Chicken soup in a clear chicken broth with rice noodles with a topping of sprouts and chilli. Loved it! Sure will work, when you suffer from cold. Since I was the only Non-veggie at the table and the other person was a veggie, I had a ball of time, sampling both Veg and Non-Veg dishes. From what I understood by having a look at the menu was the lack of food items for vegetarians. Moving along.

The starters started to come along, I was served with a Chicken Salad while my friend who was the vegetarian was served with Mushroom Salad. Both very identical in ingredients apart from the main element, but still very different in flavours. I somehow felt the mushroom was better. There was also a Squid Salad. I do love squid, but comparing the Mushroom, Chicken and Squid - Mushroom > Chicken > Squid was better. There was a little bit sweet taste to the salad which definitely works. There was also a Banana Blossom with Tofu which totally different. Could not believe that banana stem could work like this.


Next up, we were served with non-veggie & Veggie sampler of sorts. The non-veggie sampler which I relished were: (First the highs) Bò Cuộn Sả Nướng Bún Tươi Nước Mắm Tỏi Ớt. I have no clue what it means. But it is actually Charcoal Grilled Beef on Lemongrass Sticks served along with Vermicilli ( aka Iddiyappam). I loved it. If this was a steak I would eat it regularly. Next was the Gà Xiên Que Nướng Mật Ong Cơm Nắm Mè Dưa Chua which is BBQ Honey Chicken Skewers. BBQ honey imparted a sweet flavour which I dint mind. Then came the ChảCáThìLàNướcMắmXoàiTượng which is fish on a skewer. There was also some deep fried vegetable spring rolls, which were quite fresh and rich in veggie flavour. 




After gorging on these delicious delights, we moved on to the main course. I was served with Cá KhoTộ Cơm Trắng Rau Luộc which is Caramelised Fish in Claypot and  Càry Gà Nước Cốt Dừa which is Vietnam Chicken Curry in Coconut Gravy to go with Miến Xào Cua which is stir-fried Glass Noodle with Crab Meat and Xôi Đậu Xanh which is Green Mungbean Sticky Rice. 

The Caramelised Fish had great depth of flavours, but it was a bit salty for my taste. I was offered a bit of steamed rice to cancel out the saltness, but I was too full to even try. Vietnam Chicken Curry in Coconut gravy will pass off as a Kumarakom Gravy if the chicken was swapped with fish. Green Mungbean Sticky rice was first for me. I have heard Kylie Kwong talk about sticky rice. But to taste it was just divine. Finally the Stir-Fried Glass Noodles with  Crab Meat was at a whole different level. 

There are very few quality roof-top restaurants in Chennai. Of the lot, one of the most romantic places to dine is Kefi at Taj Club House. I have been here a couple of times and the food here, has never disappointed me. It is one of the best Mediterranean restaurants which the city is blessed with. I was invited here to sample the dishes which are a part of the Sun cuisine.


Sun cuisine serves food native to Tunisia. Tunisia is a region is which is located on the northern most tip of Africa which is part of the Mediterranean belt. Food wise, it is very similar to the other Mediterranean countries but a little spicier The executive chef, Siddiq has taken the right ingredients to produce a food experience which is second to none.

The proceedings for the evening began with a Amouse Bouch (Palate cleanser) which is a delicate paper thin beet root, wrapping a small piece of cheese. It was a sharp contrast of flavours with sweet beet root and sour cheese. In the gap between our starters and palate cleanser, we were served with lovely soft bread which tasted yummy, with both garlic yoghurt and Harissa.




Following the lovely starter we were served with Lablabi, which is a chickpea and garlic soup with a nice piece of chicken. The soup was thick, rich, aromatic and delicious. This was one of the times I had actually enjoyed a soup. Gulping down the soup, we were served with our main course. The sole veggie guy of the party, was served Marqa which is a Tomato stew with Broccoli, bell peppers and zucchini. While I was served with Phoenician Spicy Grilled Chicken. I really don't know to explain it. The chef is a genius, he had stuffed Cous Cous in a grilled chicken. The dish as such lacked a bit of bite. The chicken was delicious, the Cous Cous was great, the sauce was fantastic. But this did not turn the entire dish into a plus. I did wish it was served with a increased amount of sauce, but then would it have affected the taste of the grilled chicken?  I wonder...

Finally the delicious meal ended with Makroudh Baklava. Which is the traditional Baklava with a spin. Served in a roll form filled with nuts, dates flavoured with rose syrup and garnished with a hard orange candy. It was a big bite into heaven. 

The box contents:
Tata Gluco+ - 1
Nombu Kanji ( Porridge) - 1
Dates -2
Chicken Cutlet - 2
Iddiyappam Biryani - 1
Mixed Fruits - 1
The entire box costs Rs99/-

Nombu Kanji aka Rice Porridge which is a spicy porridge with a bit of rice, vegetables, dhal and a small helping of mutton. The chicken cutlet seems to have dropped in size compared to the previous year's box. A little minuscule but right on the spices. Finally you get a small serving of Iddiyappam Biryani with small pieces of chicken in it, which is rich in south indian flavours. You do get some Mixed fruits to cool down your digestive system. The entire box is a total value for money priced at Rs 99/-

Food - 7/10
Price - 9/10

The Iftar box is available from 5pm onwards during the month Ramadan.

Hotel Blue Diamond is located on E.V.R Perriyar Salai next to K.J. Hospital.

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Awadhi cuisine - Galouti Kebab - Marriott. These keywords were enough. I said yes to trying out the Awadhi food festival at Courtyard Marriott. Marriott had flown in Chef Younis Khan who specializes in this cuisine for the special food festival. For those who don't know what Awadhi cuisine is.... It is essentially a Lucknowi food which specialises in Dum cooking and is heavily influenced by the Mughal and Persian style of food. As I have said a numerous times I am sucker for Galouti / Goluti / Galwati Kebabs and this was just another reason to dine here.




The meal started of with Malai Prawns. I must say it was out of the world. Okay, I missed saying I love Seafood as well. I just cant resist them. If this was not enough we were blown away with veggie version of Galouti Kebab. For once I thought this could pass off as an alternative to the original. Just as I was binging on the doupelgangers we were served with a Masala Paneer and Malai Paneer. The Maiai paneer was a little flat in  flavors. It was soft no doubt, but a little flat in the spices department.  Masala Paneer was the one, everyone would relished.



With all these dishes being served I was beginning to become impatient. I was waiting for the star attraction, the Galouti Kebab. Finally after all the waiting, it was served. Looked great, was definitely soft, but on eating I found the taste to be a little different which I did not mind as it was still melt in your mouth types. Finally if this was not enough we were served with Tandoori Lamb chops. OMG! It was delicious, soft, tender and decadent.


Finishing off the starters I was too stuffed to even move around. But then the smell of the Awadhi Biryani and Lamb Nihari shook me up. The Biryani had a different color, but was packed with richness. It is safe to say that this is one of the best Biryanis I have ever had in a Star Hotel. On the other end the Lamb Nihari was a stunner. Tender cooked lamb with roti was just what the royals would want. I was way too stuffed after the main course to even sample the desserts.

Chennai has become the home of many poor buffet. But this was the only time I felt that the major portion of the buffet was great.

Awadhi food festival is on till July 21st. It is priced at Rs 1250/- Do try em, don't miss out on this unique food festival.

Courtyard Marriott is located on Anna Salai next to Manyavar.

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Each year, Muslims spend the ninth month of the Islamic calendar observing a community-wide fast. The annual fast of Ramadan is considered one of the five "pillars" of Islam. Muslims who are physically able, are required to fast each day of the entire month, from sunrise to sunset. The evenings are usually spent enjoying family and community meals, engaging in prayer and spiritual reflection, and reading from the Koran.

Fast-forward to the present day. It has becoming increasingly difficult for families to sit down and dine together as one during the month of Ramadan. Knowing this all Muslim and certain non-Muslim restaurants across town have geared up to serve filling meal at the time of Iftar to cater to the Muslim community. 

Drawbacks of clicking takeaway food when you are totally hungry? Total loss in creativity! Check pictures above. Only one thing runs in your mind. Tummy, you will need to wait for another 5 seconds. Anyways coming to proceedings, having had great burger & delicious sandwich the previous night from my current favourite (Foodycall) midnight delivery service, I was wishing to try a new joint Shaack just to have comparo of sorts. Maybe next time a shoot out between the two?? With the tasty burger from the previous night fresh on my mind, I wanted to know how this burger and sandwich fared.


Food:
My regular order in a midnight delivery service is Chicken Sandwich and a Chicken Burger. Some how this seems to work best for me during the late hours. If I am adventurous I go with the beef variant of the same. Anyways here I had Chicken Burger with Chilly Billy sauce and a Grilled Chicken Sandwich. First the good news. I loved the Grilled Chicken Sandwich. If fact I thought it fared better than the one from the FoodyCall. Loads of Mayo, topped to the brim with chicken so that every bite is filled with the delicious chicken and finally fine toasted bread to finish it off. Now the bad part. The burger was a total disappointment as it was highly recommended by food affectionados. I was hoping for a grilled patty but was let down by a patty which looked like a cutlet. Also the topping, the chilly billy sauce, was not spicy to the level I had expected. Apart from this grouse, it had a great bun which did not crumble away and the veggies were just fine. I also had built this image were the juice from the meat flows all over your hand on biting the burger, which just did not happen. They do have a Sloppy Joe and Mexicana variant to the burger. I hope to give another try with the sloppy joe variant.

Service:
The service was really quick. Order to delivery in 30mins flat as guaranteed

Price:
One burger and a Sandwich cost me Rs 402/-

Food - 7/10
Service - 10/10
Price - 8/10

Shaack does delivery from 11am to 4am the next day.
Call on 044 - 8144277035

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Food:
Dining along with owner gives you the insight into the hard work which has gone in for this project. A small chat might even kindle one to become an entrepreneur like him. We started the meal with a smooth Chicken Shorba. A Shorba which was rich like no other, with real fat and cream. Loved it.





Next up, starters was a round of chicken dishes. Tandoori Chicken, Murgh Banno Kebab, Kalmi Kebab and finally Punjab da kebab. Each very different in flavours. This gives you an idea of all the different spices and different methods of preparations that have gone in for these delicious dishes. Each juicy, succulent and fit for the royals.


Moving to the main course we came to realise that the Tandoori Rotis are served free of cost. That's the first I have come across in Chennai. So people can just walk in and order their gravy items and have soft tandoori roti served at their table. Hats off for this decision. We were served with Butter Chicken Masala, Mutton Rogan Josh and Dal Makhani. To wipe them down, we were served with Naan Maharaja and the soft tandoori rotis.


Naan Maharaja is a huge naan which is as large as your forearm, not a kids forearm but a full grown adult's. Packed with cashews, almonds and saunf with a double layered bread. A true maharaja in its size, taste and texture. A piece of Maharaj and a little bit of butter chicken and I was instantly transported to Delhi. Flavours very very similar to what I have had at Delhi. Mutton Rogan Josh, though I have had many variations, this was the best - soft medium cooked mutton in a spicy gravy. The combination of the sweet Naan and spicy gravy support each other to tingle your taste buds. Finally the Dal Makhani! It was just brilliant. You can slurp it alone, without any bread.


Just when we thought that we were stuffed, we were served with a Kashmiri Pulao. I don't think I have had a Kashmiri Pulao as rich as this, ever in my life. Usually it is rice with dry fruits. But here they have taken it to the next level. Cooking the rice with cream and dry fruits made it a bite of heaven.

Finally after the delicious round of main course we decided to sample just the Gulab Jamun and the Rasa Malai. Rasa Malai was just brilliant, it was soft and sweet while the Gulab Jamun was good as well.

Ambiance:
On entering the restaurant one would notice extraordinarily large chairs at the entrance which welcomes you with comfort and grandeur. This definitely sets the tone and you do feel like you were dining at a royal court.

Price:
With Tandoori Rotis being served as free, Ordering just a starter, a side dish and a dessert would cost Rs 800 for two. This is the best value 3 course meal one could have.

And the conclusion? ULTIMATE!

Grill Ministri is located in Mogappair West. If you do encounter a difficulty in locating it, search it on Google Maps.

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