25/06/2014

Shaack, Anna Nagar - Night Delivery

20:40:00

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

If you like what you are reading, Please share it with others.

*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.

22/06/2014

Grill Ministri, Mogappair

09:44:00


Grill Ministri? Yes, one might wonder if it is a place which serves great Steaks and Sizzler's. Nope, they don't serve em! Okay? Then you might wonder if it is a place which serves amazing Arabian Grilled Chicken. Again nope! They don't serve em! Finally you might wonder if it might be some kind of a place similar to BBQ Nation. I am really sorry to say that the name might have confused you. Grill Ministri is essentially a proper North Indian family restaurant. Even I had this confusion until I did a small research on it. I was invited here to dine the other night. I must say it was the....... No I am not giving away the conclusion just yet. READ ON!


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.

If you like what you are reading, Please share it with others.

*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.

17/06/2014

Munch Cafe, Kilpauk - A CFG Showcase

19:51:00

"Coffee saaptigalanaa?? Tiffin saaptigalanaa??" A famous movie dialogue runs in my mind the moment I come to hear about a new coffee shop in Chennai. Looks like Chennai is catching up to the Barista culture. Loads of coffee shops are opening up, from standalone new ventures to big giant enterprises. I was at one such new venture recently for a meet. Munch Cafe! An unassuming cozy coffee shop located inside the DLF building in Kilpauk. It is the heroine of this tale.





Food:
I have always imagined and wished a coffee shop brings in dishes which one would see in an English sitcoms. I don't mean the regular Sandwiches and Pastas, but different items. This is the first cafe I have come across in Chennai, to serve Churro. Just like the ones Joey had in Friends! The churro was served with a drizzle of caramel sauce and chocolate sauce on the side. I would most definitely return just for these.






They serve a variety of shakes and their Lindt Chocolate shakes are to die for. I had the Cafe Latte. A true latte lover in me wanted to sample em! The brew was perfecto! They serve up some delicious sandwiches as well, if your in the mood for a quick bite. If you were to order one, I would truly recommend the brown bread sandwich over the regular ones.




They have a big block of a chocolate cake which resembles the tiny cake at Sandy's and a tasty Waffle. A small talk with owner gives me an idea of what is in store for the future. I had a small idea which I passed it along to the owner who seemed to be on the same page as me. A savoury waffle such as Waffle burger! :P Yes that would be different.

Ambiance:
Cozy and neat ambiance!

Price:
The price points here is very reasonable. Infact seeing the price of Lindt Chocolate shake I was shocked that I had paid a similar amount at another cafe in 2008. It should cost around Rs 300/- for two.

Munch Cafe is located inside the DLF building diagonally opposite to Apollo First Med, Kilpauk.

If you like what you are reading, Please share it with others.

*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.

13/06/2014

Masala Klub @ Beyond Indus, Taj Club house, Mount Road

18:30:00





Rich Indian food which is associated with parties and weddings are usually heavy and oily to maintain their richness. Imagine the same Indian dishes still rich but with a European twist to make the food a little bit healthier!! Enter Masala Klub. A new infant in the Taj group which follows the philosophy of healthy cooking. To introduce Chennaiites to this new world is Chef Chandan, the speciality chef from Taj West End, Bangalore. A small conversation with the chef and it brings to light his humble nature and from where he draws inspiration for the meal.





Food:
The course started of with a Pani Puri. It was no ordinary Pani puri, instead of the regular sweet pani this had a small twist. A pineapple flavoured pani which was totally different. Loved it. Then came the starter platter, with sooper! soft pan seared sea bass, juicy cheesy chicken kebab called Bhunna Lasson de Murgh Tikka and finally a Palak kebab. And each different from the other ! 




Then came the main course which had Pataila Mutton curry, which I thought was just average, then Anardana anhinga which was an absolute killer, which had fresh prawns in Kashmiri chillies topped off with pomegranate. I loved the way it had a blend of sweet and spices. Then Nadru Aur Singhada which was a water chestnut and lotus stem curry. Flavors were really new to me. I would recommend it over the mutton curry. Finally there was the Dal Indus which was nice in its own way but when you begin comparing it with Dal Makhani, I think it does not stand a chance. To go with this we had assorted Indian breads. Of the lot served, Chili Olive Naan was a stand out.



We were stuffed by the end of the main course, but the dessert was in a totally different league. Anjeer Halwa, Mixed fruits and finally a sinful coconut ice cream.



After the end of the meal, and  after most of our company had left, we requested the chef for a small portion of Golouti kebab, which is part of the Masala Klub menu but was not served to us. We are suckers for Golouti kebab, after having tried it all over Chennai, I just could not resist sampling it here as well. 

I must thank Chennai foodie and Fazil for staying back and also convincing me to stay back to try this.This is the best Golouti Kebab I have ever had. It was absolutely decadent. Fit for the royals. Mutton is known to be fibrous, but this was pounded to make it feel like a dream. You would not believe, it was so soft, a spoon was sufficient to cut it through. Put it in your mouth, shut it and live the flavor.

Ambiance:
A mix of contemporary and Indian design sets the atmosphere for this lovely restaurant.

Price:
A meal for two should cost an upwards of Rs 3500/-.
Masala Klub menu is available upto June 22.

Beyond Indus is located inside Taj Club House on Mount Road.


If you like what you are reading, Please share it with others.

*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.

09/06/2014

Ayna, Hilton, Guindy - Set Menu

22:25:00

Its been over a year since I had visited Ayna. Many changes have taken place and a new person is at the helm of things. This ought to bring about a lot of changes not that it was needed it. I have loved the Gulkand Mojito at Ayna, and I took this opportunity to introduce my mom to it.


Food:
It was just me and my mom out for dinner for my Birthday dinner. A quick view of the menu and we settled on the set menu. This is the first time I realized Ayna had a set menu as well. The 3 course meal started off with platter of sorts with a lovely tandoori grilled fish, two delicate pieces of chicken and finally taste bud mesmerising sheek kebabs.


Gulkand mojito was in a different league all together. My mom went the distance to diceper it. A very good refreshing drink worth the order.



Finally the mains reached our table. We were served with Murgh Makhani which is essentially chicken tikka masala, Lasooni Keema "Husseini" which is minced mutton in roasted spices. I am not a big fan of Kheema but I did love this. Finally we were served with Aloo Bukhara Kofta which is Fig, Prune and Cottage Cheese dumpling in a rich saffron gravy. I was just floored by the flavors of this gravy. I loved it so much, the next time I am here I would love to have it again. To go with these we had a selection of roti and naan. If this was not enough we had a mouth watering Dal Ayna with Hara Matar Pulao which is peas rice. Every dish was simply outstanding. It was a dinner fit for the royals and my mother seconded my thoughts by saying that  that the nawabs and sultans of yester era must have dined  on food like this.


To finish of the delicious three course meal we had a trio of desserts which was a sampler of sorts. It had a small portion of Badam Halwa, a small scoop of ice cream and finally a Rasamalai. Each had distinct flavour. All in all a very good meal and a stunning one on my Birthday!!

Ambiance:
Plush comfortable, raja style seats. Rich table decor. An absolute kings feast.

Service:
R O Y A L pampering.

Price:
This set meal costs Rs 2000 / head + taxes. Definitely worth the money.

Food - 9/10
Ambiance - 9/10
Service - 9/10
Price - 8/10

Ayna is located on Level 3 of Hilton.

If you like what you are reading, Please share it with others.

*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.

02/06/2014

The Crown, Residency Towers, T-Nagar - Anniversary Special

22:20:00


The Crown at Residency Towers, is a restaurant with one of the best ambiance in the city. My previous visit here was an invited one and I quite simply enjoyed the food while the ambiance just elevated the entire experience. This time around I was invited to try their Anniversary special menu. No, it was not the anniversary of the hotel nor the restaurant. It is a  concept  which is  quite nice in a way. It has a SET menu containing some special dishes from their a la carte menu from which you select your favourites. This set menu is priced Rs 1999 plus taxes for two.

The entire experience begins with a Flower bouquet welcome, plus a nice cake for the occasion, a delicious dinner and finally a lovely photo memorabilia of the day. Its better if you would give them a few hours head up so they can organise the same and make the day special.




Food:
The menu is quite extensive and you get to choose from it. I would personally go with the selection of continental food which would go great with the amazing view of the city, but then for the Indian food lovers you to have an option.

Ambiance:
I don't think there could be anything which would beat this ambiance. It simply breathtaking! It would be even better during winters.

Price:
Priced at Rs 1999 for two before taxes for a amazing night seems a great value for money.

The Crown is located on the top floor of Residency Towers which is next to Globus, T-Nagar.

If you like what you are reading, Please share it with others.

*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.

** Menu photo credits to Ila Ismail