Krishnavilasam - The Home of the Classics!

I have been a fan of the initial and original Krishnavilasam at Haddows Road for quite a while now. They are like our "Go to Destination" when we are looking to savour heirloom cuisine in a rejuvenated and redefined avatar. There is this lovely homely feeling about both the place and cuisine that makes you want to visit them again and again.

I was delighted to hear that they had opened their second outlet in a quite suburb in the Kasturbhai Nagar area in Adyar. We were invited for an on the house meal to try some of the signature offerings and personally for me if the food was anywhere on par with the former, it meant a WIN written right royally around it. The place is big and spread across 2 floors. The Valet system is not yet in place but there is ample space for car parking. Moreover even if you are pressed for space, there is enough and more of it in the passerby streets.

On the ambiance front, it bears a striking resemblance to the Nungambakkam outlet, just that this one seems a little more on the quirkier side with a nice little lighting facility which changes the color tone according to the situation. They also have enclosed private rooms and this comes in extremely handy when you go with a gang of 10-15 people.

We started our foray with the watermelon juice which seemed to be quite a refresher for the heat. And then came along the Moogh Dal ka shorba soup which was palatable. It was mild and spicy and though it didnt impress me as much as the Muligatawny soup which I had in the Haddows Road one, it was still nevertheless good.

On to the starter section, we were served quite a handful of items ranging from Tulasi vada, Vazhapoo cutlets, Kung fu Fungi mushroom, Mughlai Sheek and Sambar Vada. Out of these the chinese style mushrooms and Sheek Kabab's really packed a punch. The Indo Chinese magic worked big time on the mushrooms and the Sheek Kababs had a slight tangy taste with assorted veggies inserted and went jocularly well with the green chutney. The Vazhapoo cutlet was another dish deserving of the brownie points especially the way it was served thoughtfully with love in a heartened shape and a delightful beetroot chutney to go with it. The Tulasi Vada seemed more run of the mill and a cousin of the paruppu vada and the Sambar Vada was pretty good with a lovely thick sambar garnished with onions and coriander. Overall, all the starters worked really well with just some being a notch higher than the others.

For Main course, we got to have the Goduma wheat parota along with the Vasanai curry and Kadala curry for company. The Vasanai was quite a disappointment being pretty watery and nothing much to rave on the taste angle especially being a bit too plain for the liking. On the other hand, the kadala curry more than made up for it by being absolutely riveting. The texture of the kadala cooked in a perfectly brownish gravy was aromatic to say the least. We also got to try the chef special biryani laden with plenty of boiled potatoes and was pretty esculent and good to eat with the raita. Couple of friends also tried the meals option with the Vivaaha saapadu and especially a word of mouth needs to be showered on the Dal which was simply lip smacking. Also got to have a shot at their Onion Rava Dosa which was pretty mundane stuff and not really one to tickle the taste buds.

On the Dessert front, got a crack at the Chintamani Halwa which was nicely made with the essential ingredients to give the sweetened taste and the Elaneer Payasam which was a little watery with coconut pieces floating over and which tasted average.

At the end of it all, the food was really a thumbs up. Most of the items were bordering on the very good category radar which is really a positive sign. The menu and the pricing is the same as the older outlet. The rates may seem a bit high but feels justified considering the premium taste you get in return. The service was amiable and friendly.

Krishnavilasam comes as a great boon for the residential as well as the office crowd (could surely think of it as a nice place for a team lunch or dinner) of Adyar and the allied areas. It surely scores high on my books and the inception of this new Adyar outlet has in fact broadened the horizon by giving me now two Krishnavilasam options at my disposal to choose from. Would surely recommend this restaurant to anyone looking forward to experiencing a homely spread of heirloom cuisine made with a lot of care and love.

P.S: Sharing a pen up of my initial visit at this place below:
This restaurant is still a newbie in the market when compared to some of the illustrious bigwig brand value South Indian food chains in the city but in its short span has managed to capture the people's senses thanks to its captivatingly aromatic heirloom cuisine.

Aptly christened Krishnavilasam with the tagline - The Home of Classics , this restaurant is a refreshingly welcome change from the typical fare you have thrived upon all these years. You feel so much at home coming here in the sense you get that nativity and local touch and accentuated further with the mild classical flute music playing in the background. It is mostly a family place and you would especially see it being converged mostly by people from down south and you would always associate a hustle and bustle about this place.

The menu is a big bound book comprising a plethora of items from the South Indian cuisine and a selective spread of North Indian , Oriental and even Fusion. You would somehow categorize it as an out and out South Indian veg restaurant but having said that the non south Indian spread and taste is no way inferior.

The Krishnavillasam Sappadu is one of their speciality Thali's where they serve a truckload of items to mix and eat with your rice. Its the ideal meal to have for the rice and curry loving afficianado. Their Dosa's of different types are also delightful and goes along wonderfully well with their lip drooling chutney's in a slew of colors and flavors and not to forget the all conqueringly lingering podi masala. Ditto for their Uthapams , Idli's and Vada. Also the Masala which comes with Poori makes you enjoy your oiled golden fried piece more than ever before. Even the soup packs a punch and their Muligatawny soup which is light and spruced up with coriander is absolutely rivetting and a great digester. Not tried too much of their North Indian stuff but did however try their Jodhpuri Paneer which was cottage cheese in sandwich mode with 3 layers and stuffed inside with 2 types of masala - sweet and sour. It wasn't the best what I had but nevertheless was lovely and unique in its own way.

The ambiance isn't to celebrate but apt and idyllic for this kind of setting and decor is nice and warm with comfortable seating. The service was pretty quick barring the time taken for bringing the bill. The rates are quite on the higher side but very much justified considering the location and more importantly the delectable taste of their cuisine.

There is so much here to try that you would surely return to try some of their newer stuff and also to enjoy and relive a redux of what you've already relished :). You find the place always crowded to the brim and that typifies its ever growing popularity and people's love for this restaurant. Nungambakkam has quite an amazing repertoire of restaurants to boast of and this is another feather in the cap for the food paradise of Chennai. Definitely recommended family restaurant!.

Meena Tai's - Magnificiently Maharashtrian!

Meena Tai's is a huge shot in the arm for Chennai city. It is located in the upmarket Venus colony suburb in Poes Garden in a two storied complex with Meena Tai's occupying the lower slot and Batlivala&Khanabhoy, a Parsi restaurant taking the top half. It's the first ever full fledged restaurant offering Maharashtrian cuisine and is a remarkable addition to the restaurant market.

Again it's not just about bringing a different cuisine for the heck of it in order to be cool and different but a lot of research and behind the scenes work have been undertaken to ensure good ground is covered so as to ensure the customer gets a true blue authentic Maharashtrian culinary experience. They have also gone beyond the boundary in showcasing that Maharashtrian food has a much larger oeuvre in variety and entirety as opposed to the usual myths associated with it. They are out to break the stereotypes and misconceptions that unfortunately this cuisine from the West is pigeonholed into. The aim is to bring as diverse and unique a cuisine as possible borrowed and curated from the different communities to bring to the fore the richness and tradition of the culinary spread. They also plan to highlight on the different influences and launch a story around to make the whole process more authentic and real.

The place has a vintage old world charm to it. The beauty about it is it feels classical from the bygone era yet modern and bohemian. More of simplistic elegance than over the top. It makes you feel laid back and relaxed and almost gives you that feel of being in a home away from home and that's what really makes you instantly connect with the place. The mild Marathi music adds to the feel good factor. The confluence of the history and tradition with a new age appeal gives it a very classy yet contemporary feel. The underplay is beautiful!.

We were here on an "On the House" invite to try some of the special offerings of the restaurant. We were given a set menu from which items were brought to the table.

We began our foray with the "Lomboo Sharbat" - a lemon juice with a dash of cardamom and it was riveting and invigorating and set the tone for things to follow. Then what followed was the "Matttha" - a spiced up buttermilk which was like nirvana. We couldn't refrain from having repeat servings of the same as it was just too contagious.

And on to the starter section we were first given the "Peruchi Dahyati Koshimbir"  - A Guava based curd salad which had a very nice taste and then the "Papad kozhimbir" which were crushed papads with a few veggies. It was crispy and a decent snack but however felt a bit too briny. Then we had the "Mini Matar karanji" - a peas based patty and the "Surnaache Kaap" - a yum preparation, both of which were exquisite. And next was the turn of the evergreen Sabudana Vada made from Tapioca roots and it was mind blowing to say the least. This was the only known Maharashtrian dish I've tried my hand at before but whatever I had here was just superlative and went so well with the garlic curd chutney.

Mini Matar Karanji & Surnaache Kaap

Peruchi Dahyati Koshimbir

Sabudana Vada

Peruchi Dahyati Koshimbir

      

After our tryst with the starters, we were given the "Thalipeeth" - a dosa/pesarat kind of dish to eat along with the "Vaangyache Dahyatle Bhareet" - a brinjal in a whitened curd avatar and it was sensational. Seldom have I liked Brinjal so much but this was in a league of its own. Then we moved on to "Jowar/Bhajra Bakri" - millet based roti's to go along with "Kelpulachi Bhaaji" - Banana blossom in a buttermilk paste which was delectable. Also we got to sample rice with chilli's and crushed paruppu vada for company along with a few condiments.

We rounded off dinner with desserts in the form of "Chirote" - a sugary sweetened round thingy and the "Piyush" - an ornated shrikhand with nuts, pista and badam which resulted in being the perfect foil to end a highly satisfactory meal.













The food really lived up to expectations and was unanimously liked by all of us. There were some items bearing an eerie resemblances to certain dishes from down south which is understandable as food has a history of being passed down the ages with different regions and communities adding their own flavoring and touch in line with the nativity and tradition. It was quite an exhilarating experience getting to savour heirloom cuisine brought down from an unchartered territory like Maharashtra especially for South Indian folks like us who are not aware of the vastness of the spread. It was also educative to learn about the history of the cuisine which has evolved over time and how it has gotten passed on from generation to generation.

The service was exemplary with each dish explained to us in detail with interesting snippets thrown in. The orderliness and time between each of the items was also just about fine. They were really hospitable and acceding to all our requests and it seriously felt pleasant to dine here. The rates are hard to comment as we were on invite but on a cursory glance at the menu, the pricing seemed par for the course considering the diversity, location, spread and ambiance. Parking is not an issue as there is abundant space available.

The montage has come out really well and one cannot but appreciate the intricacies and detailing gone in to making the place what it is. Kudos for not going the usual tried and tested path and instead coming out with a trademark of their own. They are unique and clearly distinguish themselves from the rest of the pack. It also paves the way for the city to open its arms for similar dynamic ventures going forward. Also they score heavily on the requisite factors - interiors, the architectural design, the overall feel of the surroundings and the most paramount of all - the food.

You cannot brand Meena Tai as just another restaurant. It's much beyond that and one should experience it to really appreciate it. Come to Meena Tai's to devour home food of your neighbourhood communities and regions made with a lot of heart and passion.

Cheeeeeeeesiliciousness Ecstasy @Links!

Dear Cheese,

You can truly make me melt;
Coz I feel for you so heartfelt

The emotions you generate are as soft as a feather;
But, the stranglehold you have on me is harder than leather

You will always and forever be my crush;
Just your mere presence is enough to make me blush

One bite into you and I'm bowled;
And in your clutch I'm owned

Bottom or up, sideways or midway you always add value;
That's precisely the reason I fall head over heels in love with you :)

Thank you for being a part of me;
Let the romance continue to be!

Links is the ultimate destination for the out and out cheese loving aficionado. They have a plethora of stuff oozing with cheese in abundance. It was a long pending visit to this place and I must say it was worth the wait. Located in a small vestibule in Raja Annalamai Road, Purasalwalkam this joint dishes out some of the finest short eats you would have ever eaten.

Our ravenous foray began with the cheese bread sticks which were served as thin slices with a delectable green chutney and a smattering of cheese sauce. It was simply a delight smearing the bread slices with the condiments served and the best way to describe the taste would be to just gauge the expression on our faces which said it all. Then came the quintessential and perennially favorite Murukku sandwich. Legend goes that this place was the first to whip up this delectable snack. It was different from the usual one's I've tasted but there's nothing like having a crack at the original and most authentic and needless to say it tasted marvelous. The crunchiness of the murukku with the soft stuffing of veggies made up the perfect confluence. And then arrived the much raved about London Toast. Toasted bread subtly hidden under an ornate bed of cheese and veggies, this one was top notch. The Open Garlic Toast was another win with an overload of a combination of cheese and garlic. And the best was reserved for the last with the Corn cheese Canopes. Awesomeness reached a new level with the gregarious coating of cheese and bhujia over the canope cups holding the corn. Trust me, this was contagious and am sure you would echo my sentiments when once you grab one for yourself. We also had a bite at a couple of cupcakes which were palatable.

Cheese Bread Sticks

Murukku Sandwich

London Toast

Open Garlic Toast

Corn Canopes

Links is situated in a very miniscule place but has a buzzing atmosphere to it. It was quite a sight to see so many people throng this incy wincy outlet. You only have the option to stand and eat but it was well worth it as what you get served here are some of the finest quality short eats over the length and breath of the city. The rates are a little on the higher side but not something you would slouch over. Forget about parking and facilities, just make sure you get here somehow to get a taste of their yummylicious food.

This place is a huge boon for people living in Purasalwalkam and allied areas. They have a host of other stuff which I would like to gorge on whenever I get a chance next to visit this neck of the woods. If you are a lover of cheese, you definitely have a feast in store. For me personally, it certainly was one of a kind cheesilicious experience.

Down Bessy side at Cafe Downtown

Downtown is one nice little up street cafe. Located right on the intersecting Besant Nagar road in a 2 storey duplex, this one ticks all the right boxes from what you would expect normally at a cafe. There is a nice easy feel about the place and the food is great with a plethora of options in store. This is one place where you can yak yak leisurely to your heart's content with fellow like minded companions.

The ambiance is done up based on a lot of wood work and the decor is simple with brown wooden furniture. There is some comforting music playing at the background and the yellow cubicle bulbs gives it a gloomy touch. It's not hard to configure that this cafe points towards the right direction when you are especially looking to chill and relax with some beverages and nic-nacs for company.

The color palette is done up tastefully with a lot of cream and fabric making it look elegant and professional. There is nothing over the top and they haven't done anything extra to elevate on the kitsch factor. They have kept the surrounding minimal which works well here.

We were invited for an 'On the House' meal where we got to savor a host of stuff from their attic. We were a big crowd and happily ensconced to the top floor and as we were the only one's there, turned out to be a double whammy. We had a shot at their different coolers, beverages. smoothies and milkshakes of which many of them stuck the right chord. The shakes were very thick and large in size and will surely make you feel heavy. After the dosage of drinks, it was the turn of the Waldorf Salad comprising predominantly of apple chunks laced with a tad of walnuts and capsicum and glazed with honey. It had a creamy tangy taste to it. Next was the turn of the Quesadillas which resembled triangular chappathies stuffed with veggies. The filling was to the brim with an assortment of vegetables and it tasted good. Then marked the arrival of the much raved about Rice balls. They were in the form of cutlets and had the perfect combination of being crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside. Was unique in taste and surely one of their signature specialties. The only blip was the accompaniment sauce was a little wee bit on the quantity front.

Once the starters were done, we moved onto the main course where we first got to have a bite into their boxed panneer burgers. The burger was simple with big square chunk of cottage cheese interspersed inside the bun along with your usual lettuce and tomatoes. It wasn't outstanding but nevertheless tasted fairly decent. The pizza was nicely made with lots of cheese intermingled with a few exotic veggies. It was pretty good however there was a heavy overpowering of tomato ketchup which could have been minimal. The pink sauce spaghetti pasta coated with cheese and basil was a winner though it also had a slightly high tomato puree taste. It will be better however if they replace their burger bun with a slice of garlic bread to go with the pasta. And for sandwiches they gave us a Mexican/Club sandwich combo with one tier being curried and the other more in the european style. Biting into both the layers together was an epicurean treat. Would have surely gobbled another piece if I had the wherewithal to do so. The food more or less made our tummies packed to the rafters but we had to also give the desserts a shot :). Got to taste the special fudge brownie with ice-cream which was kinda disappointing because the brownie was a little chicky and didn't blend well. But this was just a one off as the crepe with nutella was marvelous. The waffles were nice too and so was the caramel cake which was a delight.

It was a great roster and they made sure we got to have a crack at virtually most of the items from the different segments. And most of what we tasted was surely a win. A little amelioration can help in making it even better. The service was exemplary and the managing partner was very sweet in hearing our views and taking suggestions. The rates are akin to similar cafe based chains.

The Downtown cafe caters to the best of both worlds. If you're the one looking for insouciance and cooling your heels over a cup of coffee you will get that. And if you're looking to come as a big crowd wanting to confabulate nineteen to the dozen with your set of friends as we experienced, that's also possible. This cafe is surely one of the better upmarket cafe's worth recommending. It was indeed a pleasure to dine in at the Downtown.

Barbecue Nation comes to KNK!

Barbeque Nation has been one of the shining stars of Chennai in the grilled sector over the past few years and it was only apt that they opened an outlet in the much cherished and posh Khadar Nawaz Khan road. It's located inside the opulent Bergamo Mall in the second floor.

The set up is very similar to every other Barbecue Nation outlet. Surrounded into multiple enclosures with brick walls all over and engulfed with a sea of brown it more or less typifies the barbecue culture. Brick, brown, barbecue and the buzz surely seems to be going hand in hand. The decor feels easy and comfortable. Normally you find barbecue outlets being crowded by big corporate crowds but somehow didn't witness that here as this one seemed relatively calmer and quieter.

And coming to the food it's the consistency which marvels. They seldom have an off day and just don't seem to miss the beat. The grills are tempered with the right texture and have the perfect amount of juiciness and punchiness in them. I have frequented barbecue restaurant's too often and hence already know pre empt what's in store. But having said that it's hard to pinpoint and lay out a criticism because they are so good at what they give you. The pannneer is most likely always top draw and the cajun sized potatoes makes me fall head over heels in love with it. This is the first place I got to taste that sinful delight and it has not lost it's charm one bit over the last so many years. It still retains the crunchy tangy linchpin taste. Most of the grills usually compete amongst themselves for top stakes. On this occsssion we also had a Live counter where we savoured Honey chilli pineapple and Gobi Manchurian. The former was a showstealer and was delightful. I expected the latter to be the usual suspect and run off the mill but it turned out being one of the best Manchurian's I have had a crack at.

After the overflow of starters, you hardly have the wherewithal to try anything on the main course side. These kind of restaurant's virtually make you follow the 80-20 rule when it comes to the ratio of starters:main course. From whatever little I had, the peppery lemon soup was passable and the garlic naan with Dal Bhukara for company was fairly good, however the lentils lacked a little on the creamy side. The skosh of desserts I had was fantastic and have to specifically single out the Kulfi which was masterclass. Made in the ad-libbing style, you get to choose your flavour from a sample of 6 and add the necessary toppings and voila you have a lipsmacking kulfi ready for you to drool into.

You need to skim through the gamut of options to find a negative nail and most likely you won't find it because the food is so good here. You just eat, eat and eat like an ogre until you're on the verge of detonating. The service is another high point in this restaurant. The waiters will make no stone unturned to ensure you have a fabulous experience. The rates are a little on the higher side and my only real complaint is that they could perhaps offer a complementary mocktail along with the meal.

Barbeque Nation scores big on most factors and with it's entry into the cornerstone of KNK road, it just got its level elevated a touch higher. It's almost like a confluence of brilliance seeing BBN and KNK coming together. In essence, a perfect place to hog as much as you can till the tummy blows the conch shells.