Finally dawned upon the chance to have a peekaboo into the most happening and trending restaurant in Chennai right now. I was simply taken aback by the sheer class of this place. Both the exteriors and interiors have been so tastefully designed that you just can't but marvel about the opulence glittering right across you. The picturesque setup and the different palate of colors esp. their signature Turquoise blue make it look so cool , chic , urban , quirky and delightfully appealing. This Hi-fi restaurant is totally designed to excellence and the place sure stakes claim for being perhaps the most good looking restaurant in town . The ambience is superlative and needs to be experienced to be believed.
Speaking about all the good looks , you wonder whether the food quotient will be able to match up to the class of the decor. This place primarily focuses on the culinary delicacies from the North of India. Started off on our foodie journey by having a Nariyal Aur Subz shorba which was a watery coconut soup with veggies mostly comprising of smudged pieces of cottage cheese. It was light on the tummy and felt like having rasam.
Coming to the starters and this being a predominantly Tandoori restaurant you sure were going to have a veritable Paneer affair on the cards. It is one thing which never fails to excite me and seeing copious offerings of it on the menu with different names decided to ask the waiter to help in choosing and the suggestion was Lucknowi Paneer Paraath. They were just 4 pieces but large in size and jawdropping in taste. They were succulently soft and marshmellowy mellow and you could literally feel them melting juicily into the mouth. It was also pretty unique as it was coated on top with a masala which looked like a layer of omelette , but whatever it was surely didn't let any stones unturned and was delightfully salivating. The non veg starters ordered met with a kind of mixed response.
For the main course , decided to go only with Indian Bread and ordered Naan , Chilli cheese Kulcha , Hare Pyaaz Kulcha. The kulcha's especially were soft and fluffy and loaded inside judiciously with the relevant toppings. It sure was intriguing and felt as if they could do justice on their own without any side dish.
However we did order couple of gravies , one being the Dum Ke Kali Dal and the Tarkari Masaledar. The Black Dal was good but the zing was missing somewhere and it wasn't as creamy as some of the Makhani's i've had elsewhere. The Masala gravy was pretty nice with an amalgam of veggies comprising Aloo , Gobi , Paneer , Capsicum , Peas etc.
Ended our dinner sojourn by having a Paper baked chocolate pudding. I envisaged this dessert in some way but the resultant was something else. It was basically fudged chocolate cake in one strata with vanilla ice cream on another and chocolate sauce to dip in a small bowl. The ice cream to accompany the cake was quite too little and nothing much to write home about on this one.
Overall had a mixed experience on the foodie side with some items standing out and some bordering on the decent category. In relative terms with the ambience factor , the food part has some catching up to do. The service was ok but the refilling of water and the add-ons could have been a wee bit quicker. The rates are on the high side but justified considering the location and the resplendent setting.
Nungambakkam is home to some of the finest dine outs and can boast of being the Numero Uno in the food circle of Chennai. With Bombay Brasserie , its reputation just got elevated a notch further up the ladder.
Friday, September 12, 2014
Saturday, August 30, 2014
An evening with Jalpaan!
After hearing all the rave reviews , a visit to Jalpaan was always on the cards. Having heard that they had opened their new outlet closer to home at Adyar , was all the more looking to seize the opportunity to dine at this place and finally the transition from 'Wishlist' to 'Been there list' was complete as I headed here for dinner on a Saturday evening.
It is located in Sardar Patel Road in the complex that also houses GRT Jewellers. It is on the 3rd floor and as you peekaboo from below , it looks like a pretty small place but on actually entering you find that it is very spacious and can accomodate quite a large bunch of customers. There is a lot of brownness converging the surroundings with Brown seats and surfaces. In between the walls are square lit yellow coverings and the roofs are smeared with an array of small bright lights sparkling over. It gives you that mild Punjabi feel and flavour.
The plates and glasses were covered with silver coating and the menu was in the form of a thick binded album book running across quite a few pages comprising mainly of Tandoori and Italian food. We started our foray with the Big Nachos which had large thin slices of the Tortilla chips garnished on the side with an amalgam of exotic veggies. It was deceptive in appearance as when you unveil the bottom portion of the chips you find a luxurious spread of Red kidney beans with cheese topping. It was very heavy and totally relishing. Wanted to try one of their chats and the Karara Palak chat looked interesting. It was like a Dahi Puri chaat with Fried spinach pieces replacing the Puris and sprinkled with the curd and the desired sweet and spices. It was different and kudos for the experimentation.
The next in line was the much awaited Paneer Tikka. In many restaurants , the taste of Paneer seems to have a big weightage in rating the overall portfolio of the cuisine and as an evergreen lover of this sinful delicacy my curiosity and temptation was pretty high. And it perfectly lived up to the billing by being superlative. Had the SARSONWALA PANEER which were marinated in yoghurt paste tossed up with herbs and spices. It was spongy soft and it was an experience slicing and dicing the yellow square and seeing it melt waftly in the mouth :)
For the main course had a Naan , Paneer Kulcha and Jalpaan Dal. The Indian Bread was fluffy and well made and their signature Dal Makhani was out of the world. The lentils were simmering over the delightful gravy giving the perfect feel to the taste buds. Easily one of the best Black Dals i have ever had. Also had a Boondi Raita for additional company which was decent with a slight tinge of masala. Rounded off dinner by having one of their mocktails "Pink Panther" flavoured with a dash of strawberry , pineapple , almond and hazelnut blended with cream and it was absolutely delightful and a perfect signal to end a very satisfying meal.
The pricing is par for the course and the service was pretty quick barring the regular refilling of water which could have been more prompt. The ambience is pretty neat but still a little way off from being exceptional. But the most important part the food is scrumptious and that's what holds the key. All in all looks like another epicurean success story. For me personally , another welcome addition to the list of good restaurants to dine out in the city thus further widening the radar :).
It is located in Sardar Patel Road in the complex that also houses GRT Jewellers. It is on the 3rd floor and as you peekaboo from below , it looks like a pretty small place but on actually entering you find that it is very spacious and can accomodate quite a large bunch of customers. There is a lot of brownness converging the surroundings with Brown seats and surfaces. In between the walls are square lit yellow coverings and the roofs are smeared with an array of small bright lights sparkling over. It gives you that mild Punjabi feel and flavour.
The plates and glasses were covered with silver coating and the menu was in the form of a thick binded album book running across quite a few pages comprising mainly of Tandoori and Italian food. We started our foray with the Big Nachos which had large thin slices of the Tortilla chips garnished on the side with an amalgam of exotic veggies. It was deceptive in appearance as when you unveil the bottom portion of the chips you find a luxurious spread of Red kidney beans with cheese topping. It was very heavy and totally relishing. Wanted to try one of their chats and the Karara Palak chat looked interesting. It was like a Dahi Puri chaat with Fried spinach pieces replacing the Puris and sprinkled with the curd and the desired sweet and spices. It was different and kudos for the experimentation.
The next in line was the much awaited Paneer Tikka. In many restaurants , the taste of Paneer seems to have a big weightage in rating the overall portfolio of the cuisine and as an evergreen lover of this sinful delicacy my curiosity and temptation was pretty high. And it perfectly lived up to the billing by being superlative. Had the SARSONWALA PANEER which were marinated in yoghurt paste tossed up with herbs and spices. It was spongy soft and it was an experience slicing and dicing the yellow square and seeing it melt waftly in the mouth :)
For the main course had a Naan , Paneer Kulcha and Jalpaan Dal. The Indian Bread was fluffy and well made and their signature Dal Makhani was out of the world. The lentils were simmering over the delightful gravy giving the perfect feel to the taste buds. Easily one of the best Black Dals i have ever had. Also had a Boondi Raita for additional company which was decent with a slight tinge of masala. Rounded off dinner by having one of their mocktails "Pink Panther" flavoured with a dash of strawberry , pineapple , almond and hazelnut blended with cream and it was absolutely delightful and a perfect signal to end a very satisfying meal.
The pricing is par for the course and the service was pretty quick barring the regular refilling of water which could have been more prompt. The ambience is pretty neat but still a little way off from being exceptional. But the most important part the food is scrumptious and that's what holds the key. All in all looks like another epicurean success story. For me personally , another welcome addition to the list of good restaurants to dine out in the city thus further widening the radar :).
Monday, July 28, 2014
Remembering the melody King V Kumar!
V Kumar was an excellent composer whose melodies continue to hold stead even today. Most of his tunes are embellished with such a fine melody structure and the nonchalant way in which he has played with the swaras in his compositions are such a delight.
The mellifluous melody "Unnidam Mayanguguren" rendered by KJ Yesudas with the scintillating piano run-ins is haunting to this day , still remember how captivated I was listening to the arresting tune of "Oru Naal Yaaro" for the first time , the hilariously tuned Tam Brahm dialect based song "Aduthatha Ambujathai Paarthela" is so much fun and always brings a smile and what can one say about his other beautiful compositions such as "Punnagai Mannan Poovizhi Kannan" , "Oraayiram Karpanai" , "Kathodu Naan Paaduven" , "Vaazhvil Sowbagiyam" , "Sapthaswaram Punnagayil" , "Madhanorchavam Rathiyoduthaan" , "Naan Unnai Vaazhtthi Paadugiren" etc which have truly stood the test of time. Many of K Balachander's movies are adorned with musical gems thanks to this man.
Remembering the melody king Mr V Kumar on his birth anniversary !!
Unnidam Mayangugiren - Then Sindhudhe Vaanam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lc1v6uBKtKs
Oru Naal Yaaro - Major Chandrakanth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFHqu24QevA
Aduthathu Ambujatha Paathela - Edhir Neechal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gfOuldRWzU
A nice playlist comprising some of V Kumar's best compositions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNFckaXXUwE&list=PL5CAKqOYehDv0x_aUviFfzcyR_FFPwtfz
The mellifluous melody "Unnidam Mayanguguren" rendered by KJ Yesudas with the scintillating piano run-ins is haunting to this day , still remember how captivated I was listening to the arresting tune of "Oru Naal Yaaro" for the first time , the hilariously tuned Tam Brahm dialect based song "Aduthatha Ambujathai Paarthela" is so much fun and always brings a smile and what can one say about his other beautiful compositions such as "Punnagai Mannan Poovizhi Kannan" , "Oraayiram Karpanai" , "Kathodu Naan Paaduven" , "Vaazhvil Sowbagiyam" , "Sapthaswaram Punnagayil" , "Madhanorchavam Rathiyoduthaan" , "Naan Unnai Vaazhtthi Paadugiren" etc which have truly stood the test of time. Many of K Balachander's movies are adorned with musical gems thanks to this man.
Remembering the melody king Mr V Kumar on his birth anniversary !!
Unnidam Mayangugiren - Then Sindhudhe Vaanam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lc1v6uBKtKs
Oru Naal Yaaro - Major Chandrakanth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFHqu24QevA
Aduthathu Ambujatha Paathela - Edhir Neechal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gfOuldRWzU
A nice playlist comprising some of V Kumar's best compositions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNFckaXXUwE&list=PL5CAKqOYehDv0x_aUviFfzcyR_FFPwtfz
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Mahela's SSC Love Affair!
The love affair between Mahela Jayawardene and SSC just simply refuses to stop brewing.
It is almost like an unwritten rule that Mahela has to always score a truckload of runs each and every time he goes on to bat on this feather-bed of a track tailor-made just for him to keep making centuries.
The eye-popping hegemonic 11 centuries at the SSC apart , it has been a truly defining test career for Sri Lanka's Mr Silken Touch. Over 11 and a half thousand runs , highest ever test score of 374 by a right handed batsman , highest ever partnership of 624 runs with his buddy Sangakkara , 34 test centuries equalling the likes of legends like Sunny and Lara.
The caressing drive through the covers , the finessely timed late cut and the clinicality of his inside out shot will always hold a special place in the hearts of cricket lovers. When Mahela is on song its truly a sight to behold. We will truly miss you.
It is almost like an unwritten rule that Mahela has to always score a truckload of runs each and every time he goes on to bat on this feather-bed of a track tailor-made just for him to keep making centuries.
The eye-popping hegemonic 11 centuries at the SSC apart , it has been a truly defining test career for Sri Lanka's Mr Silken Touch. Over 11 and a half thousand runs , highest ever test score of 374 by a right handed batsman , highest ever partnership of 624 runs with his buddy Sangakkara , 34 test centuries equalling the likes of legends like Sunny and Lara.
The caressing drive through the covers , the finessely timed late cut and the clinicality of his inside out shot will always hold a special place in the hearts of cricket lovers. When Mahela is on song its truly a sight to behold. We will truly miss you.
Monday, July 21, 2014
The 28 year special syndrome!
28 years after Kapil Dev won the world cup in 1983, Mahendra Dhoni does the same in 2011.
And now 28 years after Kapil took India to victory in the Lords test in 1986, Dhoni follows the same path by taking India to a famous win in 2014.
Whether you are an average cricket fan or connoisseur or a cricketer toiling his sweat out in the field , nothing can beat the satisfaction and happiness of a compelling hard fought test victory and if it happens overseas it just makes it all the more sweeter and memorable and when it happens in the historic so called Mecca of cricket 'Lords' , it just makes the occasion more so very extra special and momentous.
And now 28 years after Kapil took India to victory in the Lords test in 1986, Dhoni follows the same path by taking India to a famous win in 2014.
Whether you are an average cricket fan or connoisseur or a cricketer toiling his sweat out in the field , nothing can beat the satisfaction and happiness of a compelling hard fought test victory and if it happens overseas it just makes it all the more sweeter and memorable and when it happens in the historic so called Mecca of cricket 'Lords' , it just makes the occasion more so very extra special and momentous.
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Remembering 24 years of Anjali (1990)
Anjali is a special film in many ways. An emotional tearjerker showcasing the plight of a family dealing with a special child. The subtleties, poignancy and undercurrent prevailing are all wonderfully captured on Motion Picture. And the way it portrayed the community/colony style of living makes every child growing up in the 80's and 90's to really connect with the movie.
Above all it is the music which gives life to the scenes. The title music leaves a lump in your throat and is so powerful to even move a precipice, the end score shatters and breaks your heart into smithereens and all the pieces which come in between are so precisionly scored and timed elevating the movie viewing experience to another level. A masterpiece of a re-recording worth celebrating for eons, listen to the full Background score and relive the experience of the magical force behind this motion picture.
Remembering 24 years of Anjali which released on 12th July 1990!
Above all it is the music which gives life to the scenes. The title music leaves a lump in your throat and is so powerful to even move a precipice, the end score shatters and breaks your heart into smithereens and all the pieces which come in between are so precisionly scored and timed elevating the movie viewing experience to another level. A masterpiece of a re-recording worth celebrating for eons, listen to the full Background score and relive the experience of the magical force behind this motion picture.
Remembering 24 years of Anjali which released on 12th July 1990!
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Unthinkable 10 Year Tennis Hegemony on Clay and Grass
From 2005 to 2014 barring the 2013 Wimbledon final alone , either Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal have been part of every single French Open and Wimbledon final contested in the last 10 years.
Beat that which accounts to a staggering 19 of a possible 20 Grand Slam Finals *_* out of which they themselves have contested in 7 of these Grand Finales.
This is something more than just domination , hegemony , ruthlessness and legendryness.
Hats off to Rafa and Fedex !! _^_
Beat that which accounts to a staggering 19 of a possible 20 Grand Slam Finals *_* out of which they themselves have contested in 7 of these Grand Finales.
This is something more than just domination , hegemony , ruthlessness and legendryness.
Hats off to Rafa and Fedex !! _^_
Monday, July 7, 2014
Disappointment of a Federer Wimbledon Defeat
So disappointed that Federer lost. As a young kid , was so fascinated reading the name William Renshaw all over the winners list, then personally saw the best of Sampras and was witness to him equal the record set of Renshaw by winning 7 wimbledon's.
And now when I hoped that Roger Federer will do the impossible by winning his 8th Wimbledon , he falls agonisingly short in a humdinger of a 5 setter. I know serving first always helps in a decider but after the way you fought back in the 4th and the way you started in the 5th by winning your initial games to love, really can't accept nor digest this defeat.
However well played Djokovic, it will do you a world of good for defeating the greatest grass court player ever in a wimbledon final and also in the process get the mickey off your back which has clung on to you in your last 3 slam finals.
As a lover of statistics and a fan of Federer, a tinge of disappointment remains but thanks for the breathtaking entertainment provided on thy hallowed turf of grass at Wimbledon.
And now when I hoped that Roger Federer will do the impossible by winning his 8th Wimbledon , he falls agonisingly short in a humdinger of a 5 setter. I know serving first always helps in a decider but after the way you fought back in the 4th and the way you started in the 5th by winning your initial games to love, really can't accept nor digest this defeat.
However well played Djokovic, it will do you a world of good for defeating the greatest grass court player ever in a wimbledon final and also in the process get the mickey off your back which has clung on to you in your last 3 slam finals.
As a lover of statistics and a fan of Federer, a tinge of disappointment remains but thanks for the breathtaking entertainment provided on thy hallowed turf of grass at Wimbledon.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Orkut Memories - Everlasting but gone too soon!
Can't believe Orkut is soon going to be erstwhile and a thing of the past with effect from September 2014. The impact it has created is profound especially amongst those growing up in their teens and early adulthood at the time when this social media site was basking in full glory.
While it lasted, Orkut has provided so many fond moments and memories to cherish for a life time. Sharing a few of those wild and sweet bits of nostalgia in Tanglish style
- What fun it was to trade testimonials from friends :)
- Ogling into friends wall's and peeping to see with whom they were kadala pottyfying :D
- Getting embroiled in crazy banters and accusing each other all for a suppa matter just to prove the authenticity of who is having more number of friends :P
- Logging in from some other account to view a profile in order to avoid being seen on the recent visitor's list ;)
- Taking pride and time in updating profile hopelessly hoping that somebody awesome takes a visit to the profile :B
- Uploading the most wannabe photo ever as display pic :O (even now looking back gives the creeps)
- Communities la adi dhadi sandai mostly but also meaningful discussions once in a while
- Scrapping endlessly with fellow vetti's :Y
- Re-connecting with lost friends and forming friendship with people who you've never met and even knowing of certain love stories blossoming and taking shape via the Orkut route <3
Orkut has truly given a lot to smile and laugh about. Facebook maybe the all conquering emperor of Social Networking but it is Orkut who was the true trendsetter and which laid the foundation for the giant today that is Facebook. #RIPOrkut #Thanksfortheamazingmemories
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Stunning Composition from Ramanujam
Thuli Thuliyai from Ramanujam is indeed a stunner of a composition tuned by Ramesh Vinayakam.
Looks like he has indulged in some scale play by taking the Harikambhoji raga and by more or less obliterating the 'Pa' (Panchamam) creates an interesting soundscape in Rageshri ragam. And on the rhythm side is the hardly noticeable camoulflaging of the 7 beat cycle Misram.
Abundantly rich on soul and feel , its a simple yet striking Indian melody laced with a tingy western influence and layered with a mild Hindustani touch making it a song that has a lot going for it.
Give in a listen !!
Thuli Thuliyai - Ramanujan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7JZBc4hTgQ
Looks like he has indulged in some scale play by taking the Harikambhoji raga and by more or less obliterating the 'Pa' (Panchamam) creates an interesting soundscape in Rageshri ragam. And on the rhythm side is the hardly noticeable camoulflaging of the 7 beat cycle Misram.
Abundantly rich on soul and feel , its a simple yet striking Indian melody laced with a tingy western influence and layered with a mild Hindustani touch making it a song that has a lot going for it.
Give in a listen !!
Thuli Thuliyai - Ramanujan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7JZBc4hTgQ
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