Brick House Bistro comes to Alwarpet!

Brick House Bistro has been one place I've always wanted to visit but never got a chance with the distance being one of the major factors having been placed in the other neck of the woods in Annanagar. On hearing about their presence closer to home at Alwarpet, I was delighted and lapped up the opportunity to try it out at the earliest.

It's located bang in the middle of Eldams road and situated in a small passerby lane adjacent to McRennett. The place is pretty small with just about 4 tables. The color yellow and grey with bricked wallpaper walls virtually engulf the surroundings. The billing counter cabin has a few comic strips and there is a television set. It feels a perfect place where you can even come alone to grab a quick bite.

The blackened menu with items described in color and the cool icons to highlight the signature variants are quirky. They have starters, hot dogs, wings, burgers, italian, sandwiches, sides, milkshakes and coolers.

We were 2 of us and placed order for the following:
1) Cheesy Gooey Fries - Having heard so much of their jaw dropping fries, this item was the first mention on my lips. And boy, did it live upto expectations. A cheesy lover will simply gorge over this as the fries come with insane levels of melted cheese making you drool with excitement. Simply not for the weight conscious. It looks invigorating and tastes lip smacking. The overload of cheese in abundance at the top somewhat alienates the fries at the bottom which feels a little let down. But overall, no real complaints. This one is unique and one of a kind and you will have a ball squishing and joyfully putting them across your mouth.

2) Bruschetta with Tomato and Olives - This was another winner. There were 5 small pieces with a plethora of tomatoes and olives infused with a layer of coated cheese. It was filling and very much worth for it's price which was a shade under 100.

3) Mushroom and Onion Sandwich - The bread were stuffed to the rafters and tasted delicious. It was juicy and packed judiciously with a bunch of mushrooms and was totally top notch. They also came along with sufficient fries for company.

4) Paneer Burger - Burgers are one such food item where I wouldn't mind if they end up being junky, messy and clumsy. And it was exactly as I envisaged. It was a thrill biting across those big sized buns which were meaty and creamy on the inside and it was fun getting the hands dirty. The inside portion was fantastic, however the buns need some amelioration. They didn't seem to be baked properly, but the overall product covered the looseness of the bread.

5) Cold Coffee - Just like how you would expect it. Came in a tall glass and was refreshing. A decent way to end a heavy meal.

All of the above costed 720 bucks inclusive of taxes. The service was quick, the only grouse however was that all the items came at the same time which was a bit of a hassle. Also it was a little surprising to see the sandwiches come in with so many fries but nothing at all came along with the burger.

Irrespective of the minor quips, there is a lot of positives going on for BHB and despite the space constraints, this one looks like being a big hit. Brick house Bistro is certainly a great addition to this stretch of the horizon at Alwarpet. Go, grab your burger and have a ball.

Brew Room - Igniting the insouciance!

Brew Room is one lovely upscale cafe where you can have a good old fashioned confabulation with fellow acquaintances. There is a serene feel about it and it has such a feel good factor to it. You have the lawn enclosure which makes it feel like you're in a hill station. The nestled white gates with the grass surrounding and the comfortable decor makes it feel so restrained, laidback and easy. Recommended especially during the evening hours. The inside space has a nice old school touch to it. It is more along the lines of the good ol quainty houses with see sawing thatched roofs.

This is one place where you can spend some quality time without a care in the world. You can just sip your tea/coffee for as long as you like and make this place feel like your second home. It's a fantastic place for beverages, desserts and nibbles. More than the food, it's the place which wins the maximum brownie points.

They have a decent enough menu with quite a few good options in the fray. Their pastries especially are delicious. The rates are a bit on the upward scale but you come to expect that considering it's situated in a star hotel and also taking note of the ambiance factor which is top notch.

If you're looking for a relaxing and laidback place to spend some free time, you really do not have to look beyond the Brew Room.

Mr Mama sets foot to Chennai shores

After establishing it's footsteps on the shores of Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore Mr Mamagoto makes it's foray to down south chennai in grand fashion placing itself on the ozymandias of all food streets Khadar Nawaz Khan (KNK) road. It's located right at the heart in the first floor of the Oyster building.

It sparkles from the outside and as you step foot, you find the place to be hip, cool and chic. Very tastefully designed with a splash of colors and setting the mood is some good music playing at the background. It's more vibrant, quirky and louder than any Asian based restaurant I've been to before and has a pulsating feel good factor to it. You cannot but admire the showpieces on display and the large sized portraits placed in between the bamboo wood virtually sets the tone making it uber, attractive and uniquely bringing out the Pan Asian culture. The lighting is neither too bright nor dim and is just about right and the decor feels comfortable, laidback and relaxing.

The menu is inventive with flaps placed at the corner categorizing the options available viz Bar, small plates, Soup and salad, Signature, Wok Rice & noodles and Dessert. As we were there for an invite only event, got to have a crack at most of their specialties. The mocktails served were refreshing and great thirst quenchers. The shakes especially had a nice twang and creamy punch to them. Had a shot at about 5 different drinks and all of them were nice in their own way. The starters were kind of on and off. The grilled mushrooms came in variants of different sizes and shapes and one of them resembling a sea weed tasted quite bizarre and blank. Laying a bite into it mirrored the entire dish ordinary. The crispy chilli potatoes were the usual crispy self. The basil cups which came on leaves with toppings were passable. The Hua Hin rolls which came interspersed with various assorted stuff was easily the best of the day by some distance. Also happened to have a mild shot at the Oriental veg clear soup which was pretty run of the mill stuff. It did have it's share of veggies floating over but wasn't really anything to rave about. Had a skosh of some of the main course dishes and they really didn't appease the taste buds. The teriyaki was pretty bad to say the least and some of the other items had a heavy dose of cream and coconut which may not be preferable by all. But the ending was on a positive note with the Desserts competing with each other for top stakes. The Banofee pie was brilliant and I loved the feeling of pruning and creaming it across to the mouth. The Mama's home made chocolate cake was lingeringly lip smacking. The sojourn surely ended on a high.

The service was pretty quick but there were some misplacements and it would do a lot of good if the servers have an idea of what exactly is being served. New restaurant being perched on KNK road, it's taken for granted that the rates would be expensive and the norm is followed to the 'T'.

Overall it was a good experience with some plusses and minuses. Some amelioration especially on the main course and scaling up options for vegetarian could go along way in elevating the restaurant a notch higher. Mamagoto has began with a bang and from the initial response, it isn't hard to decipher that it has been welcomed with open arms. Initial days yes, but from the looks of it, Mamagoto is here to stay.

Nostalgia Hits - Shree Mithai Spencer Plaza & More

There is a pretty nostalgic memory associated with this particular Shree Mithai branch perched in spencer plaza. During the good old days, used to do audit for a client located here and was a regular visitor to this shop.

Have always enjoyed whatever they offered and even now after so many years the taste and memory about the place remains intact. The prices have gone up a notch higher but still well within expected limits.

Their snacks in the form of variants of Pattis, cutlets, samosas, bhajji's etc are a killer. The chaats here are some of the better ones you would find anywhere and the Chole Bhatoora can stake claim for being one of the best in town.

Earlier, they used to have round tables to stand and eat apart from a few seated tables. Now the system is all seated. Their racks of sweets will surely entice you to have a gleeful crack at them. The place is small but clean and well maintained.

Easily one of the best sweets and savoury shops in the city. And for me personally the added sweet memories. Always love visiting this branch of Shree Mithai.

Penning below my experience of eating a sample few items of their evergreen delicacies:
Shree Mithai is one place which has never ceased to amaze and appease. Goodness is always guaranteed and that's been the case in every one of my visits here. Today's stock consumed includes the following;
✅Club Kachori - Cute little fried Kachori's served with a ravishing potato gravy with smidgeon of panneer pieces inset.
✅Pav Bhaji - Juicy soft buns with an appetising bhaji serving as an ideal foil to get your mouth all smeared up with delight.
✅Chole Bhatoora - Needn't i even say anything here. There is a dearth of Chole in Chennai and this outlet serves the best ever black chole which goes jocularly well with the ballooned up bulk sized bhatoore.
✅Dahi Aloo Tikki - Shri Mithai lords over when it comes to anything with Dahi preparation and this one they got it bang on right with the crispy aloo ticket cutlets drenched in a colourful aroma of curd and supporting ingredients fit for a fest.
✅Chilli Cheese Toast - A sandwich to even out things and this one was grilled perfectly with cheese intermingled with green chilli's signalling the enticement in all it's splendour.
✅Kesar Badam Milk - The signature finale to end the meal. A swirl of badam's floating over tantalising yellow kesar milk and the richness is felt when smacked into the tongue.
All the above cost a shade over 450 bucks and the tummy was immensely satisfied with it being fed with such a largesse delectable fare. There are few places which I vouch for big time and recommend for wholesome and tasteful food and Shree Mithai right royally falls into that elite list without a shadow of a doubt.

Chinese Meets Chettinadu - Shangai Annaachi

I was a bit apprehensive about visiting Shanghai Annaachi. It is rather confusing to see a restaurant operating a pastiche of Chinese and South Indian predominantly Chettinadu based. The ambiance is also a mixture with the color palette more signifying a pan asian feel whereas the decor around and the wall portraits indicate a more closer down south feel.

Anyways, the habit of trying new places never dies within and hence we went ahead with deciding to explore what this place has to offer. And well why not. It is located in the main road in a complex adjacent to KNK and Wallacr Garden Road.

There aren't too many options for veg and as I eat egg was saved quite a bit. Went in with one of their specialties viz the Egg Karandi. It was fluffy and oval shape with an amalgam of veggies and cheese inside. Was quite nice to be frank and something I have never tasted before. Also had a bite at their Egg Appam. It was decent however felt the egg portion in the middle to be a bit thick, usually prefer it to be soft and soaky. Also had a chunk of one of their starters Milagai panneer varuval. Basically it's panneer deep fried and that's what it precisely was but the requisite spice was missing.

It's a little difficult to rate this place as most of their signature stuff are reserved for the carnivore lovers. Better to take a recommendation from someone who loves his meat. Accounting from just what I had, would term it under the average and above category.

Mongolian Special at China Town

China Town as a restaurant has been there for a very long time and it's been quite a popular choice in the mid range Pan asian category.

The ambiance is mild and akin to similar chinese eateries. Gloomy and dark with mild music playing at the background. Ballooned lights, miniature monks, sheets with chinese symbols inscribed and antique hangings more or less make up the place. The decor is simple and comfortable.

We were here as part of the Mongolian food festival. They had a few special sizzlers as part of the deal. I went along with assorted vegetable with ginger and garlic sizzler based on suggestion. It comprised of mushrooms, baby corn, tofu, brocolli etc of appropriate size. Unfortunately it does not come with rice and noodles. More of a salad of mixed veggies over a bed of chilli sauce. I thought it was pretty sumptuous.

The rates are pretty par for the course. It's a lot cheaper than some of the other restaurant's you would associate. This is the first time I am having a shot at a sizzler in a chinese restaurant and it wasn't a bad deal at all.

Overall a more than passable experience. The biggest plus point are the meagre rates which is surely a win and widens the
door for further options.

Winners - The Quintessential Bakery of choice!

The Winners bakery in Alwarpet has always been a trusted place of choice. They have a very good array of products and do an amazing job of whatever they dish out.

Their racks comprising of varieties of puffs, rolls, bun, sandwiches, cakes, pastries, tarts, breads etc are a sight to behold. Just a cursory glance at those layered rows will have your mouth smirk with excitement.

It is a pretty small outlet and not very convenient to have there itself. It's preferable to parcel your stuff and have at the comfort of your home. The rates are a little costlier than your usual bakery but it's well worth paying that buck extra as the quality you get is simply fantastic.

It's hard to pigeonhole and mention specifically as to what their top notch item is as most of the stuff they have on offer are top bracket draw. However personally I do have a little extra craving for their cheese n onion pie and never fail to grab a bite of that during my many visits here. The butter cream pastries in different flavors also happen to be awesome.

I've seldom been disappointed with Winners and I will keep coming here as and when I please. Easily one of the best bakeries in town.

Jupiter Express - Modeled on the Railways!

When I heard about this new restaurant 'Jupiter Express' modelled on the Indian railways, I was more than eager to check it out. Come to think of it, you do have cafe's pertaining to all kind of themes but a full fledged restaurant made to resemble a high end luxury train was something new and exciting. It is surely one of a kind at least in the city of Chennai.

Jupiter express is located in Gopalapuram and comes across as you take the passerby lane adjacent to Gangotree and is housed in a complex in between 'The Katti roll shop' and 'Bayleaf'. From the outset, there's no way you could imagine what you will encounter inset.

As you get upstairs to the first floor to the restaurant, you see a quirky door resembling that of a train compartment and also there is a booking counter by the side. Found it quite imaginative and attractive.

Once you enter you will be bowled by the set up. It is designed so beautifully that it gives you the feel of dining in a high styled upscale luxury coach. There is a lot of inventiveness in place with add-on's like platform, boggie, name plate of train, number and class of coach, seat and reservation list, replica of train windows, handle railing etc. There are also cartoons and wallpapers depicting passengers, luggages, porters, ticket collector, goods train and a host of other things bringing to light the cream of everything associated with the railways. It was quite exhilarating to witness all this and young kids am sure will really find favour with this train themed restaurant.

The seating is polarised into 3 fold. A massive table placed just outside where the train is situated and then a side enclosure which is your usual restaurant kind with elevated cushions and then there is the prominent coach bastion as you board the train which comprises the major portion and also is easily the most happening of the lot.

Coming to the food it is a full on vegetarian fare and they have plenty load of options spanning majorly North Indian and also quite a bit of Italian, Chinese and Continental added to the fray. The menu is very elaborate and keeps running into a number of pages. Even in a luxury train your options on food maybe limited but there is no shortage of choices here. Each of the items have a label attached to it and the categories are divided well with interesting taglines like soups are titled "The Opening Act", Salads come with the moniker of "The Insalate fix", Starters are termed as "Before the Ride" and the Main course is described as "The Masterpiece".

We decided to go Indian for the day and ordered a couple of starters viz Paneer Tikka and Veg Sheekh Kabab. The former was succulent and super soft and delicious. The latter had an a nice pasty mix to it. Didn't taste like the usual Sheekh Kabab's I've had but nevertheless was fairly nice. For main course we had Garlic Naan, Veg biryani, Peas Pulav and a couple of tandoor gravies in the form of a Paneer Makhani and Dal Makhani. The Indian bread was how it should be, both the rice items were decent enough but far away from anything remotely greatness. I liked the Paneer Makhani which had a nice twang to it but the Dal Makhani was a little watery and the quantity served especially was shocking.

We refrained from having desserts. Overall the food was pretty decent with not much to complain on the taste angle but the biggest blip was the pricing. Almost every single dish costs upwards towards the 300 range and with taxes and service charge to boot comes up to being extremely expensive. The service too was rather slow taking plenty amount of time to bring the food.

Since they have a pretty gargantuan spread, I will like to visit again to try more of their offerings. It does have it's moments and am pretty sure it will attract crowds in the days to come especially young children and teenagers. At this point of time however, it's too early to give a call and time will tell how Jupiter Exprezz will embark on it's journey.

Theme of the Sea - Port Cafe

Stopped over at this new cafe in 'Kodambakkam' titled 'The Port Cafe' for some light bites and desserts. The place is themed on the sea and so you have a graffiti of a huge ship and then you find a lot of related stuff such as boats, fish nets, life jackets, oil containers and a host of other stuff.

The place is enclosed into two parts - the open arena where you get to see all the sea based stuff and an inside portion which is pretty prosaic. Though it was evening time, we were forced to sit under the closed surrounding. Frankly this area of the cafe pales in comparison to the breezy open air surrounding.

As we had already consumed a heavy lunch, we just went with a starter in the form of a Corn cheese balls which were heart shaped and infused with a dollop of cheese interspersed over the corn. It tasted pretty nice however was a tad bit salty. Then had a crack of couple of their desserts viz the Brownie with Ice cream and an Adorable Devil. The former brownie was chunky and soft and went well with the accompanying vanilla ice-cream. The latter was a crepe covered over banana and ice-cream and coated with nuts and honey glaze. It surely wasn't adorable especially because the predominant crepe was very raw and took the taste away from the covered part which was rather nice. Somehow this dessert didn't stick well and was quite pedestrian.

The rates seem fairly reasonable and you wouldn't term any of the items to be outright expensive. The service was prompt and quick and nothing really to complain on this front.

It wasn't the best of days compounded more by not sitting at the place of preference and being unable to enjoy the breeze. Also it's too close to call and give a rating based on the very little food we tasted. But simply based on this particular outing would term this experience under the average category.

Parfait 3, Klpauk - More than a Bakery!

The Parfait 3 in Kilpauk is a decent little place and can be termed as much more than just a bakery. It doesn't reek of any high end ambiance nor classy decor. It's a pretty simple joint serving products you normally get in a cafe.

We were invited as a team of food bloggers to check some of their stuff out and were given items to choose from a set menu. Overall turned out to be quite a mixed bag. Penned down below is a high level summary of the items we got to taste.

Beverage: It was a mango mint smoothie and a good start to the proceedings. It had a nice punch to it and the dot of spice in combination with the mango flavoring was quite interesting.

Soup: This came in the form of a Mix veg cream soup. It was pure white in color with a frothy layer of cream and an amalgam of veggies. I like soups of this kind and a thumbs up here.

Salad: A green veg pineapple one. It was pretty ordinary and run of the mill. It just comprised of a few plain pieces of pineapple along with tomatoes and cabbages. A little bit of garnishing and dressing could have helped a bit.

Starters: Had 2 choices for veg - Brocolli Fritters and Paneer Cheese Balls. The former were golden deep fried and had a crunchy taste to it. It wasn't spectacular by any means but passed the test. The latter were brown cutlet balls infused with cheese and paneer which were fairly good. Expected a dip more than just ketchup but alas was left disappointed.

Main course: First we got a bite into their sandwich titled creamy bro cheese. They resembled the bun format and and sandwiched inside was a creamy layer of veggies melted with cheese. I kinda enjoyed it. Next we moved on to the Veg Creamy tomato pasta. It was penne made in a mixture of red and white sauce smattered with grated pieces of cheese and for me one of the highlights of the evening. It was juicy, creamy and tasty. Definitely one of the better pasta's I've had. Finally it was the turn of Butter rice with creamy veg. Nothing much to write home about here as it was just plain rice with hardly a taste of butter to go along with a creamy veg gravy and it can at best be termed average.

Desserts: This is their forte and stronghold and they showed they were the boss here. We were served a plethora of pastries via tarts, cakes and brownies. Nothing much to complain here. Most of them as expected excelled and were a win.

The service was a little slow and it was clearly visible that it wasn't easy to manage a big set of people with little staff. But they did their job pleasingly with a smile. Though this event was an 'on the house', the rates seem quite marginal. The outlet looks a little dated. A bit of color, vibrancy and quirkiness can go a long way in elevating the joint a wee bit.

Parfait 3 does have it's share of grouses. But looking at the larger perspective there surely are more positives than negatives. A nice outlet to indulge in some light bites and confabulation.