Vol. 2 Issue 11
SEPTEMBER 2013
Chennai’s complete food magazine
Filmy Spirits Hollywood inspired cocktails to sass up your party life Easy-to-make recipes for kids, CPK lands in Chennai and much more
B CELEDIE
FOO SEE
TAAPNNU PA
Chennai’s fragrant food scene is up and going
We give you a round up!
Why the good old filter coffee is never passé
SEPTEMBER
CONTENTS GOURMET BUZZ 4 All you need to know about Chennai’s food scene
SHAKEN & STIRRED 10 Hollywood Cocktails Cocktails get refreshing Hollywood avatars
Kitchen Fringes 15 Time to party!
All you need to throw a great party
Expert on the Block 16 Global Party on a Crust
Chef Justin Parras on his culinary journey with California Pizza Kitchen
FOOD CULTURE 26 Namma Filter Kapi The traditional filter coffee: a brew that never grows old
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Quick Fixes 30 Delicacies Galore
Reema Haseeb, home chef, shares easy-to-make recipes for kids
IN THE KNOW 36 Ask Sabita
This culinary wizard answers all your queries on food and cooking. Now say goodbye to kitchen angst!
40 Ask Dharini
This nutrition expert solves all the diet and nutrion riddles which have been hogging your mind. Embrace them for a healthier living
À la Carte Managing Director Sujit Kumar
RESTAURANT ROUNDING 42 Dine like Royalty!
Editor-in-Chief Bina Sujit Senior Features Writer Anusha Surendran
ITC Grand Chola's Royal Vega provides opulent fine dining experience for vegetarians
Features Writer Rekha Shanmugham Design Team Francis Augustine Rifah Aiysha Anto M Vijay
46 Oriental Bliss at Wok a Toque
Get a taste of authentic oriental cuisine at Wok a Toque
Columnists Sabita Radhakrishna Dharini Krishnan
CELEB FOODIE 38 Taapsee Pannu
Marketing Chennai Daniel Benjamin Paneer Selvam Pitchumani
Taapsee shares her food secrets
Turn to page 26 to find out why the traditional filter kapi will always remain a favourite
Coimbatore Nithyendran Mumbai Kiran N. Murthy Published by K. Sujit Kumar on behalf of Options Media Pvt Ltd., 3, Ritechoice VaralakshmiApts. 15/4, H.D. Raja Street, Teynampet, Chennai- 18. Printed by B. Ashok Kumar at Rathna Offset Printers, 40, Peters Road, Royapettah, Chennai-600 014. Editor : Bina Sujit For advertising contact
Options Media Pvt Ltd +91 44 24352581/ 42112582/45000010 sales@optionsmedia.co.in Unsolicited material may not be returned. The opinions of writers are theirs, not ours. We are not responsible for incorrect listings and information. While we do all we can to ensure correctness, readers are advised to re-check with establishments. No part of this publication should be reproduced without our written permission. The different trademarks published in this issue belong to their respective owners.
Jalebi
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Kitchen Fringes
Time to party!
Moulin Glass Decanters by Imax
Be free from the pressure of hosting the perfect party this weekend! Choose from our array of barware to spruce up your evening of fun! Decanter Sommelier's Black Tie Amadeo by Riedel
Round Bottom Decanter with Sililcone Tray by Sagaform
Aqua Halo Pitcher by Novica
Sunglasses Premium Lighter by Zippo True Vino - Assorted Nautilus Easy by Lever Corkscrew Gift Set
Set Of 2 Ice Bucket With Tong by Silver Queen
Bamboo Seven Piece Coaster Set with Holder by Lipper international
Chateau Drinkware by Baccarat
Tilt Wine Chiller by Nambe
Crystal Martini Shaker by Reed & Barton Lismore Jewels Toasting Flute by Waterford
Cork Pull by Zinc Positive Collection
Expert on the Block
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Chef Justin Parras is the International Brand Ambassador for Franchise Operations in India and the Middle East at the extremely popular California based restaurant chain: California Pizza Kitchen. Having started his career as an operations manager in Newport Beach California in 2005, Chef Justin has come a long way within a short span of time. Rekha Shanmugham caught up with the enthusiastic chef who was in Chennai to open CPK’s first branch in the city for a quick chat on pizzas, nachos, dum Biryani and more… What kind of food did you grow up eating?
I was in the Philippines for a good part of my childhood and ate a lot of Filipino food. After that we moved to New York. I got introduced to the typical American food such as pizzas, hamburgers and hot dogs. But I stay true to my Asian roots and eat a lot of Chinese and Thai food. I am a huge fan of the Chinese cuisine. About New York City and food
You can never get bored in New York City as you have a lot of food choices. It is a city that houses people from all over the world and the food scene reflects the potpourri of cultures. I can safely say one can find the entire gamut of cuisines there. You don’t have to go too far to eat Indian and right next to it you might find a Moroccan restaurant and next to it a Chinese restaurant. It is a one stop destination for food lovers. Food you could eat day in and day out
I love canned corned beef. It is pretty much Filipino comfort food. It is to us what dal and rice is to an Indian. Place you frequented as a youngster in New York City
McDonald’s I guess! (laughs) Everyone loves McDonald’s especially when they are young. You don’t worry about the nutritional value of food when you are young. You can live on Big Mac, Chicken Nuggets and French fries. And then you grow up and realize there are other kinds of food besides the ones you get at McDonald’s. When did your interest in cooking start?
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and experiment. As a kid I would go inside the kitchen and pretend to cook something with the left-over bits for a cookery show after my parents were done cooking. Food has definitely been a very integral part of my growing up days. How did you venture into the hotel business?
It happened by chance. Right after high school I went to pre-medical college as I wanted to become a dentist or a physical therapist. After one semester it did not work out. It was then that my friend suggested I visit him in culinary school. I gave it a shot and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I looked at my options to see where I could go with it career-wise. I did not want to stay in the kitchen for the rest of my career. A lot of opportunities came my way. I worked in a couple of restaurants before landing in California Pizza Kitchen. What kind of food do people in California eat?
They eat a lot of Mexican food: Tacos, Burritos, Nachos and the like. Every Tuesday would be a Taco Tuesday in most bars in California. You could have a few shots of tequila and indulge in some heavenly Tacos (smiles). Mexican food has definitely had a huge influence on the people of California.
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What makes California Pizza Kitchen stand out in a place where there are a zillion pizza joints?
The crust and the dough. When CPK first opened in California in 1985, people flocked to the place to eat their pizzas as there was nothing like it. We offer multi cultural pizzas. We even have a saying – “We treat our crust like an artist treats his canvas”
Morocco, South Africa, India, Philippines, Italy and many more countries. The ingredients are very global. What are the USPs of California Pizza Kitchen?
The crispy, thin crust and the fact that we import a lot of our ingredients just so that customers can have the best of everything from around the world. These are some of the USPs. You are CPK’s brand ambassador for India and the Middle East. Tell us a little bit about your association with our country and its cuisine.
The menu draws its influence from Thailand, China, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, South Africa, India, Philippines, Italy and many more countries. The menu card reads “Staying true to authentic California roots“. What does that mean?
It refers to fresh ingredients, sustainable products and innovation. California has always been the leader in several respects, be it technology or film making. The same holds true for food as well. The place is known for intricate detailing in terms of plate presentation. It is very important to us that we make our food look appealing. The food also invariably tastes good. The menu also says it is a trip around the world. Can you explain this concept?
The menu draws its influence from Thailand, China, Japan, Mexico,
I have been to India almost ten times now and love the food here. However, this is my first time to Chennai. Mutton biryani, Bheja fry and Bombay duck are some of my favourite dishes. In Mumbai I often visit Copper Chimney. They serve really good Dum Biryani. I love the seasoning. I like the Paneer masala as well. I am not a vegetarian but I enjoy it. You would have noticed that India houses a lot of vegetarians. Has your menu been tweaked in any way to cater to their needs?
We did a study on this phenomenon before we even launched CPK in Mumbai. A lot of the dishes on our menu can be turned vegetarian. You just have to remove the meat. Most of our sauces are vegetarian – friendly. What did you hear about Chennai before coming here? How is it different from the other Indian cities?
Only that it is located in the Southeastern part of India and has a beach (laughs). I feel it is less crowded compared to Mumbai. Not as many street food joints here but then again, the Velachery Main Road is all I know so I hope to explore more when I come back! À LA CARTE • SEPTEMBER 2013 • 19
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VEGETARIAN SPINACH DIP Yield: 3 Portions Ingredients l Vegetable Stock l Olive Oil Blend l Butter (unsalted) l Palm Hearts (fresh) l Fresh Red Onions (¼” diced) l Fresh Garlic (¼” diced) l All Purpose Four l Cooking Cream l Sugar (white granulated) l Coarse Salt l Parmesan Cheese (grated) l Blanched Spinach leaves l Sour Cream
250 ml 45 ml 15 gm 250 gm 60 gm 25 gm 45 gm 150 ml ¼ tbs 1/8 tsp 20 gm 250 gm 50 gm
Method
Add the oil and butter to the stock pot, melt butter completely. l Add the onions and sauté for approx. 10 minutes. l Add the garlic and sauté for approx. 10 minutes. l Add the vegetable stock and artichoke hearts. Bring to a boil. l Turn the heat off, add the flour and mix until it is absorbed. l Add the cream, fresh lime juice, Tabasco sauce, sugar and salt. l Cook to 180° - 200°F while stirring. l Add the Fontina and Parmesan cheese and mix until melted. l Remove from heat and add the spinach. Stir to completely incorporate. l Add the sour cream and blend completely. l Transfer the finished dip to a storage container. Allow it to cool in an ice bath. l Label, date, refrigerate. l
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VEGGIE DELIGHT Yield: 3 Portions
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Ingredients Pizza base l Roasted pepper aioli l Mozzarella Cheese l Broccoli l Tomato Dice l Corn l Mushroom For Garnish: l Aioli sauce l parmesan cheese l
1 No 30 ml 1 Cup 8 pieces 1/2 cup 1 tbs 1/3 cup 15 ml 1 tbs
BELL PEPPER AIOLI Yield: 3 Portions
Ingredients l Red bell pepper l Red onions l Sugar l Lemon juice l Mayonnaise l Fresh dill leaves l Paprika powder l Cayenne pepper
250 gm 1 tbs 1/2 tbs 1 tbs 1 cup 1 tsp 1/2 tsp 1/4 tsp
Method
Using a sharp knife, cut bell pepper halves into approximately 1” pieces. l Place it on a grill skin side down & cook it for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. l Add peppers, sugar and salt into the food processor. l Roughly puree the mixture for 30 seconds l Transfer pepper mixture to a clean mixing bowl. l Add the rest of the ingredients to the mixing bowl. l Use a wire whisk to mix until all ingredients are incorporated. l Transfer aioli to a storage container till further use. l
Method
Take pizza base, spread aioli sauce evenly all over it. l Spread mozzarella cheese over the sauce. l Arrange broccoli, tomato & corn on the pizza. l Cook it in oven on 480 F for 5 minute/until crisp. l Remove from oven, slice, garnish with additional aioli sauce & parmesan cheese. l
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COCONUT BANANA CAKE Yield: 3 Portions Shelf life: 5 days
Ingredients l Castor Sugar 250 gm l Unsalted Butter 250 gm l Coconut Desiccated Pwd 200 gm l Refined flour 50 gm l Egg 240 gm l Banana 200 gm Method Take a bowl, add castor sugar and room temperature butter slowly l Then add coconut desiccated powder to the mixture. l Cut the banana in to fine pieces and add the mixture and mix it well. l Add the flour to the mixture and mix it well. l Take a tart mould and apply little butter on the bottom. l Then pour 120 gms of the coconut banana mixture to the mould. l Bake in the oven for 25 minutes at 175 degree centigrade. l Cool and label. l
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ROASTED GARLIC & CHICKEN PIZZA Ingredients l Pizza Base l Roasted garlic mayonnaise l Mozzarella Cheese l Onions l Chicken pieces For Garnish: l Garlic Chips l Parsley (chopped)
Method
Take pizza base spread roasted Garlic Mayonnaise evenly all over it. l Spread mozzarella cheese over the sauce. l Spread onion & chicken over the Mozzarella cheese. l Cook it in oven on 480 F for 5 minute/ until crisp. l Remove from oven, slice it & garnish with roasted garlic chips & chopped parsley. l
1 30 ml 1 cup 30 gm 90 gm 1 tbs 1 tbs
(All images used are for representative purposes only)
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What with the posh and urban cafes making steady inroads in the Indian market, one would expect waning enthusiasm for the traditional South Indian filter coffee. Surprisingly enough, that doesn’t seem to be case as Rekha Shanmugham finds out. There is indeed something sinfully delicious about the drink that manages to still have thousands going ga-ga over it.
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The long association Introduced to India in the 17th century, the addictive drink of coffee has had a very long and successful association with our country. Even though we call ourselves a nation of the healthy tea drinkers, there has always been a great number of steadily growing coffee loyalists that just HAVE to wake up to that delicious cup of coffee everyday. However, India as a country houses a potpourri of cultures and the food and beverage preferences of any particular person is largely based on which part of India he comes from. In this respect, it is interesting to note that the Southern part of India is extremely popular for a kind of coffee called the filter coffee. In Tamil Nadu and especially among the Brahmin community mornings are synonymous with the drink. Hardly a day passes by without indulging in several cups of the heavenly filter coffee which for most people facilitate an overall boost in energy levels. The evergreen filter coffee What is so special about this filter coffee? It is a sweet milky coffee made from dark roasted coffee beans (70 – 80%) and chicory (20-30%). The drink has had a long association with the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. It is interesting to note that the most commonly used coffee beans for the filter coffee are Arabica and Robusta grown in the hilly regions of the southern states again. With the overbearing influence of the Western culture, various types of 28 • À LA CARTE • SEPTEMBER 2013
coffees and international brands have been entering the market. However our filter coffee has staunchly held its own against these gargantuan entries. Says Priya, a resident of Mylapore and a hard core filter coffee fan, “Yes, I do go out occasionally to hang out with friends over a cup of cappuccino but the traditional filter coffee just never goes out of style. I swear by its aroma and taste any day. There is one shop right next to the Mylapore tank where they sell the Coorg coffee. You can get it without the chicory there!” According to the Coffee Board of India, the people of Tamil Nadu consume over 30,000 metric tonnes of coffee per annum with filter coffee occupying 54 percent of the market and having an edge over the instant coffee which trails at 46 percent. One wrong move and that’s blasphemy Any coffee lover would tell you that he prefers his coffee a particular way and even a slight deviation in the aroma or taste spells disaster
for him. Filter coffee lovers can just never wrap their heads around instant coffee. Certain people are highly picky about the amount of chicory in their coffee powders, to the extent that they ask for coffee powders with a certain percentage of chicory in it. The method of roasting the coffee beans is also said to greatly influence the way the coffee tastes. “Earlier beans were roasted in a closed cylinder that rotated constantly, with a small opening on one side that facilitated checking if they were ready to be ground,” says Sarasamma, a resident of Triplicane and a coffee drinker for the past 50 years. “Saravana coffee in Triplicane is my favourite these days,” she adds. Also, it is important that you use the right utensil to drink the filter coffee. For ages, the 'davara-tumbler' has been lovingly used by our people. “Fancy mugs can almost spoil the taste,” says Vaithinathan Ravi, a resident of Royapettah and student of engineering. “I also need it to be frothy. That enhances the coffee.” Taking the entrepreneurial road A discussion on filter coffee definitely warrants mention of Kumbakonam, the well known temple town down south that has been the centre for filter coffee since a really long time. From as early as five in the morning, the town is abuzz with the coffee activity. The quality of the coffee powder there is said to be unmatched. So much so that people have been involved in the business of importing it to various northern cities in India to let the North Indians get a taste of the authentic Southern filter
Several youngsters have been involved in the business of setting up filter coffee stalls along highways to provide the drivers with a refreshing dose of the authentic drink coffee. It is pretty interesting to see the myriad business opportunities the simple filter coffee offers. Several youngsters have been involved in the business of setting up filter coffee stalls along highways to provide the drivers with a refreshing dose of the authentic drink. However, in an interesting twist, the filter coffee too seems to have gone instant of-late, what with hectic schedules leaving people with no time to perform the long-winding process. In such cases, the decoction is bottled and delivered to customers’ houses at as early as 5 am. Add some hot milk, sugar to taste and lo and behold namma filter kapi is ready to drink! À LA CARTE • SEPTEMBER 2013 • 29
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In the Know
Ask Sabita
Sabita Radhakrishna is a well known food columnist and cookbook author. Our readers can find answers to all their cooking related queries here.
What is chilli oil and what is it used for? Can it be prepared at home?
Chilli oil is spicy oil used in preparation of Chinese and Szechuan food. Noodles taste very good when chilli oil is used, but it is versatile when you are innovating recipes and cooking fusion food. Yes, it can be prepared at home very easily. You will need ½ cup of any cooking oil like rice bran oil or sunflower oil, plus 1 ½ tablespoons of sesame oil. Make your own chilli flakes by grinding in a mixie. Heat the oil to smoking point, add the chilli flakes, and simmer for a few minutes, then add 1 teaspoon of sugar. Simmer for a few minutes longer till the oil turns red. Cool and strain into a clean glass bottle and refrigerate. The strained chillies can be preserved Spinach is such a favorite with us. Can you suggest a soup made from spinach?
Spinach is such a versatile vegetable. With the variety of greens available here, any of them will suit a spinach recipe. Here is an unusual kind of soup for those who like eggs. Cook a large bunch of spinach in ½ cup of boiling water. Squeeze out all the water, using your hands, and then chop the spinach. Heat 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a heavy pan, and add one finely sliced onion, 36 • À LA CARTE •MAY 2013
What is piccallili?
Picallili is a hot favourite among pickles, especially in Britain. There is a speculation that it has an Indian connection. It is made with florets of cauliflower, sliced gherkins, shallots and other vegetables, cooked and preserved in a spicy mustard and vinegar sauce flavoured with turmeric, which gives it a bright yellow colour. It is not commonly available in stores. Piccallili is served with cold meats, particularly ham and roast meat and pork.
then the spinach and cook till it runs dry. Add three medium sized potatoes, sliced, along with 3 cups of water, and salt and pepper to taste. Add 2 chopped flakes of garlic and 1 tablespoon of fresh fennel leaves (optional) and boil uncovered till the potatoes are cooked. Break 2 eggs one by one on to the soup and cook on low heat till they are done. Serve immediately while hot.
Q
What do I do with left over fish? My fussy family won’t touch it.
Leftovers just have to be given a new avatar, and with this family your family won’t recognize the original! Say for ¼ kg of leftover fish (mashed and bones removed) add ¼ kg mashed potatoes, salt and pepper to taste, one small onion finely chopped, 2 tablespoons finely chopped coriander leaves, 1 chopped green chilli, few drops of lime juice. Mix all the ingredients and form flat cakes. Coat with lightly beaten egg and then egg crumbs and shallow fry in oil.
How do you make perfect curds, smooth on top and creamy when you cut through? It is an art, one which I learnt from my mother. The best curds turn out when you make them at night. Use a ceramic dish or a stone dish and smear just a quarter of a teaspoon of the starter curd, applying it evenly on the base of the dish. Heat the milk to room temperature (slightly warm) strain it into the dish and stir till the starter is blended into the milk. Next morning you have smooth curds which you should refrigerate immediately. This is for Chennai, but if the weather is chilly add more starter. You learn as you go along!
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Celeb Foodie
“My favourite cuisine will always be the street food of Delhi”
Taapsee Pannu
With her peaches and cream complexion and sparkling eyes, the divine beauty Taapsee Pannu has captured many a hearts down South. The girl tops her good looks with some promising acting talent as was evident in the award-winning Aadukalam. She talks to us about Punjabi delicacies, Sangeetha’s sambar and the fantastic cook in ‘Thala’ Ajith!
What kind of food did you grow up eating?
Since I was born in a traditional Sikh family I grew up eating Punjabi delicacies such as paranthas, chole bhature, rajma chawal and a lot more. Moreover, I'm a Delhiite so I used to binge a lot on street food too. Your favourite food joint during childhood days
During school time it was actually a ‘road side thhela of channa with kulcha’. We used to call them ‘golden matke wale channe’. That was the maximum we could manage before the school bus left.
In Chennai I love Sangeetha's sambar. So I eat there often. Your favourite North Indian and South Indian dish
Chole bhature in the north and sambar idli in the south Are you a foodie? What is your favourite cuisine?
I used to be before I entered the film industry, now I hardly get to eat as per my choice. My favourite cuisine will always be the street food of Delhi. Best dining experience from your travel abroad?
Matar paneer, bread pizza
That would have to be the sea food in Mauritius. Though I am not a huge fan of seafood, I really enjoyed it there.
What do you eat when you have to stay in Chennai or Hyderabad? Do you have any preferred restaurants?
Any diet or fitness regime that you follow to maintain good hair, skin, and body?
The yummiest thing that your mother makes
In Hyderabad, I have so many options for every cuisine but for North Indian food I swear by Zafraan and Mozzarella. 38 • À LA CARTE •MAY 2013
Just be aware of what you eat and do at least an hour of work-out five days a week.
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In the Know
Ask Dharini
Dr. Dharini Krishnan, a renowned Consultant Dietician answers your questions on basic nutrition and how it can make a difference to our body and health.
Q
Kids do not eat vegetables. What can be done to change this scenario?
This is a standard complaint that parents have about children. Vegetables should be introduced when the child starts consuming mother’s milk. The first thing to introduce is a cereal like ragi or par boiled rice. Then move on to fruits like banana, then soft cooked vegetables such as watery vegetables then onto beans and other types of vegetables. With increasing standards of living, the country is moving toward consuming more of cooking oil, oily foods, fried foods, sweets and junk food. We need to buy more of fruits and vegetables to regain the health that we had as a nation. We need to invest on quarter kilo of vegetables per member a day and move onto doubling that slowly through time.
Children world over who have moved away from eating vegetables and fruits are taught cooking skills at homes. These are things which grandparents used to do in our country. Holiday was a time to learn to buy good vegetable from the market. We can encourage kids to help in cutting and preparing of vegetables in the weekends. This creates an ownership in the dish and slowly they start eating vegetables. They can participate in growing small plants like fenugreek leaves, coriander and spinach in the pots at home to get a feel of harvesting of any vegetable. These methods will encourage the children to start eating vegetables. Schools should also conduct small recipe competitions. The farm to table concept is being encashed in the U.S. today to teach children these concepts. We can also adopt the same; this will be a big step forward to stop the rising epidemic of overweight and obesity. What is a good way to keep a track of the calories you eat? Does a night snack make you put on more weight?
In this age of smart phones and Apps it is very easy to track the calories one eats. There are many Apps which cater to those who would like to accurately calculate the calorie intake in their food. There are Apps which allow you to enter your personal details such as height, weight , age and gender: this aids in calculating the calories needed for the day. Then for a week or ten days you can input the foods which you 40 • À LA CARTE • SEPTEMBER 2013
Q ate and it gives the calorie count per day. There are options to choose from on how calorie dense the recipe is. For example one could make beans foogath with one teaspoon oil or with 4 table spoons of oil for the same half kilo of vegetable. This decides the calorie density of the food. There are other Apps which even give the nutrient breakup of the foods eaten such protein, fat and carbohydrates. The amount of calories one expends can also be checked. So we need to use technology usefully to help us manage our health. There are also excellent graphs where you can plot the weight and blood picture and the foods eaten to know where and how people are going wrong. Total calories for that day, is important. If the night snack has been included in the calorie count for the day then there are no issues. Sometimes the night snack turns out to be a calorie dense food such as an ice cream or a pastry. Then one has to be careful with the quantity consumed.
Is my oral health related to Nutrition? Does it affect my health?
There was a time when advertisements for tooth paste would show people biting a sugar cane or a walnut with its shell. Now a days those kinds of advertisements are not shown as oral health of people is deteriorating. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics supports and says that there is scientific and epidemiological data to suggest a lifelong synergy between diet, nutrition and the integrity of the oral cavity in health and disease. If somebody had an oral infection or a cavity or a root canal treatment in their teeth, the foods that they choose to eat will change and slowly their food choices and variety will change. It affects the Nutrition status of the person. In the current Indian population people above 70 years have their teeth intact, but those in the age group of 50 to 60 years, already have dentures. Through time the practice of healthy chewing of foods has gone down. Natural farm fresh foods were consumed previously in this country. Now land sizes have dropped and so have spaces for kitchen gardens. Do we remember the time where one corn (bhutta) used to be shared by two people because it was hard to bite and high in fibre? Today the American sweet corn as it has been re-named is available everywhere. It has less fibre and is sweeter. In such ways the fibre has moved out and is paving way to white rice as against the red or hand pounded rice. Quantity of vegetables used has reduced and the quality of vegetables has changed towards using more of roots and tubers. All of this and the addition of high sugared products like breakfast cereals, sweets, desserts, cookies has changed the environment of the oral cavity and started affecting the health of individuals. Definitely oral health affects the foods one eats and hence the nutritional status of the person and his or her health. À LA CARTE • SEPTEMBER 2013 • 41
Restaurant Rounding
Dine like Royalty! At Royal Vega luxury is the by-word. The restaurant offers a unique experience by providing an opulent fine dining experience to true blue vegetarians What: Royal Vega Where: ITC Grand Chola,
No.63, Mount Road, Guindy. Grand chandeliers, antiques encased within glass showcases and soothing music greet us as we enter the regal locales of Royal Vega. Wearing jasmine garlands we enter the opulent restaurant that is designed keeping in mind the
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seating protocol during the Sultanate period. Be it the extremely polite staff, the elaborately decadent menu or the ornate lighting, almost all elements at the restaurant make one feel like royalty.
On the platter
The menu at Royal Vega features delectable dishes that are sourced from the kitchens of Indian royalty and are cooked keeping up with the tenets of Ayurveda. The culinary delights are prepared keeping with the seasons of the year. We are served the Ranjit Khasa, a host of dishes that can be equated to the royal banquet. We start off with ‘madhur swad’ made with bengal gram and pistas
The menu at Royal Vega features delectable dishes that are sourced from the kitchens of Indian royalty and are cooked keeping up with the tenets of Ayurveda
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that is meant to stimulate the appetite. Next came the utterly delicious ‘ananas raita’ with thick curds folded with perfect little pieces of pineapples. The food cooked only with mustard oil and desi ghee is also made in separate kitchens to ensure the perfect vegetarian experience. We sip our way through a fresh kiwi and raspberry mocktail and relish the experience. The ‘bhare alu’ which is barrels of potatoes filled with a spiced broiled walnut mixture napped in a curd and brown gravy was extremely rich with a wonderfully fresh flavour. The ‘palak chaaman’ which is paneer simmered in a leafy spinach gravy flavoured with cinnamon and cardamom was of the wonderful texture with the panneer being soft and delicious. The utterly soft ‘besani pooris’ made of Bengal gram and chilli flakes complemented the palak panneer while the ‘hari mirch puulika’ which is pickle flavoured unleavened millet and wheat flour bread grilled on a tava went perfectly well with the ‘kundan koftas’ that was gram flour marbles stuffed with tart plums with a aromatic 44 • À LA CARTE • SEPTEMBER 2013
cinnamon flavoured onion gravy. The ‘kalmi khasta’ which is steamed cake of Bengal gram and white urad lentils mixed with spinach and spiked with pounded fennel and coriander was crisply fried and yummy to taste. The chef’s special for the day was the 'chowki mutter' which is fried poha with peas masala. The dry dish was a perfect snack between the rich meal. The ‘doli’, classic bread made with whole wheat and yeast stuffed with channa daal, was our favourite of the lot: they were light, crispy and complemented each and every side dish on the Ranjit Khasa. The rices served were true again to their origin and the pick of the day was definitely the ‘gucchi pulao’. The pulao had a rich yet subtle taste and the liberal dose of Himalayan morels filled with pine nuts provided for a crunchy relief of the softness from the long grain basmati rice. The 'zarasht pulao' made with purple berries was mildly flavoured and fragrant. Both the pulaos were true to their Kashmiri origin: they were mildly and subtly spiced and had ingredients
authentic to the Kashmir valley. “The seasonal menus have been kept as a tribute to the rich cuisines in India. All the ingredients used in our dishes are the best from different regions from the country,” says Varun Mohan, Sr.Sous Chef, Royal Vega. The chef adds that the best of the spices are sourced from different parts of India after a lot of research. The Sarat Ritu is the autumn menu that befits this season, says chef Varun. “Ayurveda tell us about the best spices that complement vegetables and we use these tenets while cooking.”
Sweet endings
Shahi Mitha, a dish made of bread was layered with almonds, pistachio praline and milk and baked with spicy crunchy pieces of caramel. This dessert was a sure winner with its delectable and yummy ensemble
The verdict
Like all good things the meal too came to an end with the famous ‘kheer sagar’ made of cow’s milk chenna garnished with pistachios. The dish with no sugar had a fragrant and light taste to it. Next came the ‘shahi mitha’, a dish made of bread, layered with almonds, pistachio praline and milk and baked with spicy crunchy pieces of caramel. This dessert was a sure winner with its delectable and yummy ensemble. Embark on a treat for your taste buds with the sumptuously opulent dishes at Royal Vega. You will come out with your tummy full and hearts full too. Be it the customs that accompany serving food for royalty or the time-honoured dishes inspired to represent flavours from different regions of India, the ambience and food at Royal Vega is beautiful and makes one feel like royalty! À LA CARTE • SEPTEMBER 2013 • 45
Restaurant Rounding
Oriental bliss at Wok a Toque Wok a Toque is the new oriental haven in town offering some very unique dishes which are worth every foodie’s time. Read on to find out about some of the most authentic oriental food in town. Located on the first floor of The Chariot hotel, Wok a Toque is a welcome hangout for the oriental cuisine lover. It boasts of a wide range of Chinese, Japanese, Malay and other oriental cuisines and provides an authentic taste that most Chinese places lack while catering to the Indian palette.
Starting off
We settle down to the delicious business of tummy tucking and witness ancient oriental traditions unfold at our table. At first, we are served a small, white
46 • À LA CARTE • SEPTEMBER 2013
porcelain cup of piping jasmine tea. It is a welcome drink for guests and is believed to assist digestion in the course of the meal. The tea is followed by bowls of appetizing soya bean, Kimchi, a traditional fermented Korean side dish made of vegetables with a variety of seasonings. Along with these knick knacks came a long tray of varied sauces from garlic, chilli soya, peanut among others which were a riot of colours and flavours.
The Chinese hip-hop music in the background completes the local flavour. This little restaurant might as well be a little bit of the authentic Orient on Madras soil
Ambience
The ambience at Wok a Toque is posh and cosy at the same time. This is a place that accomplishes both corporate fine dining and a low key romantic date. The decor oozes oriental elegance with red and orange floral shaped lamps and plush red chairs. The Chinese hip-hop music in the background completes the local flavour. This little restaurant might as well be a little bit of the authentic Orient on Madras soil.
Veg Appetizers
The menu is splashed with names like Drums of Hell Beijing, Vegetable Mapo Tofu, Braised bamboo shoot and Chinese mushroom among others that instantly sound exotic and delicious. While the menu was more partial towards nonvegetarians with sea food, beef, pork and chicken dishes, there were limited but delicious options for vegetarians as well. We went with the Chee Cheong Fun or the steam roll starter which is a signature dish at Wok a Toque. The steam rolls were sliced like open dumplings with a generous stuffing of mixed vegetable À LA CARTE • SEPTEMBER 2013 • 47
with water chestnut and a heady spread of peanut sauce. The other starter plate included water chestnuts that looked like small circular chips tossed in honey and pepper and served with caramelised peanuts. The Japanese Vegetarian tempura struck a healthy chord with its fresh seasonal vegetables lightly fried in silky batter and served with a tangy tomato chilli dip. This was literally oriental French fries but with healthy ingredients.
Non-Veg Appetizers
The non vegetarian starter consisted of creamy prawns mixed with wasabi mayonnaise and black sesame seasoning along with a chilli mango dip. Wasabi is a Japanese herb whose root is used as a condiment and has a strong flavour. The remarkable thing about this nonvegetarian starter was that it was not oily and the prawns were juicy. It contained 48 • À LA CARTE • SEPTEMBER 2013
a mild flavour of wasabi that was both aromatically and gastronomically pleasing. The other non-vegetarian starter, the fish in lemongrass and chilli consisted of diced fish stir fried in garlic, lemongrass and chilli. With a high spice quotient, the fish was soft and juicy and aromatic with the right amounts of lemongrass and chilli flavours.
The Japanese Vegetarian tempura struck a healthy chord with its fresh seasonal vegetables lightly fried in silky batter and served with a tangy tomato chilli dip. This was literally oriental French fries but with healthy ingredients
Main course
The vegetarian main course consisted of gravy with stuffed eggplant with bean curd in pickle, chilli and garlic sauce. The brinjal was stuffed with bean curd and stir fried with chilli pickle and garlic sauce. Although it might sound spicy, the dish along with fried rice provided an extravagant feast that could charm the staunchest aubergine hater. Bimal, the chef at Wok a Toque takes a bow as we are all praises for his recipes. With experiences in Taj and ITC Grand Chola, he brings his oriental expertise to the house of Wok a Toque’s kitchen and says: “Most of the ingredients are sourced from abroad as we don’t find them here. Ingredients like the red lotus maida for example.”A lot of the menu’s offerings are unique to Wok a Toque and we were surprised to find dishes like Singapore Chilli Crab, Steamed Red Snapper in Yu Sing Sauce, Peking Sauce, Peking Duck, Kwai Teow Wheat Flat Noodles and a host of others in Chennai.
Dessert
The dessert was literally the cherry on the cake with an exquisite lime and chilli crème brulee. The small sweet had a rich custard base topped with a contrasting layer of hard caramel. With each spoonful, the faint aftertaste of chilli added a striking flavour to the sweet. Nicking off one small portion after another, the crème brulee disappeared in no time.
The Verdict
Don’t miss out on this little gem of a restaurant that is set to the take city by surprise with its authentic oriental cuisine. With its commitment to amazing food and warm service, it is sure to catch the eye of many a lover of oriental cuisine. À LA CARTE • SEPTEMBER 2013 • 49
Listings
Info at your fingertips
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Chocolate raspberry cheesecake
Desserts & Icecream
South Indian
Food Chains
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Penne Pasta
Continental
Planning a birthday bash? Choose from a comprehensive list of bakers across the city Desserts, Bakers & Ice Cream P54 50 • À LA CARTE • September 2013
Bars & Restobars Bars & Restobars Zara Tapas 74 Cathedral Road, Gopalapuram. 28111462 Anna International Airport, Meenambakkam. 22560779 Geoffreys 171 J N Salai, AnnaiSathya Nagar, Arumbakkam. 66778899 Opium Bar Hotel Royal Plaza 3E Road, Koyambedu. 23790066 10 Downing Street Kences Inn Boutique Hotel 50 North Boag Road, T Nagar. 28152152 Bike & Barrel The Residency Towers 115 Sir Thyagaraya Road, T Nagar. 28156363 Black & White The Residency 49 GN Chetty Road, T Nagar. 28253434 Regal Resto Bar Raj Park 180 TTK Road, Alwarpet. 42257777 The Leather Bar The Park 601, Nungambakkam Main Road, Nungambakkam. 42676000 Blend Taj Mount Road 2 Club House Road, Mount Road. 66313131
Chipstead Taj Coromandel 37 MG Road, Nungambakkam. 66002827
Le Pub Liberty Park Hotel United India Colony, 1st Main Road,Kodambakkam. 24725950
Crystal Bar Ranjith Hotel 15 Nungambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam. 28270521
Pasha The Park 601 Nungambakkam Main Road, Nungambakkam. 42676000
Distil Taj Connemara 2 Binny Road, Anna Salai. 66000000
Bay 146 Savera Hotel 146 Dr Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore. 28144700
Dublin The Welcome pub Park Sheraton 132 TTK Road, Alwarpet. 24994101 Gallop Radisson GRT Hotel St Thomas Mount, 531 GST Road, Anna Salai. 22310101 H20 Harrisons Hotel 315 Valluvar Kottam High Road, Nungambakkam. 42222777 Havana The RainTree Hotel 120 St Mary’s Road, Alwarpet. 42252525 High Time GRT Grand 120 Sir Thyagaraya Road, T Nagar. 28150500 Poker Bar Hotel Shelter 19 20 21 Venkatesa Agraharam Street, Mylapore. 24951919
Transque Bar Hotel Abu Palace 926 Poonamalle High Road, Egmore. 26412222 Library Blu The Leela Palace Chennai 175 Sathya Dev Avenue Extn. MRC Nagar 3366 1234 The Cheroot Malt & Cigar Lounge ITC Grand Chola 63, Mount Road, Guindy 22200000 Trantor Bar Breeze Hotel 850 Poonamallee High Road, Poonamallee. 26413334 Degree Pub Quality Inn Sabari IT Tech Park, 33 Omar Road, Navalur. 27435030 Zodiac The Accord Metropolitan 35 GN Chetty Road, T Nagar. 28161000
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Bars & Restobars Rhapsody Courtyard by Mariott 564 Anna Salai, Teynampet. 66764000 The Society Bar The Ambassador Pallava, 30 Montieth Road, Egmore. 28554476 The Pirate’s Esthell Continental Hotels & Resorts Royal Enclave, 1 Besant Avenue, Adyar. 24466240 Anchor Bar Taj Fisherman’s Cove Covelong Beach, Kancheepuram. 67413333 Q Bar Hilton 124/1 J.N. Salai, Ekkaduthangal. 22255555
Tequila Sunrise Tropicana Bar New Victoria Hotel 3 Kennet Lane, Egmore. 28193638 Mustang Bar Green Park Hotel NSK Salai, Arcot Road, Vadapalani. 66515151
365 A.S. Hyatt Regency 365 Anna Salai, Mount Road. 61001234 Flame, Le Club Le Royal Meridien 1 GST Road, St Thomas Mount. 22314343
Upperdeck Comfort Inn Marina Towers, 2A Pooniamman Koil St, Egmore 28585454
Arcot Bar The Trident Hilton 1/24 GST Road, Meenambakkam. 22344747
Xzubarence Bar Raj Park 180 TTK Road, Alwarpet. 42257777
Madera The RainTree Anna Salai 636 Anna Salai, Teynampet. 28309999
52 • À LA CARTE • September 2013
Vintage Bank Hilton 124/1 J.N.Salai, Ekkaduthangal 22255555 The B Bar Somerset Greenways MRC Nagar, Santhome, 044 49001010 Winchester Bar Radisson Blue Hotel 2, Ethiraj Salai, C-in-C Road, Egmore 30404444 Minus 1 Hotel Park View 125 Valluvarkottam High Road, Nungambakkam 9025110838
Food Chains Food chains South Indian Adyar Ananda Bhavan 70/241 Ramakrishna Mutt Road, Mylapore 23453031 Nungambakkam 23453037 Anna Nagar 23453048 Koyambedu 23790403 Mogappair 42845074 Pondy Bazaar 23453041 Vadapalani 42013008 Parrys 23453044 Tambaram 42034949 Sangeetha Restaurant 24/2 South Mada Street, Mylapore 24643898 Nungambakkam 42137300 Greams Road 28294081 Choolaimedu 23744041 T Nagar 42121170 Parrys 25341745 Adyar 24426554 Hotel Saravana Bhavan Spencer Plaza, 769 Mount Road, Anna Salai 28495577 Egmore 28192055 R.K Salai 28115977 Mylapore 24611177 Purasawalkam 26616699 Anna Nagar 26269721 Ashok Nagar 24892466 KK Nagar 24745577 T Nagar 24345577 Vadapalani 24817866
KFC Spencer Plaza, 769 Mount Road, Anna Salai 45514447 T. Nagar 43042222 Taramani 42666061 Nungambakkam 43562222 Anna Nagar 42612222 Marrybrown 133 Pondy Bazaar, T Nagar 42023704 Anna Salai 42116777 Mylapore 45535362 Nungambakkam 42032923 Anna Nagar 46218777 Koyambedu 421790372 Kodambakkam 42135553 Shenoy Nagar 43532721 Subway For delivery call 45600600 Located at Nungambakkam, Egmore, RMZ Millenia Tech Park, Express Avenue, Spencer Plaza, Citi Center, Besant Nagar Pizza Corner 64 CP Ramaswamy Road, Abhiramapuram 43009502 Nandanam 42131333 Nungambakkam 42139566 Anna Nagar 42172300 Meenambakkam 42064151 Tambaram 22390647
Adyar 42187666 Velachery 22552172 Domino’s pizza Spencer Plaza, 769 Mount Road, Anna Salai 28494444 Mylapore 28474444 Purasawalkam 25322333 Teynampet 24355890 Anna Nagar 42014444 Ashok Nagar 24714555 Mogappair 26536455 Perambur 25518888 Adyar 24424444 Tidel Park 22540221 Velachery 22431777 PitStop 1, Jay Nagar, Panayur Kumaran Nagar Indian Oil Petrol Bunk,OMR Chemmancherry 24501499 /1699 Kancheepuram 27470399 US Pizza 152 Abirami Mega Mall, Purusaiwalkam 42371111 Pizza Hut Spencer Plaza, 769 Mount Road, 39883988
Vasant Bhavan 10 Gandhi Irwin Road, Egmore 4281 Mount Road 28418693 Mylapore 24936666 Nungambakkam 28222233 Tambaram 22264441 PIZZAs, BURGERS, SUBS... Mc Donald’s 106 2nd Avenue, Anna Nagar 9566022866 Taramani 45556008
Garden Fresh Veggie Pizza
Want your restaurant to be listed? Give us a call. À LA CARTE • September 2013 • 53
Desserts, Bakers and Ice Cream Baker’s Basket Savera 146 Dr.Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore. 28114700 Fresco For queries call 456000600 Located at Nungambakkam, Egmore, Express Avenue, Citi Center, Besant Nagar Delicatessen @ Chamiers 45000008 Tuscana Delicatessen Located in Tuscana on Chamiers 89 Chamiers Road, Alwarpet, Diagonally opp. Park Sheraton IN GATE 45000008 Muffin Tree Courtyard Marriott 564 Anna Salai, Teynampet. 66764000
Blueberry Muffins Desserts, Bakers and Ice Cream Ambrosia 11, Cenotaph Road 45002099
Amadora Gourmet Ice Cream 23, Wallace Garden, 3rd Street 42323482 Hot Breads 74 Cathedral Road Gopalapuram 28110345 Mylapore 28112760 Kilpauk 26444212 T Nagar 28153998 Thiruvanmiyur 24485080 Saidapet 22200850 The Leela Cake Shop The Leela Palace Chennai 175 Sathya Dev Avenue Extn. MRC Nagar 3366 1234 54 • À LA CARTE • September 2013
Nutmeg The Gourmet Shop ITC Grand Chola 63, Mount Road, Guindy 22200000 Sandy’s Chocolate Laboratory 14 1st Cross Road, Off Greenways Road, R.A Puram.42303852 Nungambakkam 42134000 Emilios Gelateria 22/1 2nd Main Road, 5th Cross Cit Colony, Mylapore 43535544 Neelankarai 24495010 Anna Nagar 43016680 Besant Nagar 45511226 Snow Field Dessert Pub 1 Cathedral Road, Cathedral Road, Gopalapuram. 28116416
Milkyway 24 G7 Wellington Estate, Ethiraj Road, Egmore. 28251194 La Boulangerie 21 Arundale Beach Road, Kalakshetra, Besant Nagar 9566099917 Valluvar Kottam 42222777 French Loaf T46 A 7th Avenue, Anna Colony, Besant Nagar 32216628 Chetpet 32216618 Mahalingapuram 32216627 R.A Puram 32216625 Spencer Plaza, Anna Salai 32210936 Parfait 3 16 Manikeshwari Road, Kilpauk 25321601 Velachery 22432022 Valmiki Nagar 24405588 Anna Nagar 26288822
Desserts, Bakers and Ice Cream Ecstasy 8, Sathyam Cinemas, Thiru-Vi-Ka Road, Royapettah. 43920444 Cake Walk 10, Montieth Road Egmore 28553811 Besant Nagar 24917022 MC Renett A9 2nd Avenue, Anna Nagar 64551011 Kodambakkam 64551012 Mandaveli 64551022 Teynampet 64551027 Nungambakkam 64551028 Parrys 64551036 Purasawalkam 64551014 T.Nagar 64551019 Creamy Inn W396 School Road, Anna Nagar West Extn. 26150080 Anna Nagar 26220080 Chetpet 28362255 K.K Nagar 23663939
Strawberry Smoothie Freeze Zone 33 TTK Road, Alwarpet. 24661839 Jelly Belly E37 2nd Avenue, Besant Nagar. 24460777
La Patisserie Taj Coromandel 37 MG Road, Nungambakkam. 66002827 Cakes N Bakes 70/32 Nungambakkam High Road, 28277075, 28205554 Thoraipakkam 24580809 Velachery 65610502 Baker’s Cottage 6th Avenue, Anna Nagar. 9884532326 Maple Leaf Chocolate Lounge 9 Harrington Road, Chetpet. 43561666, 43561333 Brio - The Cafe Shoppers Stop Chetpet 42664471 T. Nagar 42024415
Banana Split Sundae
The Baker’s Code Kebab Court Complex, Velachery. 22591275 Want your restaurant to be listed? Give us a call. À LA CARTE • September 2013 • 55
Desserts, Bakers and Ice Cream · Indian · South Indian Fruit Shop on Greams Road Greams Rd, Thousand Lights 23450871 Besant Nagar 23450876 Anna Nagar 23450872 Kilpauk 23450877 Spencer Plaza 28490083 Cathedral Road 23460986
INDIAN CUISINE
Jamavar The Leela Palace 175 Sathya Dev Avenue Extn. MRC Nagar 33661234 Royal Vega ITC Grand Chola 63, Mount Road, Guindy 22200000 Once Upon A Time Green Park Hotel, 183, NSK Salai, Arcot Road,Vadapalani 66515151
Vrindavan Restaurant New Woodlands Hotel 72-75 Dr Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore. 28113111 The Raintree Taj Connemara 2 Binny Road, Anna Salai. 66000000 Jakob’s kitchen 28/18, Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam 42032808 Chennai Woodlands 20 2nd Lane Beach, Parrys. 25214343
Meenam Harrisons 315 Valluvar Kottam High Road, Nungambakkam. 42222777 ID (Idly & Dosa) Sathyam cinemas, 1s floor, 8, Thiru-vi-ka Road, Royapettah 23920346 Maya 32 Platinum Building, Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam. 42137774
Annalakshmi Restaurant 804 Mount Road, Anna Salai. 28525109
Southern Aromas The Residency Towers 115 Sir Thyagaraya Road, T Nagar. 28156363
Malgudi Savera Hotel 146 Dr Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore. 28114700
Dakshin Park Sheraton 132 TTK Road, Alwarpet. 24994101
South Indian Southern Spices Taj Coromandel 37 MG Road, Nungambakkam. 66002827 Amaravathi Restaurant No.1, Cathedral Road, Gopalapuram 28116416 Madras The RainTree Anna Salai 636 Anna Salai, Teynampet. 28309999 Ponnuswamy 24 Ethiraj Salai Egmore 28270784 Curry Leaf The Chariot 4 Tirumalai Road, T Nagar. 28341212 56 • À LA CARTE • September 2013
Idiyappam with Madras Fish Curry
South Indian · Kerala · North West Frontier Nungambakkam. 42664222 Moti Mahal 7 Jaganathan Road Nungambakkam 42137539 Kabul 1/200 Dr Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore 24996761 Palki 1, Cathedral Road, Gopalapuram. 28111794
Chemmen Roast Anjappar 7/2 JP Tower, NH Road, Nungambakkam. 28256662
Ente Keralam Kasturi Estate, Poes Garden, 1st Street, Alwarpet. 42328585
La Shaakahari 20 Pycrofts Garden Road, Nungambakkam. 28265000
Rasam 25 Raja Annamalai Road, Purasawalkam. 9789062857
Kottaram 9/2 Taramani-Perungudi Link Road, Perungudi. 24540660
Kerala
NORTH INDIAN
Barbecue Nation Shri Devi Park Hotel 1 Hanumantha Road, North Usman Road,T.Nagar 60600000, 64530160,
Thalassery W77 4th Street, AnnaNagar 26207853
Sigree Hotel Aruna Annexe 144-145 Sterling Road,
North West Frontier
Minar Savera 146 Dr.Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore. 28114700
Kumarakom 27/28 Vijayanagar Ext, Velachery Main Road, Velachery 42022277 Nungambakkam 42605677 Anna Nagar 42172217 Adyar 42034203 Ramapuram 22496109 Coconut Lagoon 1 Cathedral Road, Gopalapuram. 42020428 Tharavad 6 Bay View Drive, Kottivakkam, ECR. 9840075355
Hyderabadi Pulao Want your restaurant to be listed? Give us a call. À LA CARTE • September 2013 • 57
North West Frontier · Chinese Copper Chimney 74 Cathedral Road, Gopalapuram. 24980819 Mouthful 12/20 Raghaviah Road, T.Nagar. 42124260 Mast Kalandar 17 2nd Sashtri Nagar, MG Road, Adyar. 42018382
INTERNATIONAL Chinese Barbecue Chicken Navaratna Le Royal Meridien 1 GST Road, St Thomas Mount. 22314343 Olives Hotel Deccan Plaza 36 Royapettah High Road, Royapettah. 66773333 Mughals Zaika Restaurant 8 Rajarathinam Street, Kilpauk. 42858901
Peshawri ITC Grand Chola 63, Mount Road, Guindy 22200000 The Great Kebab Radisson Blue Hotel 2 Ethiraj Salai, C-in-C Road, Egmore, 30404444 Tandoor Aruna Hotel Annexe 144-145 Sterling Road, Nungambakkam. 28262626
The Cascade 32 Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam. 28333836, 42137767 Besant Nagar 42019372, 24461625 3 Kingdoms 3rd Floor, 20B Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam 28333388, 28333390 Equinox 9-B 1st Floor, Kakani Towers, 34(15), Nungambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam 43084708, 9566167736
Beyond Indus Taj Mount Road 2 Club House Road, Mount Road. 66313131 Up North The Raintree Hotel 636, Anna Salai Teynampet 28309999 Rajdhani Shop No.5, Express Avenue Mall, 49 Whites Road, Royapettah. 28464422 58 • À LA CARTE • September 2013
Grilled Mutton Kebab Skewers
Chinese · Continental Stix Hyatt Regency 365 Anna Salai, Mount Road 61001234
Golden Dragon Taj Coromandel 37 MG Road, Nungambakam 66002827
Rangis Continental Chambers 142 Nungambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam. 42144933 Wonton 39 4th Street, Alwarpet 32513335, 43009700 Nungambakkam 28332002 Anna Nagar 26264633 Adyar 42116364 China Town 74 Cathedral Road, Gopalapuram. 28112246
Dynasty Restaurant Firm Tower, W121 3rd Avenue, Anna Nagar. 26212699, 42026609 Oriental Blossom Radha Regent 171 Jawaharlal Nehru Salai, Arumbakkam. 24757788 China XO The Leela Palace Chennai 175 Sathya Dev Avenue Extn. MRC Nagar 3366 1234 Mandarin 19 Thiruvedian Street, Gopalapuram. 28117431
Flower Drum Prince Plaza, 46 Pantheon Road, Egmore. 30228822
Continental
Mainland China Hotel Aruna Annexe 144-145 Sterling Road, Nungambakkam 28238345 Teynampet 45000236 Chin Chin The Residency 49 GN Chetty Road, T Nagar. 28253434
Eden E37, 2nd Avenue, Besant Nagar, 24460777 04424463777 Anna Nagar 26221010 Nungambakkam 42222777 Ox and Tomato 145 St.Mary’s Road, Alwarpet 43060009
Above Sea Level The RainTree Hotel 120 St Mary’s Road, Alwarpet. 42252525 Yoko Sizzlers 20B 2nd Floor, Khader Nawaz Khan Road Nungambakkam 42180888 9043043090 Giorgio T29 7th Avenue, Besant Nagar. 24461828 Tangerine 5 Murrays Gate Road, Alwarpet 42110888 Kobe sizzlers 10 Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam 28332711 Kipling Cafe 14 L. Jey Avenue, Akkarai, Sholinganallur, ECR. 24530040 Ashvita Bistro 11 Bawa Road Alwarpet 42109990, 42031982
Lemon Grass The Rain Tree 120 St Mary’s Road, Alwarpet 42252525 The Canton Kaveri Complex, 96 Nungambakkam High Road,Nungambakkam 28272197, 28214445
Crispy Sesame Chicken with Gingered Beans Want your restaurant to be listed? Give us a call. À LA CARTE • September 2013 • 59
Continental · Italian · Japanese · Korean · Malaysian Italian
Sam’s pizzeria 7 Jaganathan Road, Nungambakkam 33703370 The Pasta Bar Veneto Old No.59, New No.32, Burkitt Road T.Nagar 42126680 Egmore 42145534 Fresca Pizza by Sandys 32 Platinum Building, Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam 42068484 Rhapsody Courtyard by Marriott 564 Anna Salai,Teynampet 66764000, 66764488 Focaccia Hyatt Regency 365 Anna Salai, Mount Road. 61001234 Smoking Joe’s 31, Burkit Road, T.Nagar 24350505 Papa John’s Pizzeria 29 Nungambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam 42075656 Bello Ciao 140 Nungambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam 24511130 ECR 24511130
Tuscana Pizzeria No.19 3rd Street, Wallace Garden, Nungambakkam 45038008 Ottimo Cucina Italiana ITC Grand Chola 63, Mount Road, Guindy 22200000
Japanese Teppan at Benjarong 146 TTK Road, Alwarpet. 24322640, 43009161 Dahlia Kauvery Complex, 93 Nungambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam. 28265240 Akasaka 128, Grd Floor Lattice Bridge Road, Thiruvanmiyur. 24453424
Korean In Seoul 530 TTK Road, RA Puram 42081998 Kyung Bok Gong 10 Chamiers Road, Nandanam. 42113346/7
Prego Taj Coromandel 37 MG Road, Nungambakkam 66002827 Little Italy Eldorado Building, 1/2 Nungambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam. 42601234, 66246178 60 • À LA CARTE • September 2013
Hummus with Pita Bread
Malaysian
Pelita Nasi Kandar 16 17 18 Appaswamy Towers, Sir Thyagaraya Road, T Nagar. 24335759 Bee’s Kopitiam Express Avenue Mall 49 Whites Road, Thousand Lights. 28464088
Mexican Don Pepe 73, Cathedral Road Gopalapuram, Chennai 04428110413 Texas Fiesta 17/2, Shaffee Mohammed Road, Off Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam 43087882
Pan Asian Hip Asia Taj Connemara 2 Binny Road, Anna Salai. 66000000 Pan Asian ITC Grand Chola 63, Mount Road, Guindy 22200000
Mexican · Pan Asian · Thai · Mediterranean Azzuri Bay 13 First Crescent Road, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar. 42115253 Kefi Taj Mount Road 2 Club House Road, Mount Road. 66313131 5 Senses Oyster, 9, Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam 30062010 The Upper Deck Taj Fisherman’s Cove Covelong Beach, Kancheepuram. 67413333 The Crown The Residency Towers Sir Thyagaraja Road, T Nagar. 28156363
Rava Khoya Laddoo Chap Chay The Raintree 120, St. Mary’s Road, Alwarpet 42252525
Lotus The Park 601 Anna Salai Nungambakkam Main Road. 42676000
Thai
Mediterranean
Sweets
Silk Asiana Hotel 1/238 Old Mahabalipuram Road, Semmencherry 67411000
Aqua The Park 601 Nungambakkam Main Road, Nungambakkam. 42676000
Gangotree 42 Cathedral Road, Gopalapuram 28111664 Adyar 24452422
Baan Thai 10 Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam. 28332611, 28332612 Benjarong 146 TTK Road, Alwarpet. 24322640, 43009161
Azulia GRT Grand 120 Sir Thyagaraja Road, T Nagar. 28150500 Estia Aloft Hotel 102 Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Sholinganallur, OMR 45925500
Kryptos by Willi 24 Yafa Tower Khadar Nawaz Khan Road Nungambakkam 45038001
Shree Mithai 18 Dr TV Road, Chetpet 42809999 Spencer Plaza 42134455 The Grand Sweets 2nd Main Road, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar 42054466 Besant Nagar 45006464 Anna Nagar 42634422 T.Nagar 42124466
Want your restaurant to be listed? Give us a call. À LA CARTE • September 2013 • 61
Sweets · Coffee Pubs · 24 Hour Dining Sri Krishna Sweets Soundarajan Street, CIT Nagar, Theyagaraya Nagar 42616161 Adyar 24413805 Anna Nagar 26191222 Ashok Nagar 24850808 Mylapore 28112827 Nanganallur 9789062861 Purusawalkam 26616667 West Mambalam 9789062860 Mishtee 112 Nungambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam. 43084984 Adyar Anandha Bhavan 9 Lattice Bridge Road, Adyar 23453045 Anna Nagar 23453043 Nungambakkam 23453037
Coffee Pubs Amethyst Whites Rd, Royapettah Entrance next to Corporation Bank 4599 1630 Robustaa 24/67 Halls Road, Kilpauk. 42858412 Anokhi 106 Chamiers Road, Opposite Oryza 24311495 Cafe Chokolade 10/1A3 Montieth road Egmore 42126461 T.Nagar 42606532 Barista 4 Khader Nawaz Khan Road Nungambakkam 42138567 Besant Nagar 42019455 Tea Lounge Radisson Blue Hotel 62 • À LA CARTE • September 2013
2 Ethiraj Salai, C-in-C Road, Egmore 30404444 Café Coffee Day Montieth Road, Egmore 28546981 Kilpauk 42175621 Ispahani Centre Nungambakkam 64627082, 43577231 Coffee World Abhiramapuram, 64 CP Ramaswamy Road, Alwarpet. 43009499 Coffee Central 11 Dr B Narasimhan Road, Opp GN Chetty Road, T Nagar. 28152045, 9840111298 Café Pascucchi Express Avenue Mall 49 Whites Rd, Thousand Lights. 09840922895 Café tapas 47B Ground Floor, Ramana Nursing Home Complex Velachery Main Road, Velachery. 42325165 Café Zha 25 2nd Main Street, Kamarajar Avenue, Adyar. 42116027 High on Caffeine Mitsubishi Showroom, LB Road, Adyar. 42116482, 9003034049
Paprika Courtyard by Mariott 564 Anna Salai Teynampet. 66764000 Main Street The Residency Towers Sir Thayagaraya Road T Nagar. 28156363 Spectra The Leela Palace Chennai 175 Sathya Dev Avenue Extn. MRC Nagar 3366 1234 Seasonal Tastes The Westin 154, Velachery Main Road, Velachery, 22553366 Water’s Edge Café GRT Temple Bay Mahabalipuram. 27442251, 27443636 Cilantro Le Royal Meridien 1 GST Road, St Thomas Mount. 22314343 Anise Taj Coromandel 37 MG Road, Nungambakkam 66002827
24 Hour Dining
601 The Park 601 Nungambakkam Main Road, Nungambakkam 42676000
Est Hilton 124/1 J.N. Salai, Ekkaduthangal. 22255555
Caramel Asiana Hotel 1/238 OMR, Semmencherry 67411000
24 Hour Dining · Seafood · Multicuisine Fisherman’s Fare Casa Major Road, Egmore. 28194840 Sea Shell Greams Rd, Thousand Lights 28295789 Wharf GRT Temple Bay Mahabalipuram. 27443636 Bay View Point Taj Fisherman’s Cove Covelong Beach, Kancheepuram. 67413333 Samudra Trident 1/24 GST Road, St Thomas Mount. 22344747
Mixed Vegetable Broth Anytime GRT Grand 120 Sir Thyagaraya Road, T Nagar. 28150500 Garden Café Radisson Blu Hotel 531 GST Road, St Thomas Mount. 22310101 Rainbow The Raintree Hotel 120 St Mary’s Road, Alwarpet. 42252525 Club House Taj Mount Road 2 Club House Road, Mount Road. 66313131
The Kitchen The Raintree Anna Salai 636 Anna Salai Teynampet. 28309999 Verandah Taj Connemara 2 Binny Road, Anna Salai. 66000000 Seagull Taj Fisherman’s Cove Covelong Beach, Kancheepuram. 67413333
Seafood
Coast to Coast Radisson Blue Hotel 2 Ethiraj Salai, Egmore 30404444
Kayal Le Royal Meridien 1 GST Road, St Thomas Mount 22314343
Multicuisine Fusion 9 Aruna Centre 145 Sterling Road, Nungambakkam 42664299 The Right Place The Residency 49 GN Chetty Road, T.Nagar, 28253434 The Kitchen The Raintree 636, Anna Salai, Teynampet 28309999
Want your restaurant to be listed? Give us a call. À LA CARTE • September 2013 • 63
Multicuisine · Health Food · Arabian Cream Centre 55 2nd Main Road, RA Puram 42815777 Nungambakkam 43561777 Ashvita 11 2nd Street, Dr R K Salai, Mylapore. 28476063 Rain Forest Gandhi Nagar 1st Main Road, Adyar. 42187777 Duchess 1/200, Dr.Radhakrishnan Salai Road, Mylapore 24996762 Oasis Radisson Blue Hotel 2, Ethiraj Salai, C-in-C Road, Egmore, 30404444 Mash, The Grill House 3/2 Haddows Road, 2nd Street, 28211555 Crimson Chakra 13 First Crescent, Gandhi Nagar Adyar 09677277900 Nungambakkam 64500 500, 97866 55845 Piano Hotel Savera 146 Dr.Radhakrishnan Salai,Mylapore, 28144700
Five Senses Oyster, No. 9, Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam 30062010 Drizzle No. 1, Sultan Ahmed Street, Neelankarai, ECR. 32219966 Seven Comfort Inn Marina Towers 2A Pooniamman Koil St, Egmore, 28585454 Ayna Hilton 124/1, J.N.Salai, Ekkaduthangal 22255555 Burgundy’s Somerset Greenways Serviced Residence 94 Satyadev Avenue, MRC Nagar. 49001000
Health Food Cholayil Sanjeevanam 97/45 Nungambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam. 64508427 Mahamudra 117 Luz Church Road, Mylapore. 43535555
Vasco’s Hilton 124/1, J.N.Salai, Ekkaduthangal, 22255555 La Shaakahari 20, Pycrofts Garden road, Nungambakkam 9940415747 Dewberry’s The Resto-Café 6/29 Rajasekaren Street, Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, 28473439 64 • À LA CARTE • September 2013
Chicken Shawarma
Arabian Escapade 361 Shakti Garden Road, Okyampettai, Thoraipakkam. 9884051456 Zaitoon No.1, Vintage Plaza, L B Road, Adyar, 24527778, 24527779 YallaYalla Radisson GRT Hotel St Thomas Mount, 531 GST Road, Anna Salai. 22310101 Al Arab 131 Dr.Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore. 45130000 Arabian Delights A46 3rd Avenue, Anna Nagar East. 42172047 Palmshore Foreshore Estate 111/108 Santhome High Road, 42102244 By the Bay T55 Elliots Beach Road, 6th Avenue, Besant Nagar 24461922