Rajdhani - Express Avenue Mall [Chennai]

The first time I saw this place, I didn’t want to enter because it was a Sunday and I was raring to have non veg food. The second time was because the queue outside was too long. The third time I took the chance and realised the wrong decisions I had taken the previous two times by not entering.

The first thing that shall strike you as you enter Rajdhani is its service. There are numerous customers and yet at every point, you feel as if you are the privileged one, receiving all the attention. The moment we entered, we were escorted to our table by a much smiling waiter who then brought in an ornate kettle with lukewarm water so that we could was our hands.  Next the plates were laid. What’s unique about this place is that it has no menu cards; or at least, not general menu cards for each table. The menu for the day is hand written on a small black board right at the entrance of the restaurant.

Anyhow, we waited as we were served. Oh what a pleasure it was! One felt like a Royal, with all that treatment. First came the plate, adorned with 5 types of subzee and 2 types of daal accompanied with salad, pickles, chutney and papad. Then came the rotis – 4 types in all. After the rotis, came the various options of rice (though we stuck to the better known “Khichdi”). And at the end came the sweets. And as if that wasn’t enough, every time before you could finish up a portion, you found a waiter standing by your side, ready to refill the plate.  The menu simply bowls you over – it’s that good. And yet, the waiters so humble, always with a smile and ever ready to help, it’s a pleasure eating here.

The rotis that we had were – Phulkas, Moong Daal Kachori, Pooran Poli and Palak Thottu.

The subzees – Aalu Baati, Turiya Tamatar, Gobhi Vatana, Batata Curry, Matki Masala.

The Daals – Spicy Daal Marwadi, Sweet Daal

The Rice – Steamed Rice, Khichdi, Curd Rice

The Desserts – Strawberry Halwa, Kala Jamun, Fruit Shri Khand

And at the end, we could hardly move, we ate so much!!

OUR RATINGS:

Ambience: 3.5/5

Food: 4.5/5

Service: 4.5/5

Price: 4/5

Overall: 4/5

OUR TAKE:

A must visit for the sheer pleasure of being served and the process of serving if not anything else. But then, when has good food hurt someone? Don’t miss the Dahi Vada – That would be a shame!!

Kobe Sizzlers - Express Avenue Mall [Chennai]

I have been wanting to visit this place for some time now and it was only last weekend that we could manage to do it. Kobe Sizzlers is located on the 3^rd floor, just off the Food Court in the Express Avenue Mall. However, once you enter the restaurant, you leave behind the din of the Food Court. Inside, the atmosphere is calm, relaxed and laid back. We were soon showed to our table.

One thing that I wasn’t too happy to notice is that apart from the place, the behaviour of the waiters too is laid back. Initially while showing us our table, the waiter himself seemed confused as to which of the empty table shall he take us to! Well...that does not speak too good of him! Once we were seated, we informed the waiter of an empty bottle that was lying on the table – obviously abandoned by some previous diner. The waiter coolly replied, “It’s not yours? It does not belong to us also”. I had to categorically ask him to remove the bottle from our table.

Then came the food. We had ordered for “Chicken Satellite” (Boneless chicken in mushroom sauce, cheese and fresh cream) and Fish Sizzlers (in Garlic Sauce), both of which came with boiled veggies and mashed potatoes/French fries. The food made up for almost everything. Both the dishes were yummy and the mushroom sauce over the mashed potatoes did wonderful things to your olfactory senses as well as your taste buds! However, we would have liked it if the chicken was a little tender and succulent. The fish was one of the best parts. Being a Bengali and from Calcutta/Kolkata, I am used to fresh water fishes and as such do not have much of an appetite for the sea fishes because of their strong smell. But this one gave me no such problems. In fact, it was mouth wateringly delectable. Completely full with the food, we did not try out anything else, but the two dishes that we had, are both very commendable.

Prices at this place are a little on the higher side, but then since one dish comprises as a whole meal, I am willing to overlook that. The vegetable sizzlers range anywhere between Rs. 270/- to Rs. 320/- while the non vegetarian ones start around Rs. 290/- and can go up to Rs. 430/- in the sea food sizzler section. Most soft drinks are within Rs. 100/- while the desserts are between Rs. 100/- and Rs. 130/- for one serving.

OUR RATINGS:

Ambience: 4/5

Food: 4/5

Service: 3/5 (I am being generous because the food was served real fast)

Price: 3.75/5

Overall: 4/5

 OUR TAKE:

Try both the Chicken and Fish Sizzlers. If not, stick to the “Chicken Satellite” and order mashed potatoes with it instead of the fresh fries. It goes wonderfully with the cheese and mushroom sauce.

We would have enjoyed it more if the service would have been better.

Sangeetha's Desi Mane - City Centre/Express Avenue [Chennai]

We would call this chain of restaurants as “the ultimate place to have sumptuous vegetarian food in Chennai”. And that comes from two hard core non vegetarian food lovers! In fact when I got married and shifted to Chennai, Desi Mane (pronounced as Desi Maaney) was one of the first places we went to. And to say that the food delighted me would really be an understatement! The negative aspect of this place is the long queue that you may have to sometimes put up with because of the demand of this place, but then, the quality of the food more than makes up for it!

Desi Mane is a food lover’s heaven.  One thing that I noticed unique about this place is that all their dosa recipes are cooked in olive oil. However, it’s the North Indian food segment that attracts me so much. Though we ordered for a “Bread Basket” the other day to get a feel of it; I would strictly ask you not to order it unless there are at least 3-4 people around. The bread basket is just a platter with 4 breads of your own choice – Naan, Tawa Roti, Masala Kulcha, Missi Roti are some of the varieties.  Another thing to never try if you are alone is the “Kebab Platter” – the quantity is so much that one plate suffices for 3 people. Most dishes are good but it’s the north Indian ones that attract most orders. “Pindi Chholey” and “Daal Makhni” are two favourites and both sell like hot cakes.  A unique feature that I found in this chain of restaurants is that South Indian dishes (esp the dosa category) are all cooked in Olive Oil. However, I shall not be able to give you an update of that as we are yet to try it. The juices are very good and what’s great about it is that it is made right in front of you in a counter that is visible from almost all the tables. So, there is no room for doubt about the freshness.

The bread basket costs around Rs. 200 and each individual bread is priced somewhere around Rs. 45, but then, if one naan is enough for a lunch/dinner, who is complaining? The rice categories are priced around Rs. 130/per plate while the side dishes vary between Rs. 135 to Rs. 185 for a plate. All in all, a wonderful place to visit as a vegetarian.

OUR RATINGS:

Ambience: 3.5/5 (Superb ambience, deserves a 4.5 but I unfortunately had to deduct because the last time we visited Desi Mane at City Centre, we happened to spot a tiny roach on the chair!)

Food: 4/5

Service: 4/5

Price: 3.5/5

Overall: 4/5

OUR TAKE: If you don’t try the Daal Makhni here, you are seriously missing something. Try the Malai Kofta if you are specifically fond of it (I personally found it too sweet!) 

Take time to read the table mat.. it is interesting! ;)