|
...................................................................................................................................
Epicurean restaurants in Chennai run the entire gastronomic gamut with cuisine from all over the country and different parts of the world. For sumptuous Chettinad food, visit Kaaraikudi, a restaurant that realistically replicates the original - and the food is just perfect. If you like your Chettinad upmarket, try it at The Rain Tree in Hotel Connemara or sample a smattering of food from the southern states at Dakshin in the Park Hotel. Moving on to North-west frontier cuisine, the Peshawari at the Chola is still a hot favourite. For fabulous Mediterranean delights, try Cilantro, an amazing, three-tiered restaurant at the Meridien. Dahlia is a delightful Japanese food that is fast becoming the gastronome's favourite, as is Arirang for Korean food.
The office goer in Chennai has many a choice for executive lunch, from leisurely locales to linger at while striking a deal or hasty grab-a-bite joints. Dhaba Express on Cenotaph Road has good lunch buffets - the restaurant gets crowded, so go early. Also in the same category is Vasanta Bhavan, which serves a variety of cuisine. But for unhurried, classy lunches, the business executive would do well at The Canton in Nungambakkam, a Chinese restaurant popular in diplomatic circles. Feast Inn at the Pentasoft Towers is great for ambience and vegetarian food. Kyung Bok Gong serves authentic Korean food and is more economical than its upmarket counterpart, Arirang. Buhari's, of Chicken 65 fame, is still popular after all these decades.
Chennai has quite a smorgasbord of interesting places to eat, especially now with the concept of "food courts" or multi-cuisine/multi-restaurant complexes. The foremost is The Red E Food Court on Harrington Road, that serves five star fare at reasonable prices. Planet Yumm in the Sonex Towers is all gleaming metal and granite, and has a whole galaxy of cuisine to offer - besides entertainment. Turning Point is another such complex, with entertainment facilities and three restaurants under one roof - Shansi for Chinese, Under One Roof for Indian and continental food, and Kebab Korner for Tandoori. If you have a yen for Chettinad, try Usilampatti, Anjappar or Poongudi, all reasonably priced restaurants with good food. Their north Indian counterparts are Pathankot and Sanjha Chulha.
Though Chennai has some catching up to do in the realm of pubs and bars, the city has a fair share of popular evening hangouts. Geoffrey's at Radha Park is known for its ambience, draught beer and its signature recipes. Vijay's Sports Café at the Park buzzes with not just booze but sports fans who take in the action on the large television screens. The Crystal Bar at Hotel Ranjith is ornate but inviting, while the Bamboo Bar at Savera has that inimitable touch of respectability. Cocktail Peninsula at the Peninsula and Tinto at the Residency are the other trendy pubs in town. Arcot at the Trident, Fort St George at Taj Coromandel, Durants at Chola and Dome at the Meridien are upmarket bars.
There's a bewildering range of finger lickin' street food out there in Chennai. Gorge on South Indian thalis and fast food at Saravana Bhavan, or enjoy an idli breakfast at Rayar's on Kutcheri Road. Nair Mess near Chepauk Stadium still does brisk business and is a great place for a quick bite. Banana Leaf is a popular eatout while Noodle King is unbeatable for - what else but noodles and Chinese chow. Look out for food-stalls selling cholesterol enriched Ceylon Egg Parathas. Or simply hot-wheel it to either the Woodlands Drive-in on Cathedral Road, the Drive-in at Kamaraj Salai or the Prarthana Drive-in Theatre & Restaurant on Injambakkam. For tried and trusted kababs, Kabab Corner is a safe bet and for fast food, try Kafe 2000 in Egmore. Tic Tac on Montieth road serves the most mouth watering kati rolls in Chennai
Coffee, tea, or more coffee? Then sip it at Coffee? on Greenways Road, and get mugged while you're there. Well actually, your mugshot is printed on a coffee mug that you can take home. Café Coffee Day is full practically the whole day, while Qwicky's Coffee Pub is a hot favourite in Chennai.
Among the restaurants that are recommended by residents of Chennai, are Don Pepe that serves Mexican and Tex-Mex specialities and is a vibrant eating place. If you crave Punjabi food, dine at Sachin ka Dhaba, a down to earth restaurant with hearty meals. Marry Brown - with a name like that, you aren't quite prepared for the surprise in store for you. A lively atmosphere, complete with a juke box and pool table - and the fast food is surprisingly good. A treat for the palate awaits at Cascade, an award winning chinese restaurant with elegant decor. Benjarong brings you a taste of authentic Thai - no wonder, with ingredients especially flown in from Thailand and charming décor with fresh orchids.
Entertainment wise, there are quite a few discos and bars in the bigger hotels. Classical dance and music performances are de rigueur in this culturally alive city. The now world famous classical dance form of Bharatnatyam and classical Karnatic music enjoy great patronage in Chennai. Art galleries put up the best of local work. There are almost a hundred cinemas in Chennai. The local movie industry is in the pink of health and you can never forget this, as larger than life movie stars loom over you from gigantic hoardings. Some cinemas screen English films from Hollywood.
It is possible to get a game of tennis or a round of golf at some of the clubs. Though most are exclusively for members, some allow pay-and-play if members recommend you. Some hotels open their pools to non-guests on payment.
...................................................................................................................................
|
