BBQ Nation, T. Nagar

A cloudy afternoon time, with signs of rain in the sky. But the black clouds vanished after sometime thereby putting us in the heat while we were in search of an erstwhile restaurant as claimed by many in the city. But the name Bar Be Que made me wonder if it would suit me or not. 

As directed by an auto driver, we were comfortable in tracing out its location. We got in and found our most preferred window side table. We were served with a large glass of coke with a slice of lemon in it. One among us had frequented here on various occasions and proudly announced, "the mix of lemon adds a crux for the taste of coke". But I never felt anything like but still it tasted good. The waiter removed a wooden lid in the centre of our table a placed a vessel like structure with burning coal in it. Then came some set of starters one after the other. 

Paneer Tikka, BBQ Pineapple, BBQ Vegetable, Mushrooms were some placed in the grill with a thin iron rod. I grabbed one as soon as it was kept in the grill. But tasted half cooked. Then the waiter said, " Allow it in heat for sometime sir". After sometime, it was fine to be eaten up. 

Then came the BBQ Pineapple. Thick slice, Hot enough and juicy. when I tried to crunch it slowly, the juice from the cooked fruit oozed out of my mouth. 

Apart from the dishes placed in the grill, Vegetable Kebab, Maoinese Potato, Corn Dishes reached our table. At one point of time, I got fed up with starters. So much of starters would never leave a huge space for main course. So I jumped on to the main course by lowering the flag on our table.

Main course never seemed to be a delight for Vegetarians. The same old Biryani, Naan, Paratha, Paneer Gravy, Dal Makhani. But I loved the place for some-other thing too. 

There were abundant Fruits and Fresh vegetables to be consumed. So before I could begin my Main course I predated on some fresh vegetables.

Then I went for Plain Rice with Dal Makhni, Soya Bean Biryani with Aurangabadi Paneer etc. 

Now I wished to fill the next layer of my stomach with Fruits. I took Water Melon, Papaya in abundance.

Finally, it is time for desserts. One dessert that always pulled me towards it is obviously Gulab Jamun. By the time I reached the Buffet table to pick some, fresh hot Jamuns were refilled in the dish. I grabbed some in great quantity followed by Phirni and an Egg Less Pudding.

But did I eat less. Not exactly said my heart and Yes said my mind. So I grabbed some more fruits to refill the top layer of my stomach. 

At the end, when checked my mobile for time, I was taken aback. Did I eat for 3 hours? I just can't believe it. But I never felt the food was excellent and up to the mark. for ambiance alone I would give 8 out of 10. For grilled starters, 8.5 out of 10. Main course disappointed me with the same old stuffs. So a 6.5 out of 10 for it. But the hotel stressed me out of all the trouble I had and enjoyed my food.

So I would rate the hotel 9 out of 10.

Location: Shri Devi Park Hotel, Hanumantha Road, T. Nagar

Landmark: Near Joy Alukkas, T. Nagar

Average Meal For 2: Approx. Rs. 1500

Little Italy, Besant Nagar

Exclaiming the news that Little Italy is in the offshore of Elliots Beach in Besant Nagar, we started roaming around and found it out in the street parallel to Elliots Beach Road.

The restaurants look was astounding and it almost looked like a star hotel. A woman in the entrance of the hotel enquired us, "have you booked a table?" No, we replied. She then went in and checked for unreserved tables. Then she took us in and accommodated in a table at 1st floor.

We got settled down and a menu card arrived at our table. Wood burn pizza, garlic breads, pastas, soups etc. were some that we found. And the good thing that we found was that you'd get a thin crust pizza and a pizza without cheese on request. Even if you wish to have a jain style cooking that can also be availed.

Zorba, Sicilia, Gurdjeiff, Indian were some of the pizza varieties that we found in the menu card. After a lot of thinking, we ordered for a Sicilia pizza that is topped with mushrooms, basil, dry chilles, sun dried tomatoes, mozarella cheese. We wondered seeing the thin pizza, which was crunchy, juicy with the cheese, spicy with dry chillies and no more words to say about that.

We've been waiting for some couple of minutes for the pizza to arrive, meanwhile we ordered for a starter. Garlic bread, masala garlic bread were some that we knew in the menu. So we went for a masala garlic bread. But meanwhile we were ordering for it, we got our pizza. Hence, starter at the end.

But comparatively Masala garlic bread did not add justice to its name. It was not spicy as the cheese was pre-dominant. Capsicum, chilly tomato sauce, garlic were some of the ingredients that was mentioned in the menu. Again, the name garlic did not add justice to the dish. Apart from all those it tasted good.

Even sitting in the beach in a Sunday evening wouldn't be so good. Excellent ambiance, quick service, no space complexity and even more to be lauded. But all these for an expense at its best. A meal for two with one pizza, garlic bread, juice, pasta and even with some more would cost nearly 2000-3000 rupees.

The person who accompanied me rated pizza 4.5 out of 5 and masala garlic bread a rate of 3.5 out of 5. 

Overall, my score for Little Italy would be 8.5 out of 10.

Navrang, Chennai

A sultry afternoon time, hunger pinching stomach and finding-out a new place was on the cards. But I may have to go a long way to find-out something new. But I never knew there is a good one nearby until a person suggested me. So started my expedition to trace-out the next best restaurant of my choice. I had thought of going to Rajeswari in the ground floor earlier, but the crowd inside dragged me upwards to Navrang.

When I stepped in, the place was totally deserted and one table was filled with four men talking about investments and stock markets. As soon as I found my table, a glass of water and a menu card reached me. Veg. pulav and Dal makhani was on the cards along with a beetroot halwa, but I also wanted a Roti or Naan, so without a second thought, I ordered a North Indian Thali.

It would've been hardly 5 minutes, my order was at the table. Two large size Rotis and a papad stood out of the plate while other dishes were in small cups. From left, Curd, Tomato soup, a gravy made out of Brinjal, another gravy filled with Paneer, beans etc., Dhal Fry and a Gobi-Potato Curry. The centre of the plate was reserved for a small bowl of Veg. Pulao.

A sweet would've added pleasure to my plate. But anyway still this would fill my stomach, I thought.

A small cup of Beetroot Halwa reached me with a spoon as soon as my thought process went that way. Hope the waiter caught my mind voice.

I began with a spoon of Halwa to make the meal pleasurable, followed by Tomato soup. Creamy, tasty and yummy with cream added. This was the best Tomato soup I ever had. Then I was puzzled what to start with. If at all am eating Pulao right now, my large size Rotis and papad would require a side plate to be reserved for the next round. But Pulao can wait rather than Rotis for some time. So I began munching the two Jumbo Rotis and finished off. Then I took two spoons of Halwa and balanced the spiciness.

Then I took the small bowl of Veg. Pulao, which was awaiting my attention. I turned the bowl upside downside in my plate and poured the cup of Dhal Fry and the remaining two gravies, half of which was enough for Two Jumbo Rotis.

At the end, I picked the cup of curd, which disappointed me to the core. Just a two spoon curd, I put it down and grabbed my balance Beetroot Halwa to end the meal happily.

Even though Rotis were good enough, a part of one of the two, seemed to be half cooked. And curd was a total disappointment. But overall I would give 10 on 10 for the place. The meal cost was average and not too high though. Thumbs up for the Ambiance and quick service. The best meal I ever had after a long time. I personally suggest this place for Vegetarians to have a peaceful dinner.

Location: TTK Road, Royapettah

Landmark: Opp. Tamil Nadu Mercantile Bank

Average Meal For 2: Approx. Rs. 400