Chennai was a blast.. The weather was fine and but the auto rickshaws weren’t… These guys merit a separate post..So, more on that later…Starting off on the food. Here goes…
1. Bellaciao – Tucked off the beach in Thiruvanmiyur, is this place Bellacio. Don’t know what it means but in hindsight, should have asked. Food is good, especially the Lasagna and the lemon pie is something to die for but the service is rank bad. We were served water a good 20 minutes after being seated, rather seating ourselves (strange for a fine dine). The food took forever to show up and the excuse was the good old, the cooks disappeared!! The owner, an Italian who’s been in India for some time now is a delightful fella. Food is good but the service is awful. But if you are a foodie and dont mind the ‘incidentals’ go ahead by all means…
2. Murugan Idli Shop – What can be said after all that’s been said. Fantastic Idlis but the Dosas were slushly just like fresh mud after a nervous rain. Coffee was perfect, something one takes for granted in Chennai. The Onion Utappam merits a second glance and so do their glasses in which they serve water. Seating was a problem though. Pretty much like first come first served. Place definitely not meant for a conversation. If you are having one, get ready for the killer looks from people waiting to grab a table.
3. Cups and Saucers – Tucked off in a basement by the Odyssey in Adyar, is this delightful corner shop. Serves various blends of chai the best being the ironically named Bombay Chai. Take a note, Mr. Raj Thackeray. Their Peking Tea is good too, though they could have eased up on the mint taste. A long conversation place.
4. Ponnusamy – Average food with some overbearing waiters who serve you menus rather than food. Check it out if you want a mean Chicken Kozhambu. Stay away if you are not upto the idea of driving away stewards who buzz around you like flies.
Next one about Dakshina chitra / Auto drivers / PMSing bus conductors. Stay blogged…..
