Taj Club House KEFI :A CFG Show case

A serene place in the heart of  Chennai 's chaos and confusion: pollution and traffic. It is where you can unwind after a tiring day at work and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere which will rekindle the romantic person in you. Yes I am talking about Kefi Restaurant in Taj Club house. Located on Mount Road near the Spencer signal which has the maximum traffic any day. 

Kefi , is a rooftop Mediterranean restaurant serving cuisine from Greece, Turkey, Spain, Morocco 

and Lebanon.

It is a perfect spot for a romantic dinner with your wife or more perfect if you are going to propose to your girl friend. 

The dinner started off, with Musk Melon and Parsley with chocolate balsamic vinegar dressing. We were given to understand that the dish is called Amuse Bouche and is usually given to buy time for the kitchen to make the orders. It was a different blend of flavors, mildly sweet from musk melon, parsley, sweet & sour taste of chocolate balsamic vinegar. The presentation was picture perfect. 

Amuse Bouche

Cassis Reduced Melon with mint tabouleh

Two types of bread were served along with pickled olives. Breads were soft, but the dips were dominated by garlic flavor. 

Mezze Sampler

Meze or mezze /ˈmɛzeɪ/ is a selection of small dishes served in the Middle East and the Balkans as breakfast, lunch or even dinner, with or without drinks. In Levantine cuisines, in the Caucasus region, and in parts of Balkans, meze is served at the beginning of all large-scale meal

Hummus beiruti
Hummus topped with onions, tomato and parsley

Moutabel
Char Grilled Aubergine with tahina sauce

Spanakopita
Baked pastry triangles filled with spinach, feta, and pine nut

Falafel 
Deep Fried Chick pea

Of the four my favorite was Spanakopita, the blend of Spinach 
with cheese was just perfect. The pastry on top was neither too 
crispy nor too soft. Falafel was again a hit, crispy on the outside           and soft on the inside

Orange Sorbet, I was pretty much impressed with the way it was presented. 

Tasted good too ;-) 

Aushak 
Homemade leek ravioli sautéed mushroom and fennel


Ravioli, which is completely made in house.Stuffed with leek it tasted differently delectable. The Ravioli was served on a bed of mushroom and beetroot sauce and topped with asparagus.

Pollo al chilindrón 
Corn fed chicken with sweet paprika, red pepper, tomato

A visual treat, to me. Plating was done with yellow zucchini and       drumstick. The Chicken was stuffed with corn and color capsicum

Dessert Sampler

Almond Cake

Baklava

Oreo Chocolate Pie

Figs and Fruits

I loved every-bit of the dessert sampler. Each piece had a distinct and unique flavor. Figs with a fruit cocktail on it, baklava, flaky and not too sweet, something for the chocolate tooth in me. Mildly flavored Almond cake. The tastes seems to have a balance amongst them.

Drinks to Quench your thirst

Virgin Lime Mojito

Carrot Basil Vodka

Cucumber Mint Vodka

The in between drinks that we had, was vegetable cocktails and mocktail  I loved the blend of virgin lime mojito. It was very much the way I like it, that I ordered a second glass of the same.

The ambiance of the place, is extra ordinary, and the service is very courteous. The various lamps that they have used to decorate the place is unique and attractive too. 

Will I go back ? Definitely YES. 

Kefi is located at 

Taj Club House

No. 2,Club House Road

Chennai - 600002

Tamil Nadu

Chennai

INDIA

Tel: (91-44) 66313131

ECO Cafe' - Chamiers Road

Eco Cafe' is located amidst the most traffic prone zone, yet has a a very serene interiors. It is located in Chamiers Road. The Ambience of the Cafe is very nice. One can eat at the same time do some little shopping of trinklets and books. You can enjoy your cup of cofee while you catch up with the daily news or read a book in the perfect environment. 

Coming to the food part of Eco Cafe' the menu consisted of the following. Please bear with me for the poor lighting photos. The lighting in the Cafe' is suited for having food there but not for taking pictures. All of us who went for the review, had a problem with the light and clicking photos. 

The menu card reminded me of the menu in Amethyst.

Here is an array of dishes that we had a chance to taste

BRUSCHETTA PLATTER 

ANTIPASTI SALAD

GAMBAS AL AJIILO

MUSHROOM RISOTTO

WAFFLES WITH BANANA AND CHOCOLATE

WAFFLES AND RISOTTO

PANCAKE

ENGLISH NON VEG BREAKFAST

PASTA FUNGI 

VEGGIE CLUB SANDWICH

CREAM CARAMEL

The dishes as they came in , some had a good taste and some did miss the mark of good food. We all did taste most of the food that came in and it was mostly a live on the floor discussion about the taste. This happened as we were all crowded in one table to take pictures of the food that was being served.

Presentation of the food was very good in the case of Veg Club Sandwich, but in the case of Pancake it was very plain.

The best dishes of the whole lot was Veg Club Sandwich and the Sun dried Tomato Sandwich. Hash Brown Potato tasted out of the world. Risotto was perfectly made and tasted good. Pancake tasted very average. The Cream Caramel was a little too eggy. All dishes related to pasta variety did not taste that great. In the Bruschetta platter I did not feel the flavor of olive oil or herbs

If you are going to visit Eco Cafe' do not miss

• Strawberry Orange Drink
• Waffles with banana and chocolate
• Carrot Cake

Eco Cafe' is a place where you can completely relax yourself in the calm Ambience of the trees, books and some light food. You need to spend quality time to enjoy it on the whole, the food and the place. It is best suited when you are in dire need of solitude or wanna spend some quality time with your loved one. 

Food 6/10Ambiance 8/10Price 8/10

Jaavaid's Kebabs and Kurries - Restaurant Review

Before I start about the review, let me shed some light on the salient features of the cuisine from the Silent Valley. I feel one needs to know about it to appreciate the food that is being served at Jaavaid's KNK ( kebabs and kurries)

In the olden times, almost every Kashmiri household, in the plains had a professional Kashmiri cook in residence, who were the masters of their art. Pure ghee and mustard oil was used freely and every mealtime was an event in itself. Gradually and with time, the ladies of the household learnt the art under specialized training of these culinary masters and became as proficient as their ‘gurus’. As the living costs increased with time, the era of these super cooks ended. However, their art wasn’t lost.

One can frequently taste the delicacies mastered by the chefs at the wedding. Kashmiri Wazwaan that evolved in the Valley several centuries ago acquired some of the scrumptious elements art of Moghul cooking and yet has retained a distinct personality of its own because the of their authenticity in herbs,  spices that has not changed for centuries…..

There are two classes of culinary craftsmanship in Kashmir, namely those of the Kashmiri Pundits and the Kashmiri Muslims. The basic difference between the two was that the abundant use of Hing (asafetida) and curd among the Hindu’s and the open-handed use of onions, Kong (saffron/ kesar) and garlic among the Muslims.

Hindu Brahmins (Kashmiri Pundits) are not averse to eating meat, but rather love lamb, they prefer the lamb, that too a young one. No vegetarian or non-vegetarian dish, except certain Kebabs is cooked without curd. The Kashmiri’s often cook their food by heating it on two sides, from top and bottom for that distinctive taste. The charcoal fire is used even today at the weddings, but oven also serves as a good substitute.

Originally, Kashmiri Pundits avoided onions and garlic but now many of them have acquired a taste for them and include them in certain recipes as optional.Kashmiri cooks known as the ‘Waza’s’ claim to be the descendants of the master chef’s who migrated from Samarkand and parts of Central Asia at the beginning of the 15th century and were a vital part of the entourage that came to Kashmir during the reign of Timur (Tamarlane).

The Kashmiri Banquet is known as the Wazwaan, a feast for the King, which is perhaps the most unique and elaborate royal spread of meat and delicacies compared to the other parts of India. Comprising of thirty-six courses, fifteen to thirty dishes are varieties of meat. Many of the delicacies are cooked throughout the night under the expert supervision of a ‘Waza’ or head chef assisted by an entourage of thirty or more assistant Waza’s under him (during the wedding seasons) . Kashmir’s most formal meal, Wazwan is not only a ritual but also a ceremony. Traditionally, no spoons, forks, or knives are used.The rice, which is the staple diet of Kashmiri’s, is served in a heap in a huge platter known as the ‘Traami’ and four people share a Traami. 

The side dishes are served in an overwhelming manner one after the other, such as Tabaqmas, Rista, Waaz Cockur, Seekh kebab, Aab Gosht and Gostaba to name a few. A non-Kashmiri would be in awe at the wonderful mouth watering variety. Being invited to a Wazwan is a rare luxury that one can really enjoy the hospitality and taste of the rich culture. The wazwaan is also known as the celebratory meal n its authenticity is handed down through generations only by word of mouth… 

If you are in mood to taste authentic Kashmiri cuisine, there is only one place you need to head to . Its Jaavaid's Kebabs and Kurries, Khader Nawaz Khan Road

Before I start about the food that was served at Jaavaid's, I would like to give a special mention  of thanks to Team Jaaviad for the wonderful food and hospitality. I did not have a slight feeling that I was in a restuarant, it was like visiting friends after a long time. Special Thanks to Nishanth and CFG for giving me this wonderful opportunity. More than the food, photography and review, I got to know more people who love good food just like what I do. 

Without further ado, the dishes in the order they were served.

Khawah, which is being served at marriage feasts, festivals, and religious places, it is customary to serve Kahwah, or Qahwah (originates from a 14th century Arab coffee, which, in turn, was named after an ancient beverage of the Sufis) - a green  tea made with saffron, spices, and almonds or walnuts. Over 20 varieties of Kahwah are prepared in different households. Some people also put milk in kahwah (half milk + half kahwah).

Timbre Kebabs, the name reminded me of the film Cheeni Kum. It was very juicy, marinateed with hot spices from the valley, a perfect blend of hot spices over burning embers of coals

A Closer shot of Timbre Kebab. Are you drooling ?

Onion Chutney, usually served with the kebabs, goes well with rotis and is very spicy. Its a treat to your taste pal lattes

Next comes the Mutton Seekh Kebab ,Tender lamb meat, minced, mixed with herbs

Paneer Makhmali Kebab, this was a treat to the vegetarian heart. The spices were different, the aroma of was very authentic. This was the best among the vegetarian dishes

Tabaq Maaz  - Divinely delicious ribs of tender lamb, bolied with spices from the valley & shallow fried on slow heat to a crackling crispy texture

Jaavaids Special Kebab - this is a boneless preparation, which is Chef Jaavaid's secret recipe. The taste was out of the world.

Vegetable Seekh Kebab - It had the taste of minced vegetable with a special mix of flavors and cooked in coal

Raal Mel Talith - this was a very tangy dish with crispy vegetables. I loved the taste of spice and tanginess

Talith Alwae - Potato cubes with a strong flavor of spices and lime. Tasted so good. 

Shammi Kebab - tender chicken , deep fried after being cooked with special herbs and pounded.

Mutton Rogan Josh - Mutton cooked in the aromatic flavors of the Silent Valley

Garlic Naan to accompany Rogan Josh

Rogan Josh, for your eyes !!

Tandoor platter of Roti, Butter Naan, Paratha and Garlic Naan. They were sooper soft.

Bottle guard has never tasted so good. This is Al Yakhini , Bottle guard cooked in yogurt mixture along with mint

Marchhvangan Qurma, an extremely spicy gravy - Lamb cooked in Kashmiri red chillie

Dhaniwal Qurma - Lamb cooked in Yogurt mixture with coriander, making it very aromatic and tasty. A treat to the eyes, nose and your stomach.

Mutton Pepper Chops - Tender Lamb, cooked with pepper corn. Ideal for a person with cold

Sabz Pulao - mildly flavoured long grain rice with 

crispy vegetables.

Mix Vegetable Curry - to accompany the Subz pulao

  Chicken Biryani with the traditional brinjal curry - the taste was so authentic, that it still lingers in my mind

Goshtaba - Hand Pounded lamb dumplings cooked in creamy yoghurt with special herbs n spices . This is    the last dish of a Wazwaan. before the dessert is served

Badam Sweet or Badam Meetha  - A delicious coarsely ground almond dessert, served chilled, an indulgence truly

The overall experience was too good, I look forward to my next visit to the restaurant and has been talking to all my friends about this for the past three days. The food was brilliant, the ambiance soothing, the service was courteous, what more do you want from a restaurant. 

Jaavaid's Kebabs and Kurries are located at the below address

No. 18/28 Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600034

Ph: 044 4300 0535

Landmark:- 

Entrance 1 - On Khader Nawaz Khan Road between Tommy Hilfiger & Wills Lifestyle Showroom 

Entrance 2 - On Wallace Garden 2nd Street diagonally opposite to Sandy's & Right next to Harley Davidson  Showroom