Dine @ Escape Cinemas, Chennai

My First of the many posts to come, i sincerely hope to add more to the list.

It had been quite some time since we (me and moi wife) visited Express Avenue (EA) a stone’s throw away from our home.  So, we decided to go there on a Friday evening and catch dinner at one of the many outlets over there.

First we went in for Cafe Pascucci, we were turned off by the strong odour of paint or varnish and decided to head up for the food court. That’s when my wife suggested we check out the restaurant in Escape Cinemas. 

Dine - A view from our table

I had no clue about the food they serve nor their prices, so was relieved to see the Menu card at the entrance of the restaurant. Not much of an entrance actually, its what you end up, if you miss your screen entrances. Was  greeted by nicely dressed waiter who seated us, i was expecting it to be quite noisy, it wasn’t and there was just another family seated in the restaurant.  However, at the time of show intervals, it gets a bit busy so try to get seated away from the crowd unless you plan on a putting show on for the audience. I am probably being too dramatic but guess you get the drift of it. 

One more thing worth mentioning is the fish tank called “SWIM” filled with Corals and the brightly coloured coral fishes in it, which is good but it has its sets of visitors mainly kids running around your table unattended.

Menu card is a comprehensive mix of Indian and Continental food, however, they do not have a variety of soups. It’s the Soup of the Day – a vegetarian and a Non-vegetarian. It was Tomato soup that day, and funnily enough the waiter asked us if we wanted a Chicken Tomato Soup or a Vegetarian.  This is probably the first time i have come across Chicken tomato soup at a restaurant, unless i have overlooked the menu at the hotels i have been. We went for the Veg Tomato Soup, which was one of the best tomato soups i have had in Chennai. It was creamy thick tomato soup probably with grounded lentils in it. It tasted yumm.

Tomato Soup -Veg

We had no intentions for starters, they did have a good  list of starters both veg and non veg that were reasonably priced.  Going by the smell of those that were ordered by others should have been tasty.

For the main course my wife ordered the Garden  Veg Burger and i went for the Chateaubriand Tenderloin with Horseradish Sauce.  It was good to hear from the waiter asking  “ How would you like your beef  Rare, medium or well done?”   i went the medium way.

Burger was served with fries , built with a veg pattie which is quite thin and decked with lettuce, tomato, cucumber , caramelized onions and cheese. The burger bun was also quite good, the only complain being the base of the bun was shredding into pieces even before you are halfway through with the burger. Then again, i am yet to come across a burger bun that hold well till you finish it in Chennai.

Garden Veg Burger

Chateaubriand that i ordered was perfectly done, with little bit of pinkishness as you cut through the pieces.  Three medallions of beef were served on an oddly shaped mash potato with horseradish sauce, i found the sauce nice and would have preferred a more liberal dose of it. I like more of sauce or gravy in my dishes, it was sided with a grilled baby corn, broccoli and shredded mix of vegetables. Though the portion looked small, it was quite filling and i thoroughly enjoyed it. Full points for the chef on this.

Chateaubriand with Horseradish

We did not have dessert  though they did have quite a  tempting line up on their menu, we wanted to  try it at the food court for other options  Gola , Cotton candy etc.

Totally it rang up to 475 Rs, with Soup for  75, Garden Burger for 125 and the lovely Chateaubriand for 275. No Taxes or service charges added to the bill.

Dine is located within Escape Cinemas at EA, as you enter Escape walk towards your left all the way to the end. Dine, Escape Cinemas -EA

Food  8/10

Ambience 7/10

Service 8/10

Price 8/10

Would I Recommend?   Absolutely yes, highly recommended.