La Shaakahari

Late in the evening me and my friend wanted to have dinner outside, i was suggesting that we head to Pizza Republic only to find out that its not opened yet. As we were riding around Shashtri bhavan i remembered someone mentioning about  a food joint and i took the Pycrofts Garden street and ended up at La Shaakahari, vegetarian restaurant.

It was a medium sized restaurant that could accommodate atleast 50 people, we were quickly seated at a table and then asked to move to another table as  a bigger group turned up. The ambience isnt that great very noisy place and infact one of the noisiest that i had been too. 

Menu card was simple they had Continental and indiam cuisine, we decided to try the baked stuff for the main course. For starters, we ordered cheese bombs and roasted tomato soup followed by Roasted Lasagna Verdu and Vegetable Moussaka.

Starters came in no time at all, soup was an excuse for starch water with tomato flavoring. It lacked flavor and wasnt good.Cheese bombs was alright, wasn't gooey with cheese rather one gets hint of cheese in it and the batter is like the bajji batter.

Next was the roasted lasagna verdu which was served in a very hot plate, with the cutleries in it and though the waiter did mention that the plate was hot. I think they had put the cutleries also along in the oven. Almost burnt my fingers. Lasagna was just sheets of pasta with veggies in white sauce and some tomato sauce. First couple of bites were good however more you have it, gets tough to eat. Vegetable moussaka was totally unlike a mousakka, hardly any aubergines, looks they picked up the baby brinjals and sliced them up.  Though it looked alright with a rich tomato gravy, as one digs in its again diced veggies in cream sauce and just the top layer has aubergines. It tasted so-so and was definetly not a moussaka very pretentious stuff.

Vegetable Moussakka

Lasagna

 

We decided to leave and not try the desserts, the total bill came to 718 Rs. I have no clue about the Indian cuisine at this place, however unsure whether to check them out sometime later.

La Shaakahari is located on 20 Pycrofts Garden road, Nungambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600006

 

Food 5/10
Ambience 5/10
Service 6/10
Price 6/10

Would I Recommend?  Hmm may be not.

Sandy's Chocolate Laboratory

It was time for our quarterly team lunch and the big decision of finding a good place within the budget was at mind. Decided to try Sandy's at Wallace Garden  Rd, Nungambakkam, since they didnt have their menu online called them up and was told that avg price is around 600 Rs. This was on the high side however, we decided to go anyway and if it was too much on the high side will walk out to either Jakobs Kitchen, Equinox or Mash Grill House.

We booked the table and i was the first to arrive, flipped through the menu and found that well within our budget. Decor was very simplistic, more like a cafe atmosphere, with interesting receptacles for serving such as conical flask, beaker etc. Ambience was quite good and the tables are spaced apart as well. Beneath this cafe type place was hidden a restaurant that dishes out amazing food. Soon my colleagues joined in and were ready to order.

For starters, we ordered Jalapeno potato fritters and potato wedges, we wanted to order Spanakopita but they were not having it that day. Spanakopita was a dish with Spinach, Feta and other stuff sounded yumm but alas not to be had; probably next time. Jalapeno potato fritters was served with salsa and it was crumb coated with a gooey centre made of creamy potato, jalapenos and cheese, simply irrestible. Potato wedges was served with ketchup, i would have love to have it some creamy dip. Nothing wrong with ketchup its just me.

Jalapeno Potato Fritters

Potato Wedges

For the main course, we ordered couple of tenderloin burgers, couple of ravioli with spinace and mushroom in white sauce and grilled fish with lemon sauce. First to arrive were the burgers and they looked just like burgers- meaty and yummy served with potato wedges, ketchup and pickled veggies. I had ordered mine medium and the other was welldone. The buns were not thick crumbly ones and held well until we chowed down the last morsel of it. Patty was flavorsome, well seasoned and stacked amongst bacon rashes, tomato, lettuce etc. By far the best burger i have had in town and with each and every bite, it was just too good and fanfare for the tastebuds.

Tenderloin Burger with Bacon and Cheese

Grilled fish with butter lemon sauce was served with mashed potatoes and was grilled close to perfection, not dry and the sauce had a zing to it. Combination of the sauce, fish and mash was pure bliss.

Grilled Fish on Lemon Sauce

Raviolli with Spinach n Mushroom on white sauce was in no way inferior to the previous dishes and was quite rich and the pasta was brilliant to say the least. Only sore thing being the portion could have had a bit more of ravioli since it didn't quite feel filling as the other dishes.

Raviolli with Mushroom n Spinach

Next, we ordered desserts chocolate ice cream, nutella chocolate bar, funky monkey and  that little tiny cake. No complaints there as the taste was just orgasmic, only oohs and aahs as we dug into them. All in all a lunch well spent and worth every penny of it.

Tiny Chocolate Cake

Nutella Chocolate Bar

 

Funky Monkey

Chocolate Icecream

The only not so good comment is the fact that one had to wait for a long time to get our glasses filled with water, waiters were oblivious to the presence of customers and one had to holler out to get their attention. An improvement would be much appreciated. Another thing that caught my attention was that they do no have any lamb dishes on their menu.

I would say that when you step out of Sandy's you would leave with satiated appetite and money spent on worthy dishes.

Average price of starters is 160 Rs, Main courses 300 Rs, Desserts 200 Rs. Our bill came to 2900 INR with the above dishes.

Thanks to Luke, Bharath, Deepa and Felita for the awesome company for the lunch.


Sandy's Chocolate Laboratory is located on 16, Wallace Garden, 2nd Street, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600006

Food  9.5/10
Ambience 6.5/10
Service 7.5/10
Price 7/10


Would I Recommend?  Yes,totally without hesitation

Tawa Fish Fry

Ingredients

Pomfret or King Fish  8 pieces

Chilli Powder 3 tsp

Curry Chilli Powder 1 tsp

Turmeric Powder 1/4 tsp

Garam Masala 1/4 tsp

Lime 1 nos

Salt for taste

Water 

Butter for frying

Soy Sauce 1/2 tsp ( if one needs)

HP Sauce 1/2 tsp ( if one have)

Preparing the Marinade

Mix all the powders with juice of lime, salt and the sauces, add just a bit of water to make a thick paste.

Making

Coat the fish well into the marinade and let it sit in the refrigerator for 2-3 hrs. Now heat the tawa or skillet and drop a couple of dollops of butter. When the butter melts now place the fish on the tawa, cover and cook under med-high flame for about 2 minutes. Now flip the fish on the other side and cook for another  minute or two. Ensure you don't overcook the fish and making it too dry. Serve it hot with onions or any creamy dips.

 Made this on a rainy day and had it with onions, tastes like heaven.

If you like it  and tried it, do leave a comment. Don't forget to  share it