Nutcracker – Days Hotel, Old Mahabalipuram Road, Chennai

Restaurant Name: Nutcracker – Days Hotel
Phone: +917358704298, +914467301444
Address: 245/1, Old Mahabalipuram Road, Padur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 603103 India
Time: 11:00 AM – 03:30 PM & 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 1,500
Cuisines: Continental, North Indian, Asian
Facilities: Home Delivery, Takeaway Available, Full Bar Available, Valet Parking Available, Indoor Seating, Family Friendly, Buffet, Wi-fi

Decor: Nutcracker – Days Hotel

In case you forget the name of the restaurant, Nutcracker , you simply have to look around and you will see numerous nutcracker figurines around the restaurant. Two life-size replicas of soldiers stand guard at the door, protecting those that dine there. Largish, the restaurant has a live kitchen and a buffet counter that is used only during breakfast. Otherwise, the steel-based tables have black wooden table tops, upholstered seating in reddish maroon and beigeish cream.

Food:

Peppery, the carrot and Cheese soup is thickened using a little maida. Its brownish-orange colour comes from cumin and pepper. Quite nice and warm, the soup is filling as well. South Indian-style, the Green Peas Vadai is interesting. Deep-fried, but not oily, each vadai disc is made using a mix of boiled and mashed peas, fennel, green &chillies, ginger and salt, all bound using besan. The coconut chutney gives it added texture and flavour. Wrapped in a banana leaf, the Meen Pollichathu is fresh and loaded with flavours from ginger garlic paste, onion, shallots, tomato and curry leaves. The use of coconut oil adds to the taste appeal. Because its clientele is mostly Japanese, they have a special menu serving Japanese cuisine. Komaya Salad, made of boiled, minced spinach, sesame oil, a little sugar and vinegar, also has the very Japanese Kikkoman soya sauce. Scattered on top of the Hyderabadi Chicken Biryani, the crisp fried onions actually retain their crunch. Otherwise, the biryani, served with onion raita, is everything one expects. Red velvet cake, layered and crumbly, is sweetened just right. Pluses and minuses: Located in the IT corridor of Chennai, it has a dedicated Japanese menu that is rather extensive. They serve a dedicated Japanese breakfast and offer bento boxes. Desserts could do with some attention as could the interiors.