ITP Indian Travel Places: Food, Travel, Tourism Business Events and Trade Shows
Address: 125, 3rd Floor, 3rd Avenue, W Block, Anna Nagar West, Chennai
Time: 12 Noon to 11 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 1,700
Cuisines: Indian, Chinese, Continental, Finger Food
Facilities: Full Bar Available, Smoking Area, Serves Cocktails, Nightlife, Resto Bar
The Cycle Gap, Anna Nagar, Chennai: Decor
The whole experience begins almost as soon as I spot The Cycle Gap. Each stair that leads to the lift has yellow stickers explaining exactly what ‘cycle gap’ means. It is that tiny space between two vehicles on a busy Indian road that the practiced cyclist dares to squeeze through. Up I go, the smile hardly leaving my face. It grows wider as I see two halves of an auto rickshaw on either side of the entrance, creating a cycle gap. There’s no mistake: I’ve come to the right place. Inside, bathed in golden light, wooden flooring and different,colorful seating to suit the mood. High or low, sofa or chair. Gleaming metal cycle wheels form part of the ceiling decor.
The Cycle Gap, Anna Nagar, Chennai: Food
Full of the vegetable flavors blending with just the right amount of spice, the hara bhara kebabs let ginger hold sway,while the onion salad adds a new dimension of flavors and texture. Cheesy cauliflower and broccoli drenched in white sauce go through two cooking techniques. Once roasted in the tandoor and the second, baked in an oven. Result: it is smoky, holds on to its natural crunch and has flavors of mustard dominating. But, wait! Where’s the cheese? Off goes my dish to get cheesed up a bit, and I’m happy.
Indo-Chinese paneer promises fusion. Garam masala mixes with green chillies and Chinese condiments. Corn flour-coated and deep fried, the rubberized paneer pieces don’t absorb that lovely masala. Maybe letting it marinate for a bit and tossing it in a wok could help retain paneer softness.
There’s a secret ingredient that holds the tiny cocktail chicken vadas together.And it’s not what you think or imagine… I’m not about to let out the secret, either. But I enjoyed the vadas, minced chicken and all. Very different and well defined doughnut shape.
Chicken seems to be Chef’s strength, and it shows in the Chettinad chicken tikka. Quite the independent one, it doesn’t need any chutney to enhance flavors, and is quite on the spicy side. I end with some comfort food, tadka daal kichadi. Light,it has the homely taste of ghee,crunch from onion, and texture for broccoli, carrot and French beans.
The Cycle Gap, Anna Nagar, Chennai: Plus & Minus
The Cycle Gap is the only bar in Anna Nagar. Their drinks use fresh juices (mostly) and have local touches. I am a bit disappointed that they have no homemade desserts.
