ITP Indian Travel Places: Food, Travel, Tourism Business Events and Trade Shows
Address: 132, T.T.K Road, Alwarpet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu India
Time: 12:30 PM to 3 PM, 7:30 PM to 11:30 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 2,800
Cuisines: North Indian, South Indian, Continental, Chinese
Facilities: Wheelchair Accessible, Full Bar Available, Table booking recommended, Luxury Dining, Buffet, Wifi, 4/5 Star
The Residency – Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park, Alwarpet, Chennai: Decor
The Residency’s look is elegant, old-world even. As I enter, I see the familiar heavy, carved furniture, draped tables and a large glittering chandelier hanging from the golden dome in the middle of the restaurant, and I know all is well. It’s dark-blue patterned carpets and almost matching upholstery, pillars and curtains take me back in time. This was among the first only-buffet restaurants and has been around since the hotel opened in the 80s. Quickly, The Residency grew to become a favorite among celebrities, families and corporate guests alike.
Its pristine walls are privy to secrets and celebrations. Every time I return, I take a fleeting trip down memory lane.
I love the live music playing songs I recognize, sung beautifully by the single lady performer.
The Residency – Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park, Alwarpet, Chennai: Food
This is a buffet restaurant. The menu changes every day. However, one will always find lavish main courses consisting of eight non-vegetarian and 14 vegetarian dishes. On weekday lunches, a total of 86 items are planned. Dinners and Sunday brunches get luckier with 102 items for guests to indulge in.
Starters arrive at the table, just like they always did. I begin with Chicken Jumbo Soup. A clear-ish medley, this one has Thai flavors. Lemongrass lights up my palate along with kaffir lime adding flavor to the veggies. Prominently present, the coriander does its bit. Shredded chicken keeps the chicken promise alive.
Mango, Alphonso (no less), orange, cherry tomato, cucumber and onion rings tossed together makes this salad a vision in natural colors and flavors. Alphonso imparts distinct sweetness, while the juicy orange segments make even the onion turn pink in their fight for recognition.
Just as I was wondering when I’d get to eat all those chaats from the counters at the entrance, Dahi Poori, puffed, thin and crisp makes an appearance. Nicely stuffed, it offers my palate the right balance of sweet, sour and pungent. I like the textures and need to eat quickly before the poori sogs up and merges into one homogeneous mass. I like the non-veg tandoori platter better than the veg one. First, I dig into the chicken tikka. Crusty black edges and the soft chicken meat, marinated to perfection, tastes better with an onion sliver, a dash of lime and that fresh mint chutney. Ditto with the prawn. It is succulent, has hints of ajwain (sombu) and just a hint of kasuri methi. Well balanced flavors and textures here.
From all the desserts on display, the Olive Oil Ice Cream captures my taste buds. It is different. The olive oil flavors cannot be missed as they harmonize with the condensed milk, honey and glucose.
The Residency – Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park, Alwarpet, Chennai: Plus & Minus
The live music can be quite mesmerizing, considering this one girl with a powerful voice can keep an audience of diners listening is commendable. That chaat counter and sushi sections need more attention to attain distinction.
