ITP Indian Travel Places: Food, Travel, Tourism Business Events and Trade Shows
Phone: 044 33011717
Address: H-Block, Ground Floor, Plot 1633, 54, 13th Main Road, Anna Nagar West, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Time: 11 AM – 11 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 800
Cuisines: Continental, Seafood, Biryani, Italian, North Indian, Asian, Kebab
Facilities: Home Delivery, No Alcohol Available, Group Meal, Kid Friendly, Table booking recommended, Desserts and Bakes, Live Sports Screening, Free Parking, Indoor Seating, Valet Parking Available, Table booking for Groups
Urban Spatula, Anna Nagar West, Chennai: Decor
Maybe it is the location, maybe it is the Vaastu, this ground floor 2,300 sq foot restaurant – with an extra-large kitchen – has its regular and irregular clientele occupying tables for lunch, tea and dinner. A golden glow brought about by the generous use of pine wood almost everywhere, even to clad pillars makes Urban Spatula memorable. Ropes across the ceiling continue tying the theme together as they are used to make lights. They even have a dedicated mocktail bar occupying one end of the restaurant, giving the place a pub appeal.
Urban Spatula, Anna Nagar West, Chennai: Food
This decor and food are both the result of extensive travel by owner Dr. Zakaria Sait and marketing director Haseeb Modi, I’m told. One look at the menu and I see it has practically covered most of the popular cuisine: Indian, Italian, tandoori, Chinese, Thai… I begin with paneer tikka and like it that my knife cuts through the paneer chunks like butter. And, when I put it in my mouth, I appreciate the effort that has gone into making this one. It is marinated through and through, tasting good even without the chutney.
A little on the flat side, the galouti kebab disc does a good job of melting in the mouth. I’m sure the Nawab of Lucknow would have approved. It has the right ingredients, saffron included.
The peri peri chicken marinade is ‘imported’. However, the Indian chicken is on the stringy side, killing all the pleasure of that marinade. Macroni cutlet is a home recipe that comes from one of the director’s homes. One bite and I like its regular, recognizable flavors: Amul cheese, macaroni, green chillies, potato, onion and coriander. I enjoy it with chutney instead of sauce and like the texture of macaroni, potato and processed cheese.
Not many can resist paneer makhni, especially when it is accompanied by the softest phulka glistening with ghee. The paneer is soft, and the gravy is exactly as I expect it to be. Comfort food? For sure.
Finally, after much deliberation, I go with the kulfi, as it has been created by one of the lady staff. Going with my instinct was a good thing, because I find myself enjoying the recognizable richness of each ingredient: saffron, cardamom and bits of nuts. Milky, it has the right amount of sugar.
Pluses & Minuses:
A comfortable ambience and willing-to-please staff. The menu has a little of this, a little of that, something for everyone without a strong statement. I object to stringy chicken, and pasty, over-sweet badami halwa.
