ITP Indian Travel Places: Food, Travel, Tourism Business Events and Trade Shows
Address: Welcom Hotel Kences, Palm Beach, 53, Devaneri Village ,East Coast Road, Mamallapuram, Kanchipuram District, Chennai
Time: 6 AM to 11:30 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 2,500
Cuisines: Continental, Mediterranean, Cafe, Italian, European, Finger Food, Indian, Asian
Facilities: Breakfast, Wheelchair Accessible, Lunch Menu, Wifi, Disabled Friendly, Valet Parking Available, Buffet, Desserts and Bakes, Group Meal, Outdoor Seating, Kid Friendly, Free Parking
WelcomCafe Riva, Mahabalipuram, Chennai: DECOR
Remember Silver Sands on ECR? It’s been replaced by the new, revamped and ultra-chillout haven – WelcomHotel Kences, with gorgeous green abundance in place. Riva is almost at the end of the linear resort, so you could take a buggy or walk through the beauty of the resort, which is lovely, even though you don’t get a view of the ocean. With an open kitchen, bursts of colour indoors and outdoors, you could sit here mulling over where your life is taking you as you enjoy your food. This is that kind of place. Or…
WelcomCafe Riva, Mahabalipuram, Chennai: FOOD
You could break bread together with Riva’s addictive Kadak Rumali. Crisp, as the name suggests, it is sprinkled with chaat masala with dots of butter, finely chopped coriander leaves add their taste and colour to this half orb that begs to be eaten.This could be the place you are at on a droopy day with a book. Such special occasions simply beg for the Mamalla Bhajji Vali: comfort food, with local touches that include being generously basted in batter and deep fried to an even golden finish. Of course, each piece of potato, raw banana, brinjal and onion glistens invitingly, begging you to bite in right after smearing some of that spicy Byadgi chilli chutney for additional taste and pungency.Going further on the chilli trail, the Guntur Chilli Chicken gives you a taste of what Andhra chillies do to chicken. Cooked just right, it is everything one imagines it to be. A taste enhancing hint: remember to dot your chicken morsels with some lemon juice, for additional tang. On to soups. Clear yet loaded with flavours, the Riva Broth is like an elegant rasam. Tangy, with ginger and coriander, sprinkled on top, I enjoyed the tiny surprise pieces of seafood inside, adding protein, making it a light meal by itself. On to the single diner section of the menu: many options to choose from, starting with the Bun Fair, with a choice of vegetarian or non-vegetarian. That Paneer Bhurji is exactly as it should be. Not too dry and easy to scoop onto the soft bun that comes along, with the paneer adding subtle personality to the strength of the onion tomato garlic combination: perennial support system to most North Indian food. Payasam Shots are part of the Dessert Sampler. All three of them come in manageable small glasses to give you variety. Gooey and not overwhelmingly sweet, the sago must be had first. Then go for the Kerala style Ada Pradamam: healthy with its nuts and jaggery sweetening. Finally, the distinct strands of semiya in milk would satisfy any sweet cravings.
WelcomCafe Riva, Mahabalipuram, Chennai: PLUS AND MINUS
I loved the thoughtfully planned menu, local culinary touches, presentation of the food and the single diner platters. Even if you are in a group, you get to taste more as everybody can order something different. Most important: less food is wasted.
