I’ve never really believed in the ‘first impression is the best’ concept. But if ever I was to put any faith in it, Crimson Chakra would score very high on the list. Placed in a quiet, residential part of Gandhi Nagar, Chennai, this restaurant has a lot to boast about.
Ambience beckons
Water is said to bring with it a sense of calmness and tranquillity. The first thing that strikes you as you walk into the building is the abundance of water all around. Exquisite pieces are placed tactfully on the walls; each highlighted using a small, stylish but highly effective spotlight. From Warli art to Rajasthani-influenced paintings, you can find it all.
With all of 16 tables in the place, this home-turned-restaurant ensures you get your privacy when you eat.
Foodelicious
Having mentioned all the frills attached, here is the raw deal. The food is, to say the least, interesting. Though the preset menu might raise a few eyebrows and cause dubious glances initially, one look at the spread will send the uncertainty out the window as the bile juices churn into action!
The meal was a six-course one, comprising a welcome drink, soup, appetizers, rotis, rice, and finally dessert. Best of all is that the customer gets to choose only the soup and the drink.
Crimson Chakra proves at every point that it loves to experiment and that is does! There was an array of welcome drinks had an array to cater to all age groups. Starting from jelly-based milk drinks to coconut-based, more traditional thirst-quenchers, they had it all! Appetizers! Now there is a story! How often do you hear of unlimited appetizers? Our fare had dishes based on yam, potato and cauliflower amongst others and came with five dips.
The rotis were eye-catching. One came in a flamboyant shade of green. On inspection, it turned out to be made from betel leaves! The second variety was based on groundnut leaves! Believe me when I say every mouthful at Crimson Chakra will be full of surprises! The rice was vegetarian biryani, made with the authentic Indian touch. The aroma filled the air and even though we were pretty full by then, it was too delicious and inviting to pass up. Heard of the proverbial cherry on the cake?
The dessert was definitely just that! With cotton seed soufflé and halwa based on dates, Crimson Chakra followed tradition of saving the best for the last.
And in case you are wondering, you will never get bored of the preset menu. It keeps changing every day!
Yashasvini Rajeshwar is a Std XI student of APL Global School
