So the much coveted barbeque chain has finally set foot in town. And people are going gaga over it. I am no exception. Barely able to contain the excitement of biting into unlimited juicy chunky pieces of meat, neatly skewered and beautifully grilled over hissing hot charcoal, I go through the live grill experience on your table. A pleasantly smiling waiter brings in the smoking hot grill of charcoals, gently slides the wooden lid on my table and lowers it into the pit in the centre. He introduces himself as Sikkandar Shah and explains the process as the skewers arrive.
Madurai; Tamil Nadu; 27/02/2016. The newly opened Barbeque Nation restaurant at Vishal De Mal, Maduraiy. Photo; G. Moorthy
Succulent pieces of chicken, fish and prawns, marinated in fiery red masalas and carefully strung across a dozen skewers are promptly arranged on the charcoal grill. You can choose to grill it longer but I cull out the pieces early as I like it that way. There’s a range of sauces and dips to choose from and the classic mayonnaise goes well with anything skewered. It doesn’t take long to pin my favourites. I vote for the fish. It is delicious with the garlic and ajwain masala adding zing to the taste and flavour while the real soft core melts in the mouth. Surprisingly the prawns are not rubbery, unlike in many other barbeque places, but I found the chicken pieces a bit chewy.
“We expect the live grill to be a novel experience for the people of Madurai. We are aware of the town’s vibrant food scene and wanted to add our flavour to it,” says Ram Thakur, Business Manager. The place has been going houseful ever since the inauguration last week.
Madurai; Tamil Nadu; 27/02/2016. The newly opened Barbeque Nation restaurant at Vishal De Mal, Maduraiy. Photo; G. Moorthy
Between refills of starters, I happily take brief breaks and savour some slender portions of mutton seekh kebab. The crispy fried potato tossed in Cajun sauce is a signature of Barbeque Nation and an absolute delight for gastronomes. “A variety of complimentary mocktails are also on offer,” informs Thakur. From the classic Mojito and sweet lime to the syrupy mocktails in wacky colours, it’s a wide range and I settle for the mojito that compliments the spicy starters.
After quite a few rounds of the grill, I pull down the ‘I give up’ flag on the table. Setting aside the guilt of a sinful indulgence, I sheepishly go for the main course, an elaborate buffet. The salad counter is an explosion of colours with over 12 kinds of salads, from sprouts, peanuts and sweet corn to dressed coleslaw. The spread for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians look equally impressive with a spicy biryani, two curries and fries, rice and a range of Indian breads. “The menu is an assorted mix every day and we change it weekly. Even the masala compositions differ every week,” says Thakur.
Even as I decide to put a full stop to the binge, the dessert counter beckons with spongy cakes of chocolate and kiwi flavours, fruit tarts, kesar phirnee, gulab jamuns and scoops of ice creams. And how could I ignore all that?
@ Barbeque Nation, Third Floor, Milanem Mall, 100 Feet Road, Managiri, K.K.Nagar Ph: 09024826060
Hit: Perfectly skewered starters
Miss: Insipid biryani in the buffet
Meal for Two: Rs.1000 plus Tax (Non veg), Rs.900 plus Tax (Veg)
