Metro Plus
Chennai
Hyderabad
Introduction
YOU HAVEN'T been to the brand new Thai restaurant? Where have you been? And so I am questioned the moment I land in gloriously rained out Chennai. "It's a boutique Thai restaurant in the Park Hotel " says one gourmet-informer, "It's not the greatest and Benjarong is better" says another food-spy of mine. So, in between my crammed and jammed day, I slip in a swift dinner at the Lotus restaurant.
Whoosh! Rich, jewel hued Thai silks drape the walls and shimmer with dappled light from the mother of pearl lamps. A few bunches of lemon grass and some Thai artifacts are sparsely displayed on the shelves. On each table glows a candle out of a beautiful brass lotus holder. Just off the funky lobby of the Park Hotel, this small and very contemporary restaurant opened in the beginning of last month. Chef Sommai Aksorandee constructs the elaborate menu (bound in Thai silk).
First the good news — the service is swift and flawless. The Penaeng curry is superlative and spiced with just the right whisper of sweetness. The pork with fried garlic (Rs. 325) is okay. Now, the bad news. The steamed fish with lemon grass (Rs. 375) disappoints, and even the stir-fried sliced chicken (Rs. 345) is not up to the mark. The stir-fried veggies with tofu and the dessert with shrikhand in it, leave a lot to be desired. So, my gourmet-informer is proved to be right.
However, in order to be fair, I walk up to my neighbouring table, interrupt their meal (all in the interest of research), click their photograph and request them for their opinion. Tina Vincent (a designer by profession) and her husband Vincent Asokan absolutely love the food and the ambience and this is their second visit here. Their guests Atul and Divya Gupta would've preferred a more traditional ambience, but are happy with the food. I am determined to go back for another try, but meanwhile there is a good VFM "Curry Lunch" (Rs. 350) with a soup, curry and rice, salad and dessert buffet, which is Rs. 500 on Sundays. Do check out the place and share your palate opinion with me, please! Lotus, 601 Anna Salai, Tel: 7144000. Open 12.30 to 3p.m. 7.30 to 11.30p.m. Prior booking advised.
Absolutely delighted to hear from you. Thanks ever so much for calling and e-mailing.
(Rashmi Uday Singh is a food reporter,critic and author for 21 years. Food and health are her passions. Her path-breaking TV serials "Health Today",nationally best-selling " Good Food Guides " the "Good Food Gallerie" and the Good Food Academy are a part of her continuing and pioneering effort to make the world a more delicious and happy place. It is not her policy to accept free meals or anything that will compromise objective food reviews.)
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RASHMI UDAY SINGH
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