The busyness of Nungambakkam High Road has spilled over into the streets leading off it. Businesses, offices and stores have cropped up over the past few years, and along with them, so have some popular restaurants. Jagannathan Road plays host to quite a few eateries. DG’s Grizzlers joined the club earlier this year.
Situated in the first floor of a complex, one of the advantages of the place is that there’s ample parking space. As the name suggests, grilled sizzlers are their specialty. The restaurant itself is done up tastefully — low lighting, comfortable seating and framed art on the walls — not at all like how one would expect a (sort of) steakhouse to look.
The menu, however, doesn’t ignore vegetarians. Almost all the courses have as many dishes for vegetarians as there are for the meat eaters, stretching beyond just paneerand mushroom. While waiting for our soup, my two colleagues and I nibble on pita bread and hummus and tacos with salsa and sour cream and sip on ice-cold non-alcoholic margaritas.
The yakhni shorba (shredded lamb and coriander soup) is spicy and heavy on Indian flavours. With a twist on the usual tomato soup, there’s a cream of tomato and carrot soup — it’s delightfully spicy especially when it hits the back of your throat. The creamy seafood broth with basa fish, squid and prawn is one of the best dishes of the night.
Throughout the evening, it is the seafood that hits the mark; the chicken dishes definitely need some reworking. The oregano marinated chicken served on skewers is quite dry; although the flavours are good, it is difficult to enjoy them. Spicy tandoori chicken in an egg wrap, served as a sizzler, would be much better if the meat was moister. The mixed seafood salad tossed with lemon mayonnaise saves the day.
The crisp mini quesadillas filled with spinach and assorted vegetables are quite tasty. The vegetarian side trips with a salad that’s more like a stir fry. The Medi Mix pasta comes with an assortment of vegetables and outnumbers the pasta in quantity; a big thumbs up.
For the main course, we go with the Blackened Chicken and Roast Lamb sizzlers suggested by the staff. The lamb comes with a side of onion rings that could’ve definitely been done better. The meat, however, is succulent and well cooked in a garlic and rosemary sauce. The chicken dish is again on the dry side.
The sizzlers can be ordered with a variety of sides. We sample the meltingly delicious mashed potatoes, chewy and dry herb rice and crisp croquettes. Apart from this, the menu also has Indian dishes ranging from biryani to a variety of breads. The drunken chicken gravy with warm rotis is a great combination.
Caramel Panna Cotta sounds intriguing and so it’s the first dessert we order. It’s a little over-set, and tastes a bit like Lacto King candy. The soft centre chocolate pudding with vanilla ice cream is, for lack of a better word, extremely chocolaty. There’s also a forgettable chocolate brownie served with ice cream. While what the restaurant has done with the space and menu is commendable, some of the dishes need a second look.
DG’s Grizzlers is located at 13/6, Jagannathan Road, Nungambakkam. A meal for two costs Rs 1000.
