L'Amandier (European cuisine in Chennai)
So it was a moment when I decided I needed a break from my own cuisine. The family had also planned that we would lunch out on Christmas Day.
I reached out to M with a message asking for M's expert advice and expertise with fine dining etc and M did selectively suggest three places...One was way beyond my budget, one I had already been there...then there was just this one place left whose advertisement had been playing all day on air that I was getting sick of hearing it and had to find out for myself...I am not sure if it is still playing because I am done and dusted with the place for the moment.
I would have to find another opportunity or excuse to go there again but definitely not on a festive day or a day where the whole of Chennai was "bumping" into one another (take the literal meaning)...in the huge space where the tables were set in such a cramped manner right next to the buffet counter...I think that's where the illogical part was...either there were too many people who decided not to have a homemade meal or the space where the buffet was spread out should have been more organised so that people didn't have to move as if all the food in the world would disappear if we didn't queue up like so and everything would vanish. Such an Indian mentality and overview of buffets!!!
That sight did put me off...It followed by us asking for our reserved space and being initially led to a dungeon (basement area) ...it did have festive cushion colours on the chairs or was it the walls? but we were just surrounded by walls and if one had to get their food (set Christmas meal of the day) there was a huge work out of climbing up the stairs, almost working up on an appetite. I was picturing the second and third helpings up and down the stairs.
The thought of that basement still scares me...I did notice a couple or two sitting there...nice for them cause that's what couples need to whisper sweet nothings endlessly or nibble one another's ears before getting to the soup or the starters. But that space was certainly not for us or my grown up kids.
We did vehemently put our foot down as we had made our booking much in advance and requested to be shown a brighter space where we didn't have to burn calories by walking up and alighting stairs...In my opinion a total put off. Finally we were shown this part of the upstairs which was better and any day made more sense than a basement area.
So it did take us a few moments to feel tucked in and have a sense of the ambience...being led to the basement initially despite the upstairs being quite empty did give us a wrong impression and I already worked out the whys and why nots in my head in that treatment. For a first timer there at the place...it was a huge let down! Forgivable but cannot be forgotten.
It was a set Christmas meal hence you get what was there on the buffet priced at Rs.750/- plus taxes. I did like the lighting all over but my gut feeling told me it was going to get cramped after all it was the holiday season, furthermore it is ideally located in a posh area where they would receive a nice clientele-foreigners inclusive. And we did see fancy cars and people pouring in even after our exit!
The bottled water came in followed by this lovely warm soup. I think I wolfed it down as my appetite was slowly building.I had not had breakfast as I was looking forward to this meal with my family. This could have been brought in with an assortment of bread/ bread basket, breadsticks or a toast...I guess we should have asked!
I did notice their table Napkins with these cute satin stitch and did remind me of how I used to pair my kids' socks from finding the lost pairs by stitching each pair in a different colour.
His songs for the occasion was the brightest spot as I hummed with familiarity to the numbers that he played. It was very festive...He was later on joined by two others who did cheer us all.
That was the turkey being sliced and the first time I tried turkey meat...I couldn't enjoy it as the skin was thick and the insides were bland. I did see a fresh bird later on and it looked more meatier than the one which is here on display. Hence, not sure what to say on the taste. I had to remind myself several times that it was European and maybe bland for our taste buds just as ours would be too spicy for them.
Food was good. I did notice that there was a fish served, a chicken cold cut and a chicken served on the non-veg table. Salads had the usual with the various dressings. Paella was tasty!
I must admit that the vegetarian display or buffet was far better and tastier and the Indian in us all reached out for that curry which looked spicy and red (not in this pic). I loved the green dish which is either tapioca or sweet potato, I couldn't make out the difference and couldn't find the name plate next to the dish...it could have fallen off from the table as it was crowded!
The dish with the sundried tomatoes was lovely!(bottom right-pic above)
That's the counter where the pasta was being served...crammed for space as the customers queued in hence I did skip it owing to the wait. Loads of stewards with their Santa hat heads bobbing up and down amongst the crowd was a nice sight from the upstairs but too crammed if one was seated down.
Chewy meringue
Dessert. There were pineapples and papaya. The husband who loves fruits told me that the pineapple was tasty but I did find the papaya that was served quite unpresentable.
The Cat tongue was good (biscuit/cookie) and it did take me back to my childhood! One of those easy and simple kind of cookies which leaves a childhood memory in your taste buds.
The biggest PLUS was this strawberry panacotta, I had one brought to my table as it was polished off from the counter when the two young ladies before me took the last two on display then while we were there. I am positive there would have been a refill!
Inviting indeed! The entrance to L'Amandier located at 57, 2nd Main Road, R A Puram, Chennai. The Cuisine/Café/ The Bistro is European.
As a person who observes other people and enjoys food presentations...it was so interesting to see the N number of selfies being clicked!!! while I religiously clicked pics of the food! Technology I say!!!!
Would I go there again? Well...hmmm...definitely not on a festive day but I am curious to try their breakfast buffet or their Sunday brunch. I would go there again for that! Ideal ambience for expats and NRIs
I think this seating arrangement was made for the occasion and I am presuming that on an ordinary day, it is more easy to meander and get to our food or be served A la Carte.
I reached out to M with a message asking for M's expert advice and expertise with fine dining etc and M did selectively suggest three places...One was way beyond my budget, one I had already been there...then there was just this one place left whose advertisement had been playing all day on air that I was getting sick of hearing it and had to find out for myself...I am not sure if it is still playing because I am done and dusted with the place for the moment.
I would have to find another opportunity or excuse to go there again but definitely not on a festive day or a day where the whole of Chennai was "bumping" into one another (take the literal meaning)...in the huge space where the tables were set in such a cramped manner right next to the buffet counter...I think that's where the illogical part was...either there were too many people who decided not to have a homemade meal or the space where the buffet was spread out should have been more organised so that people didn't have to move as if all the food in the world would disappear if we didn't queue up like so and everything would vanish. Such an Indian mentality and overview of buffets!!!
That sight did put me off...It followed by us asking for our reserved space and being initially led to a dungeon (basement area) ...it did have festive cushion colours on the chairs or was it the walls? but we were just surrounded by walls and if one had to get their food (set Christmas meal of the day) there was a huge work out of climbing up the stairs, almost working up on an appetite. I was picturing the second and third helpings up and down the stairs.
The thought of that basement still scares me...I did notice a couple or two sitting there...nice for them cause that's what couples need to whisper sweet nothings endlessly or nibble one another's ears before getting to the soup or the starters. But that space was certainly not for us or my grown up kids.
We did vehemently put our foot down as we had made our booking much in advance and requested to be shown a brighter space where we didn't have to burn calories by walking up and alighting stairs...In my opinion a total put off. Finally we were shown this part of the upstairs which was better and any day made more sense than a basement area.
That was on offer but I got my own hand made homemade plumcake too back home!!!
Now that's where we got to sit and to get our food, we had to walk down two flights of stairs. Not liking the thought of that now... but bore in mind that it was an excuse to get away from my kitchen and the humdrum of my own cooking.
As a person who observes other people and enjoys food presentations...it was so interesting to see the N number of selfies being clicked!!! while I religiously clicked pics of the food! Technology I say!!!!
I think this seating arrangement was made for the occasion and I am presuming that on an ordinary day, it is more easy to meander and get to our food or be served A la Carte.
I loved this, kudos to those who add greenery that soothes the senses. I just had to click, this would look very grand with the lights accentuating on those bamboo cases/ pots am sure.
Value for money...I did expect much more on the spread. It was alright! I did return home and cooked a meal with the thought that my family would be hungry soon.
Valet Parking is available.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MRz9g7yfvI (Click that happy link)
On that note-Happy Holidays!
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