Margarita With A Straw & Kapila Dasa

 "Would you like to go for a movie with me?" I was asked.
I replied, "Why not and when?" and that's how our movie date was finalized!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margarita_With_A_Straw

The tickets were booked and we did get our couple seat. A film based on a very sensitive topic addressing the sexual desires of a young girl with cerebral palsy. It's not a WOW film or there is no WOW factor in the film but there is some fine acting and a few sensitive topics were addressed. Both the lead actresses, the mother and daughter duo did some superb emoting and acting and the sensitivity was shown seamlessly to the audience. It couldn't have been made in any other way.

We did have our popcorn with all the crazy add on that is typical of the theatres in Express Avenue. The movie spilled into a late afternoon and we were left with hungry tummies and an urge to sit our butts and chat. To talk about the film and about our families and our fathers!!!

I enjoyed the company. Did think about my husband on several occasions. It's usually the two of us catching a movie and always a late show followed by dinner in the food court. This was different and thoroughly enjoyed the company!

 My companion suggested this place as the food was tried and tested once and it didn't require any of those token thingies as seen in the food court right across. We found that quite convenient. It is a vegetarian restaurant. We were already immersed in our chatter...It's always about food in the beginning. We started with these Paneer fritters that was recommended by the waiter attending to us. We found it extremely tasty...Ok unhealthy I do admit but definitely yummy! (Rs. 200/-) It had a lovely cilantro/mint ? filling sandwiched between two cottage cheese layers dipped in those fritter batters made of besan/chickpeas flour, fried  and presented to us like so.

 Oh I just had to do this and it required a click. It was truly delicious!

 

 Having had an earlier experience at this place, my companion decided to try this dish as the last time only a bite off someone's order was what was devoured -Trust me it was a nice order and I did have a taste. Very healthy, steamed and made with the good stuff!!!
 ...accompanied by the good stuff as well!!! It is a wonderful combination and very earthy in appearance and taste.

 Kadabu with Ghee, mango pickle and Kairasa. I did come back and did my search-a typical dish from Karnataka, a south Indian state in India. I would love to recreate this beauty and I don't mind going through the whole nine yards to have an encore at my own home. It was a theatrical performance on its own.

 I was stupid to fall hook, line and sinker for the dish that followed this on the menu-Channa Battura...seriously I was stupid!!! Nothing to holler about...I wish I had made a healthier and better order.

It had been a while since I had a battura hence the urge got the better of me.

The restaurant is very spacious. I really can't tell how this place is on a busy afternoon or dinner time. Both of us turned up at an odd timing so we did get the needed attention from the waiters. Infact, they had to remind us that our dishes were ready... if only we had moved from our starters :) our discussions and chatter on various topics kept us in a trance.

It has an ambiance of a beach theme...I do not know why? No sea food served here so what was the connection? I am clueless. The entrance had a huge conch made of marble filled with flowers. The walls had shells, a huge mural of various fish. I forgot to click that! Then there were many quotes depicting stuff from the beach so if there was a negative I would say that was it because I couldn't relate the veggie food with the theme...some slip there unless it does mean something and has some connection!

We sat beside the huge windows (almost French window type) that face the chaos of the Whites Road, Royapettah, Anna Salai traffic with Zaitoon bang opposite the place where we were seated. There's nice afternoon lighting so that's a plus for food photographers. The light is in our favour.

We did have a filter coffee each. Value for Money (VFM) yes, we were content. The bill roughly came up to Rs. 325 per head. I would definitely go there again and would love to taste some more of their specialities.

https://www.zomato.com/chennai/kapila-dasa-royapettah