ITC Grand Chola’s Madras Pavilion is back after a makeover

On a rainy Tuesday night, I amazingly find myself successful queue, waiting to beryllium seated. We are astatine the caller improved Madras Pavilion astatine ITC Grand Chola. When this mammoth edifice opened its doors to the metropolis successful 2012, Madras Pavilion was the archetypal edifice that started receiving guests. According to the hotel’s research, astir 9 cardinal diners person dined present since. “Everyday we spot astatine slightest 13 occasions being celebrated here: birthdays, graduations, proposals, anniversaries...,” says Shaariq Akhtar, wide manager, ITC Grand Chola.

After 13 years, it was clip for a small shingle up. The renovation took 4 and a fractional months. Now, the ample reddish couches are gone, making mode for teal and yellowish seating, bubblegum pinkish wallpapers adhd a dash of colour (we deliberation it is simply a motion to the younger guests who dine here), and sleek caller chandeliers bent from the ceiling.

“The seating capableness has accrued to 190. The unrecorded room counters are bigger, allowing scope for much dishes. Initially, the edifice had 4 tiny hubs wherever nutrient was made. Guests often wouldn’t get to spot the full buffet spread,” says Shaariq. Now, the bustling unrecorded room is astatine the centre; overmuch similar a superstar being watched by their fans. There are 300-plus dishes for luncheon and dinner. Diners mill astir deciding what to devour — this, that, a spot of everything, perhaps?

“The paper has changed too. We’ve introduced modern Asian food. There are antithetic types of dumplings, atom cakes... Since it’s called Madras Pavilion, we proceed to item nutrient from this region, like thattu idli with prawn connected top,” helium says.There is besides what they similar to telephone fusion burgers. Picture this: crisp vazhapoo cutlet sandwiched betwixt brushed curry leafage buns, determination is adjacent chicken chukka masquerading arsenic a patty but packed with acold much robust flavours, and sannas burger. 

Despite the immense choices, Indian nutrient inactive continues to beryllium the astir popular. If you are wondering why, effort the saffron-rich, roseate water-infused gosht biryani, the food chickenhearted with Malabar parotta, oregon the vermillion reddish chickenhearted ghee roast that is tangy, spicy and tin jolt you retired of that mid time slump. Here, determination is simply a taxable everyday. Mondays are for tandoori, Tuesdays for biryani...

Among the caller introductions is elai saapad, thing the squad astatine the edifice is rather kicked about. After years of offering this astatine their banquets, they present privation to stock this acquisition with their diners. Since it takes a batch of effort to program and serve, Shaariq suggests booking a mates of days successful advance. The repast is laid retired connected a banana leafage and includes 20 dishes, with 3 menus to take from: vegetarian (₹3,000 positive taxes), non vegetarian (₹4,000 positive taxes), and seafood (₹5,000 positive taxes). “The flavours are accepted and rooted to the soil,” helium adds. It is served successful their backstage eating room, which is called MP 1639, an ode to Madras and the twelvemonth it was founded.

To instrumentality things up a notch, the edifice has introduced a caller beverage paper called Vera Level Unlocked. Each cocktail/mocktail — served successful bottles — features section ingredients which is the prima of the drink. There is Jamun Soda, Inji Kaapi, Cheeky Chikoo, Summer Roots, Teq-No Guava, Marina 63 and the team’s favourite and present ours: The Jasmine. It tastes similar summertime successful a solid and is refreshing with coconut milk, coconut water, and jasmine cordial made in-house.

The buffet is priced astatine ₹1,999 positive taxes. For details, telephone 2220 0000.