The Best of Restaurants I visited in 2014!

As usual, one more year - 2014, is done and gone. It was indeed one hell of a year, packed with smiles, contemplations, life decisions, dreams and more dreams :).. Above all, it was a year at a new place again, this time Chennai.

Chennai - a bustling place packed with wonderful people, mesmerizing beaches, and indigenous architectures, has been real good to me, with each day being a new experience. If truth be told, the most important thing that made my stay so far in Chennai worthwhile is - CHOW! The city is studded with restaurants that cater to different cuisines from around the world and also host amazing ambiances. Though I haven't yet visited the top-notch places, I did manage to go around a little and try out a bunch of good hangouts with lovely dishes.

Down below, I have listed one favorite of every different kind of place: cafe, pub, typical South-Indian spot, street food, great plates, ice-cream parlor, and whatnot. (The titles are linked to their Zomato pages)

1. Amethyst Cafe, Royapettah (An all-time favorite):

Not every resto can become your regular. There is an unwritten checklist that has to be satisfied: You need that first impression; You need to immediately feel that you should take your loved ones there soon; You need to feel at ease the whole time and finally, the food has to blend well with your senses and give you the perfect tummy. The day I walked into Amethyst, I knew I would be coming back to the place again and again and again. The main reason why: You do not find many places in Chennai that boast of green trees towering around you, making the place absolutely pleasant to dine. When dusk falls, the wild garden cafe is a heavenly sight to behold, with the lit lamp-posts adding even more sparkle to the ambiance and the majestic trees cooling off the air for you. And the food is amazing too! So, Amethyst Cafe is one place I would never ever regret suggesting to friends.

Dishes I loved: Red Bean Curry with Steamed Rice, Crumb Fried Fish with Tartar Sauce,  Mascarpone Baked Cheese (Also, do not forget to check out the Indian specials for the day)

2. Zara Tapas Bar, Gopalapuram:

Tapas is a Spanish term for snacks/appetizers that are served with a drink, mostly wine/beer. The first of its kind in Chennai, Zara is a great choice to spend an evening out with your buddies. They provide a wide range of cocktail concoctions coupled with mouth-watering grub. Then, there's always music livening up the spot and at times, they also host bands performing live. In all, Zara is an obvious option to either relax your senses down with a drink or have a crazy night out with your friends.

3. ID, Royapettah:

Okay, a movie at Satyam is never complete without Cheddar Cheese-seasoned Popcorn and dinner at ID. That's the sole reason why ID made the cut and became a top-favorite. Being a South Indian resto, you can find an extensive selection of Dosas, Idly's and other delicacies at ID. But, lately, service has become a drag at this place due to the huge crowds that throng the place post-shows.

4. Sandy's Chocolate Laboratory, Nungambakkam:

Have you heard of Death by Chocolate? If you have, well then, Sandy's chocolate mixtures would prove to be a perfect start to experience such savoring moments. I especially love their Breakfast All-day dishes, not to mention the delightful desserts they have to offer. They also have these really tiny cheesecakes that are amazing. In short, Sandy's is the best option to head out to on a lazy Sunday morning and pamper your appetite with a full-on scrumptious brunch. Prices are a bit on the higher side but they serve fulfilling portions to make up for that.

Zara Tapas Bar

Sandy's

Amadora

5. Amadora Gourmet Ice Cream & Sorbet, Nungambakkam:

A one-time visit and a small bite into one of their ice-cream flavors is more than enough to make you keep coming back to the place over time. I, in particular, was floored by the Five-Bean-Vanilla ice cream. Located in one of the prime areas of Chennai (Wallace Garden), it is essentially a home-come tiny parlor, tucked well away at the end of a lane. Aside from their ice-cream based cakes and other desserts, there are also a few spicy alternatives including Chicken. Come Sunday, you will find the place packed with gourmet ice-cream enthusiasts.

6. Fusilli Reasons, Kilpauk:

Fusilli Reasons is a street-eat in the locality of Kilpauk that is suddenly gaining popularity out of nowhere. The menu on offer is limited beyond imagination but so are the footfalls that the place gets - beyond imagination. During weekends, people swarm around the street to dig into the Pasta and Garlic Bread, washing it down with Tang or Iced Tea (Home-made). I just literally wrote out the whole of menu that's available in Fusilli Reasons. Amazing, ain't it??

7. Kannappa Thattu Idly Shop, Kilpauk:

If ever a list is made that is titled, 'Wonders of Chennai', I swear, this shop definitely deserves a slot. Once, when I visited the shop on a Saturday night, the way people constantly streamed in to get a bite here was unbelievable. The best part of it was the mix of crowds that came in, right from random walkers to families huddled inside their cars, gobbling up Idlys that are the size of plates (Hence, the name Thattu Idly). Apart from Idlys, their Dosas are also a treat to relish. Be warned that this is more like a Kaiyendhi Bhavan, i.e. no seating options. 

8. Kabab Corner, Greams Road:

The final stop on my list of favorites, Kabab Corner gets a mention for their lipsmackingly delicious meat-eats stuffed inside a hole-in-the-wall ambiance. You will most probably find some of the city's best Chicken dishes over here, especially the Chicken Tikka and Omelette. Moreover, the dishes come at great affordable prices, making the shop a real winner in terms of budget deals.

Food has always been and will always be the one thing that will neither go out of fashion nor practice. As long as there are restos serving incredible food, life will never run out of flavor and fervor. Cheers to all the foodies out there and may the exploratory journey continue!!