burrp! Stats
- 6 Reviews
- 1 First to review
- Been to 6 Places
- Burrping since Jun 22, 2008
Reviews by amritha
Oct 23, 2008
Deccan Plaza, No 36, Royapettah, Chennai
Good
The real good italian
I always turn away invitations to "vegetarian" joints unless its good old south indian restaurants but was dragged into Osteria. It was worth the wrist twist, with a menu that screams " great food" The service was friendly and the ambience great. I would just go back for the complimentary soft as heaven garlic bread. The lasagna was a little too tomatoey for my taste but was amply compensated but the superb Ravioli in lemon butter sauce. The starters were also great, the soup (mushroom) though fresh was a little too rich and bland. But overall it is a 100 times better than the so called italian joints in the city that give you tasteless processed cheese filled sawdust pasta. And to balance out the absence of non veg goodies is a great wine and cocktail list.
Sep 04, 2008
60&61, Anna i Towers, Ellaiamman Koil Street, Vannanthurai, Adyar, Chennai
Good
Yummy lee
I stumbled upon this restaurant hidden away in a mass of shops in a complex in Vannanthurai. The outside looked like a typical chinese restaurant in India and since i was in the mood for some stir fry, decided to give it a chance and loved it!
The quantities are humungous and the taste is great. Starting with chicken and prawn momos which were good with a dip that had me dreaming. It was spicy and savoury and perfect for the slightly bland dumplings. I would go back just for that sauce. The soups are chock a block with vegetables and chicken or prawns or whatever you ordered, so by the time soup and starters were over i was full. My table mates though disagreed and ordered the main course. The service I must mention was good.
The fried rice was the same as in any other chinese joint in chennai, but the noodles were good. The chilli chicken was average but the shredded crispy lamb was superb!
Perfect weekend hogging!
Sep 04, 2008
E-28 A Ramaniam Arcade 3rd Floor, 16th Cross Street 2nd Avenue, Near Spencer Daily, Besant Nagar, Chennai
Average
Cascade of food
A pretty old place compared to the chinese places opening around every corner, Cascade has its own signature style. Great quantities of unfussy straight indochinese food. The momos are good and the soups are great. It has an air conditioned area as well as a covered rooftop area with a kids play corner. So if you want some normal chinese food, no surprises or show off, then cascade is the place to be.
Sep 04, 2008
No T-54 B 1St Floor, Elliots Beach Road, Besant Nagar, Chennai
Poor
mashed out
I had been to this place when it first opened and thought it was decent, not great but ok to grab a bite when on the beach.So when asked about a decent place for a sandwich i recommended this and regretted it immediately. First came the sticky tables which I had to wipe myself, if I were to keep any part of my anatomy on it. Then came the indescribably long time for the food to come, which would have been fine if they had taken their time to cook it well. But I was disappointed. The fish in the fish n chips was stale (and we were near the sea) The james bonda was loaded with oil. The aachi stroganoff, a dish which could be infinitely great was a insipid chicken gravy with no character, flavor or taste whatsoever. The drinks were ok, but then when your taste buds have been assaulted with mediocre food, you tend to be thankful for small blessings like a cold drink.
The sandwich was OK, dry but edible and then I realised this was just a place if you smoked, needed a place to hold hands with your girlfriend or just heap on tall stories to unsuspecting people around you (which was what the people in the surrounding tables were doing) in which case you dont care about whats going down your gullet.
Jun 22, 2008
4, Sree Krishna Enclave, Water Land Drive, Kottivakkam, East Coast Road, Chennai
Good
Dog Friendly and Italian to boot!
I am a little biased towards Bella Ciao as it is one of the very very few places in Chennai where I can take my puppy. They also have dogs which again makes me biased in their favour. The place is beautiful, open air tables with mellow lighting and a play area for the kids (or dogs) and a cute little tree house. There are a few cement seating tables and benches under thatch huts and few normal tables. There is an old but cute watchman at the door who will greet you exuberantly.
The service is nice, but sometimes a little too slow. The live music bands are more entertainment of the funny kind rather than the musical kind, but the past few times I have been there, there was not trace of a band.
Now coming to the drinks, there are the usual mocktails and juices and coffee (they make a mean espresso). On and off they serve wine too. Now when you ask them what wine their snooty answer would be french, for those who dont know about wine and are willing to pay 1500 bucks for it, the label does say made in france. But there is a catch, it is table wine (the lowest grade of french wine which is not even allowed to be called wine.) But its french and since my puppy is allowed to terrorize a few waiters, i dont make too much of a fuss.
Coming to the main criteria, the food, its italian and most of the dishes are great and kinda authentic. Stick to the ones that are good and you will have a great meal, worth every penny. My choices are the batter fried calamari, the soups are good and the pizza is the best in Chennai, No doubt!
The grilled chops are also very good and so is the lasagna. Be vary of some pasta's, they can be too bland but the gnocchi and ravioli are good. So is the pesto.
Overall a great place to slowly eat and chatter away.
PS: They are closed on Tuesdays.