Chronicles of Whitefield at Vivanta by taj,Chennai

Vivanta by Taj is celebrating the Madras Week and  they have got executive chef Arzooman Irani from Viavanta by Taj-Whitefield Bangalore.Chef explained us the history behind whitefield and its residents and thier cuisine.The Ango-Indian cuisine was a lot inspired by Indian cuisine.They use a lot of spices to make the dishes flavourful and not spicy.Chef has got a family recipe book handwritten by Harry Blake, one of the original settlers of Whitefield. The notebook was given to him  by his granddaughter.Chef has created the menu with recipes from this book.

They have launched a unique menu of ‘Colonial Hangover’ cocktails – a blend of European spirits and Indian spices.I had the non alcoholic version of Ginger wine,it was just splendid.The sweet and gingery ting blended well together.

 They have come up with unique names like Earl of Raj(earl grey tea, Gin , cinnamon, cardamom, sugar syrup, lime juice and bay leaf),Herbal MaryVodka with parsley, celery, ginger, tobacco sauce, Worchester sauce, tomato juice, Lime juice),Madragas Lemongrass ( Vodka with lemon, lemongrass and pineapple and Sauvignon Blanc), and Good ol Colonel (Whiskey, sesame seeds, honey, fresh pineapple, lemon juice and pineapple juice as well). Colonel Syllabub- sweet white wine, cream, sugar syrup, egg white,lime juice and cardamom.The non alcoholic versions were as goos the alcoholic version.I had the earl of raj(non alcholic version) and it was pretty amazing,the bay leaf added a unique flavour to the drink.

Earl of Raj

The dinner took off with a mulligatawny soup - a broth made with lentils and pepper.A fruity twist is given  to the soup by adding finely cut apples.It had a nice texture and was full of flavours.

 Fried masala prawns as the name suggests were slightly spicy and were tender and superbly cooked.

Mutton ball

Harry's fish curry

Country captain chicken curry 

 For the main course, there were a lot of rice varieties - coconut, tomato, cabbage - along with vegetable stew, mutton ball curry, country captain chicken curry and Blake’s signature dish - Harry’s fish curry.My favourite were the mutton ball and country chicken curry,full of flavours and not spicy.The fish curry was good too with a mustard base.

For desserts we had sooji pudding with  cardamom, coconut pudding and kulkuls.Coconut pudding was the star of the show and was loved by all.
A meal for two, without alcohol, would cost around Rs. 3,500 including taxes.
The  Chronicles of Whitefield” Anglo-Indian food festival is on from Aug22-31 at The Verandah restaurant(Vivanta by Taj-Connemara Chennai located on the Binny Road )