The count down begins – 12.12.12

LINK: http://know.burrp.com/drinks-and-nightlife/hyatt-regency-12-12-12-celebrations/47183

The Mayans may have predicted doom, but to foodies, it is just another reason to celebrate, thinks Sandhya Ramachandran as she joins the 12.12.12 countdown festival at Hyatt Regency, Chennai.

It has been celebration time at Hyatt Regency this December, with their Christmas Tree Lighting event drawing large crowds. Carol singing, wine and plenty of festivities began what is promising to be an exciting month that began with the 12.12.12 countdown event.

We will only know if the world will end on 12th Dec when we get to it. Why not enjoy life till then? This cheerful take on the Mayan Doomsday prediction was what led to the creation of the 12.12.12 countdown festival at 365 A.S. and Focaccia at Hyatt Regency, Chennai.

burrp! joins in the fun as Associate partners and Kingfisher spurs on the good times as beverage partners at this event that will span 12 days. With 12 kinds of beverages each spawning multiple versions and 12 kinds of tapas on the menu with different mood music for every day is bound to be a lot of fun. And this wower of a deal is on every day, leading up to the much-discussed twelfth night, at a mere price of Rs. 2012 plus taxes.

The balcony of 365 A.S., where the event is being hosted, has been set with large tables, ottomans and some cane chairs as seating. The DJ console in one corner constantly doles out music on the theme of the night and large blue lights make the trees around glow. The setting sets the mood for an extremely serene and comfortable evening. To add to this, the balcony of 365 A.S. is one of the breeziest places in the city! One cannot think of a better place to lounge and enjoy a drink!

It sure is going to be a problem of plenty with the variety of drinks the menu offers one to choose from! We suggest you open with the Teacher’s Whiskey Highland Cream. The 12-year-old brew is so rich, it makes for a great opening drink.  And while you savour the creaminess of the drink, decide on the other eleven that you’d want to follow up with! There are martinis, beer cocktails, sangria, white spirits, shooters and flaming cocktails among others to choose from and varieties under each of these categories to keep you on your toes.

At the same time, as the evening darkens to night, nibble on some warm marinated olives, lamb meatballs, artichokes, oysters, lamb croquettes or tortillas. Every day offers a spin on the menu, so you must go on all the days to justify the true-blue foodie that you are!

A tapas to go with every drink you choose, plan to land at 365 A.S. when the event opens at 6pm, and stay till it shuts at 12 midnight to soak in every minute of the year end fun.Price: Rs. 2012 per person + taxes

burrp! picks from Chef’s Table

LINK: http://know.burrp.com/b-buzz/chefs-table-chennai-burrp-picks/46393

Sandhya Ramachandran makes a list of the most exciting dishes on the six burrp! Chef’s Tables across Chennai.

As Chennai gears up for the exciting burrp! Chef’s Table across six of the best restaurants across the city, we decided to scan the menu to tell you what you should must must try!

 The Chef’s Table begins on 16th November at Focaccia at Hyatt Regency, known for its splendid Italian cuisine. With the affable Executive Chef Thomas Angerer at the helm of the table, the evening promises to be full of fun and of course, good food. The dish on the menu that sounds most enticing is the antipasto (‘before the meal’ or a starter, in layman terms) of warm carpaccio of prawns, candied lemon, watercress, chilli. Primarily a dish of raw slices/pounding of prawns, the dish already makes our mouths water! Another dish we are looking forward to is the layered baked dish – the seasonal vegetables millefuille, balsamic glaze, crispy artisan cheese.

Burrp! Chef’s Table No 2 is at Beyong Indus (Taj Club House) on 19th November. A dish called ‘Chops of the Third Kind’ has our attention locked down on this menu! The three flavours of lamb chops and vegetables are made in jalfraize style ( marinated lamb chops and vegetables vegetables are fried in oil and spices to produce a dry, thick sauce to form a type of  curry).

On 20th November, when the Chef’s Table moves to Benjarong, we urge you to try the famed National dish of Thailand – the Phad Thai Goong - Thai rice sticks cooked in a sweet and tangy sauce with prawns, wrapped in an omelette. Chat up with Chef Anand and Chef Ram Kumar and get to know yourHormok Talay from your Larb Gai(well, wait and discover what they are at the Chef’s Table).

Apart from the pastas on offer, what draws us towards the menu at Tuscana’s Chef’s Table on 21st November, is the Gastrin. An ancient version of the baklava from Crete, this dish is made with nuts, seeds, and pepper layered between filo pastry (thin sheets of dough). Also a must have on the menu is the Greek coffee – strong, unsweetened and a purist’s delight!

At Teppan, on 22nd November, feast on the Grilled Tofu in Hoisin sauce (a Chinese dipping sauce made from soybean, sweet potatoes and other flavourings) with scallion and roasted garlic. If you love your garlic, toss in some of the burnt garlic and mixed vegetable fried rice!

We bring the curtains to a close at the Chef’s Table on 23rd November at Hip-Asia, Taj Connemara. Make sure you don’t miss the Saka – mushi susumiyaki. Made by cooking fresh salmon and vegetables in an envelope on teppanyaki, this delicious dish comes served with pickled vegetables and teriyaki sauce. There is also a very interesting sounding dessert that we recommend here for you to finish off your meal in style – the green tea tiramisu.

But most of all remember, we have just picked out one dish from the menu. There are oh-so-many more. With each menu offering you between a three and five course meal, with all-new dishes exclusively conjured up for the Chef’s Table event, get set and gear up for a gastronomical adventure with the Chefs between 16^th and 23^rd November!