Chennai Food Guide

on 14 Nov, 2012

Nagarajan Natarajan

Have been looking at the voucher everyday since I got it but never found time until today to visit Kipling. Nobody needs a lecture about their ambiance. Its like sitting in Goa by the beach. The outdoorsy setup has been done tastefully yet simple and attractive. I have been here few years back for a late dinner and its just too romantic not to romance even if it was with a dude friend :) Kipling Masala had couple of tables filled but when I went to lunch today at around 2pm but the cafe side was totally empty. Order the soup of the day. It was pumpkin and ginger clear soup. Tasted amazing. The stock's flavours were all over the place. I tried to slowly taste so I can guess a few ingredients in it but coudnt. It was yummy. Even the pieces of pumpkin tasted like it should, mild and juicy. I came here with low expectations but this was good. Next I had ordered a grilled tenderloan steak with pepper jus. It was well plated with mashed potato,carrot,mushroom and zuuchini. There were two pieces of steak and I was cutting it like butter as I asked them to do it well done. I put a small piece of this steak without the pepper jus in my tounge to see how much I salivate. Within 30 seconds that piece in my mouth was immersed in salivating juice. This I do with most continetal styled meats to find the moisture in the meat. The drier the meat, the less saliva you secrete. (atleast for me). Though this is not really the orginal tenderloin steaks you get in the west, this was very well cooked with the right flavor of pepper jus. I could taste the olive oil very clearly. Halfway through the meal the pepper jus was getting over and I need just a bit more to complete the meal. Also I did not want to wait so when I spotted olive oil on the table, I just asked for some crushed peppercorns. Once I got that, I put the pepper on the side and mixed well with olive oil. I know its not exactly pepper jus but this gave me a spice kick in the steak. Did not have desert as I had to get back to work real fast. The service was the only letdown. There was one waiter and he did not smile and his body language did not show any politeness. His attitude made me cringe as I was having a meal on the house(no thanks zomato)and I really wanted to throw the money in his face and get the voucher back so I can return it back to Zomato. I held back as I told myself not to expect Maharaja service everywhere I go and I am not some VVIP (Just to convince myself). Overall I think Kipling has improved their food but still their staff lack hospitality like many have complained in the past.

on 25 Nov, 2013
Swarna V Barath
Amazingly divine ambiance! Romance it is written all over! Extremely expensive! PERIOD!
on 14 Nov, 2012
Nagarajan Natarajan
Have been looking at the voucher everyday since I got it but never found time until today to visit Kipling. Nobody needs a lecture about their ambiance. Its like sitting in Goa by the beach. The outdoorsy setup has been done tastefully yet simple and attractive. I have been here few years back for a late dinner and its just too romantic not to romance even if it was with a dude friend :) Kipling Masala had couple of tables filled but when I went to lunch today at around 2pm but the cafe side was totally empty. Order the soup of the day. It was pumpkin and ginger clear soup. Tasted amazing. The stock's flavours were all over the place. I tried to slowly taste so I can guess a few ingredients in it but coudnt. It was yummy. Even the pieces of pumpkin tasted like it should, mild and juicy. I came here with low expectations but this was good. Next I had ordered a grilled tenderloan steak with pepper jus. It was well plated with mashed potato,carrot,mushroom and zuuchini. There were two pieces of steak and I was cutting it like butter as I asked them to do it well done. I put a small piece of this steak without the pepper jus in my tounge to see how much I salivate. Within 30 seconds that piece in my mouth was immersed in salivating juice. This I do with most continetal styled meats to find the moisture in the meat. The drier the meat, the less saliva you secrete. (atleast for me). Though this is not really the orginal tenderloin steaks you get in the west, this was very well cooked with the right flavor of pepper jus. I could taste the olive oil very clearly. Halfway through the meal the pepper jus was getting over and I need just a bit more to complete the meal. Also I did not want to wait so when I spotted olive oil on the table, I just asked for some crushed peppercorns. Once I got that, I put the pepper on the side and mixed well with olive oil. I know its not exactly pepper jus but this gave me a spice kick in the steak. Did not have desert as I had to get back to work real fast. The service was the only letdown. There was one waiter and he did not smile and his body language did not show any politeness. His attitude made me cringe as I was having a meal on the house(no thanks zomato)and I really wanted to throw the money in his face and get the voucher back so I can return it back to Zomato. I held back as I told myself not to expect Maharaja service everywhere I go and I am not some VVIP (Just to convince myself). Overall I think Kipling has improved their food but still their staff lack hospitality like many have complained in the past.

Kipling Cafe