The 100-course menu features a diverse mix of dishes such as Spanakopita, Thai Curry, etc. Muttai 65 more Avakkai Urulai
The taproom spans two floors and 17,000 square feet. Photo Credit: Thamodharan B
Berry Cheesecake | Photo Credit: Thamodharan B
For the past month and a half, the lattice-work façade on Monteith Road has been a topic of interest. Morning walkers, passersby, residents of the area, have ventured inside to find out what this huge space hides. This is Madras Taproom, a new addition to the growing list of resto bars in Chennai.
Started by Vinod MV, this taproom is spread across two floors and 17,000 square feet. As you enter inside, a cafe greets you. It is open all day and accepts all age groups. The place then transforms into a lounge setting that has a bar, couches, a DJ console and a life-size floor-to-ceiling beer barrel with a tap and Madras Taproom written on it. A door leads to the patio, where smokers can dine without facing the dangers of non-smokers. There is also an alfresco area called Sky Deck on the first floor and an indoor seating area. The resto bar has several private dining room options.
The courtyard | Photo credit: Thamodharan B
Vinod says, “Our idea is to bring the vibe of Bengaluru to Chennai and make it a place where people can visit on a regular basis rather than just on weekends. Apart from beer, we will also have cocktails available.” Consultant Chef Kaushik Shankar says, “We wanted a place where you can meet, eat, socialise with friends and have great food without worrying about the price.” He adds that prices start from Rs 99.
The menu features 100 dishes, 45 drinks and five desserts. It’s a diverse mix of dishes – from spanakopita with sour cream and parsley oil, Kung Pao chicken and salt and pepper zucchini to very local flavours like batter fried Muttai 65 more Avakkai Urulai. Avakkai Urulai It is delicious with a spicy flavour. The potatoes are smoked and cooked with avkka. Since there are small plates here, we overindulge ourselves and order multiple starters. We start with the 80s style cheese, cherry, pineapple to bring back some nostalgia. Our other favourites are Kundapur Ghee Roast Mushroom, seasoned with byadagi chillies, coriander, and cooked in organic ghee from the farm; Beef Ularthiyaduand roasted chilli pork. Meanwhile it would be nice for the lotus stem if it shed its overly sweet nature. Despite the herbs, onion, parsley, micro greens, garlic and olive oil, the Spanish mushrooms lack flavour.
Chef Kaushik says almost every dish on the menu has a story of its own. For instance, he says the wings come in six varieties, each one a degree spicier than the other. These are ranked from one to six, with the latter having a namevanda azhudiruven,A dialogue from Vadivelu follows. “We use Bhoot Jhalokia for number four, so you can imagine how spicy number six will be,” he says, adding, “Many people won’t be able to handle it. I finished one piece and then I had to drink half a litre of milk.”
| Photo credit: Thamodharan B
This idea is what brings us to Karonda Colada, a mocktail dessert made with coconut milk, pineapple and berries. Equally refreshing is Satisfaction, a delightful red drink made with watermelon juice, basil leaves, celery, rock salt and sparkling water.
Our main dish comes in the form of a chunky burger filled with beef patty, caramelised onions and cheese, which we love. The delicious red Thai curry made with galangal and kaffir lime is also a winner. “We start by cooking the chicken thigh in the curry, rather than adding it in at the end, and this gives it a nice umami flavour,” explains Chef Kaushik.
Chocolate wall | Photo credit: Thamodharan B
“Are you ready for dessert?” he asks then with a sparkle in his eyes. Out comes the Wall of Chocolate, a 450-gram piece of cake. It’s about seven inches across and has eight layers of chocolate – white, milk and dark – and ganache, soaked in espresso to balance the sweetness. “The idea behind this dessert was to see how much of it one could eat in one session,” laughs the chef. Now, if that’s a challenge you’re ready to accept, you know where to go.
The Madras Taproom is located at 37, Red Cross Road (Montieth Road), Egmore. A meal for two, including alcohol, costs ₹2,000.
| Photo credit: Thamodharan B
