Black Orchid Restobar — Restaurant in Tamil Nadu

Black Orchid Restaurant - uniquely fine and rare. Fine food, rare and unusual drink combinations, mood lifting music and impeccable service in a striking elegant atmosphere.

When Chef Fabian decided to slice up the most prime cut of beef to create what turned out to be the star of my evening, I know my trust and faith is well placed and I know this place ought to hold more exciting surprises as my dining experience at the Black Orchid unfolds! I wasn't disappointed for a second...from the minute we were greeted and seated by Srinath our waiter, at a shiny black marble top table with Chippendale style leatherette chairs, to the attentive service all through our meal, Black Orchid truly delivered what their ambiance promises - an upmarket modern dining space with superlative cuisine and impeccable service at reasonable prices....near the heart of the posh Boat-club area's Chamiers rd. How nice to have a neighborhood restaurant that's not a mom and pop diner but a truly world-class, star quality restaurant where one can dress up, be seen and experience an elegant relaxed atmosphere, I thought. I turned around to see some known faces, all enjoying the night in the art-deco and neo world settling of black and dull gold and I sink into my cozy chair...to browse the menu.

Handpicked by Fabian and the owner Sanjeev Varma, keeping in mind the setting and the palette of a well-traveled clientele, it had a spectacular array of starters and entrees and more in Indian, Asian and Continental styles...we left it to their AGM Linden Yu to suggest and were delighted with all that was served to us. First, on neat rectangular slate slabs, came the Mango sushi and the Tapioca Croquettes with Chipotle ..both played with my taste buds with delicate and contrasting flavors of mango with wasabi and vegetables and Chipotle with the earthy Tapioca. Next was the highlight of my evening...the Beef Teriyaki, deftly stir-fried with sesame seeds - so authentic, succulent and flavorful! Chef explained that he won't compromise on the quality of the ingredients for his dishes...if it take a Chateaubriand steak to be carved up to create and render the meat succulent, juicy and delicate yet robustly flavorful.....so be it. I instantly shook his hands...here is a chef who respected the nature of his produce and yet elevated them to be truly divine! Sigh...I could not wait for more....but after the teriyaki was devoured....I had room just for dessert. Lemon meringue cake and a tart orange sauce with the most decadent moist chocolate cake I ever tasted.... pushed me over to heavenly bliss!

I left feeling satiated, pampered and happy - delectable food served in plush neat setting and backed by truly attentive service sets Black Orchid apart from any other restobar I have visited in Chennai. Now, I can't wait to go back and try more of the authentic Lucknow food...Galaoti kebab and bhuna ghost I hope! But, before that...I hear their bar opens next week! If the mocktails and the awesome music is a trailer for things to come.....I can't...

Visited this place last year and since then have been going here at least once or twice a month. Why ? Because this place suits for all kind of meet ups. You want to have a boy's night out, this place is good. You want to go out with family and friends for dinner, this place is perfect. You want to go out for lunch with kids, this place suits for that as well. They have valet parking and on the main road so easy to spot. The ambience is nice and as name suggests, it is little dark. They have seating in basement if you have come with a big gang family and friends. Ground floor is perfect for family and kids and 1st floor is for people who like to smoke and kids are not allowed. In short a perfect place for all occasions.

The menu is simple and elaborate. You have Japanese, South Asian, Indian and continental. The best part is you get to see the Chef's making Sushi and other dishes live. Another advantage of this place is the people who work here. You want to customize a dish, they are ready and give us all possible options. Same with cocktails. You tell them how you like your drinks to be and it comes exactly the way you wanted. Their veg and non veg both have varities and tastes very good. I am a non vegetarian and others in my family are vegetarian so yet another reason to visit Black Orchid. Their mutton chukka, stir fried beef, satay, paneer dishes, lotus stem and cauliflower flower starters are simply superb. Even main course has good options and the portion served is more than any resto bar. Main course comes a whole meal where they serve paratha or rice along with your choice of protein. Taste is bang on. Never ate anything so far that didn't taste good.

Music is perfect not very loud that you have to scream to talk to the person sitting next to you. The choice of songs are nice and mix of latest songs and old chartbusters of Bryan Adams and Backstreet boys.

Apart from all this, the kind of service you get is impressive. I have not seen the staff getting irritated or showing faces in spite of asking multiple customisation in the food. Srinath has taken care of our table few times now. Easy to communicate, always willing to help and ensures all of us are enjoying the food. Feels like he understands us now so nice that before even we ask for water or repeat the drink or tissue, he is right there proactively to check if you need anything. Srinath is always my go to person. I just have to tell him what I feel like drinking or what my daughter likes to eat and it gets served as you had imagined. I stopped seeing the menu also. Not only Srinath, the person in-charge Xavier and the people in valet all are extremely professional and top notch service.

I strongly...

Black Orchid merges creative cocktails, vibrant dishes, and an opulent ambience, creating an immersive and satisfying experience. From expertly crafted sushi to unique vegetarian options and inspired fusion mains, there’s something on the menu for every palate. The interiors embrace a sophisticated black-and-gold theme that radiates elegance and refinement. The restaurant spans two floors, with the lower floor welcoming families in a relaxed setting. At the same time, the upper level offers a more intimate vibe, ideal for those who appreciate fine spirits and gourmet cuisine. I visited to try their refreshed menu, though it’s clear that the regulars have a soft spot for their established offerings. I began with “Pandus,” a cocktail featuring pandan-infused gin, which brought refreshing, aromatic notes and quickly became a favourite. Next up was a mushroom, leek, and artichoke soup. Its creamy consistency was comforting, but the tangy artichoke slices brought the flavours an unexpected and delightful twist. Given Black Orchid’s reputation for sushi, I couldn’t pass up the Black Orchid Shiitake Maki (vegetarian) and the Crazy Maki with salmon and tuna. Both rolls were perfectly adapted for the local palate, and it was easy to see why they’re crowd-pleasers. The small plates were as varied as they were flavorful, from the tangy sundried tomato paneer satay to the tender Tsukune (Japanese chicken meatball skewers) and the bold soft-shell crab in Trappey’s garlic sauce—though a touch softer crab texture would have enhanced the experience. For the main course, I ventured into a range of flavours. The Paneer Khurchan, served with pulao, naan, and a classic Indian salad, offered comforting Indian flavours, while the signature curd rice with chicken roast provided a perfect blend of spice and balance. However, the Moroccan Spice Marinated Fish stole the show, with its harmonious combination of spices, tender veggies, and smooth mashed potatoes. To finish, I savoured the Black Orchid Belgian chocolate mousse with vanilla brûlée, complemented by a warm saffron sauce. It was a masterful finale, a delicate and indulgent balance of flavours that left me satisfied. In all, Black Orchid is a go-to for an experience where quality cocktails, thoughtfully curated dishes, and an elegant ambience come...