The Dining Hall — Restaurant in Tamil Nadu

Hiya!🙋🏻Lets Begin!We hv chosen to stay at a property which is 187years old. Some hv just gone under complete renovation. Ambience:The newly furnished & renovated restaurant is done in dark walnut colur.The wood is nilgiri.The artisocratic seating with the complete look. Chef:Chef arun the exective chef under his mantle has a wonderful esteemed team of chefs.Chef nathan does the breakfast service with wonderful delicaies. Staff:The officating general manager saneej who has come in here as a breath of fresh air. Under the helm of f&b manager mr.omprakash,he has a wonderful team of staff at service. During our stay we savoured in breakfast & dinners.This review comprises of the same. Kerala Thali;This thali can be savoured on request as it isnt part of the menu. Food:Tomato Rasam:This is made with a thin broth of vegetable stock with finely chopped tomatoes.The pepper hits u at the back of the throat & cumin clears ur nasils & coriander gives the depth. Sambharan:A refreshing yogurt drink which is mildly tangy just how i like it flavoured with shallots,ginger & tempering of curry leaves.A must to drink,drink! Pachakari Mango Curry:This is our fav.This is made with raw mango flavoured with 1st extract of coconut milk. Thakkali Murugukka Curry:Its hard to explain. This has a variety of spices and drumstick being the primary vegetable & hint of drumstick leaves bThe flavours tht weave into it & other are grated coconut,cumin,fennel & dry redchilli!Party! BeetrootPachadi:This has beaten curd & beet with shallots & ginger. VazhapouThoran:This is a very seasonal dish at ooty but very common at kerala.This is super-food for women.These r banana flowers.This has shallots,greenchilli,garlic Avial:A mixed country vegetable seasonal ofcourse.It has thick extract of coconut milk,curd,cumin,ginger,shallots. VegStew:This bcmes also a global dish relished by all.Coconut milk 1st extract & whole lot of whole spices!Comforting! Paneer Pollichadhu:This is our veg delight to savour the goodness. The tomatoes,shallots & kokam r used too wrap the cottage cheese in the above and steamed!I cud eat this weekly. PineapplePayasam:This is fruit flavour.This has fruit base,coconut milk,jaggery,cardomon. Kerala paratha:This is layered & flaky flat bread. RedRice:Knwn as matta rice.Its parboiled red rice.Chunky! Asian:This was one of those dinners which stays etched in ur memory.They set up a romantic table in the lawns too SpinachGarlicFriedRice: This had a hint of spinach with garlic just being a hint. Stirfry aubergine in garlic sauce.50% love aubergine,50% dont,so this is a shout-out for the non-lovers.So this has light/dark soy sauce,hint of sugar & hot garlic sauce the minced ginger adds the oomph. Hakka Noodles In Hot Garlic Sauce:This is basics.As we love maggi we love hakka.Its a typical prep with boiled noodles with ginger,garlic,vegetables in soya sauce,chilli sauce & asian spices. Conti:Pesto Grilled Cottage Cheese Steak Spinach:Meat neednt be ur source of protein.This has cottage cheese slab,boiled and cooked spinach shredded with dash of pepper.Pesto sauce adds the needed flavour & sundried tomatoes add depth. Parmeasean Zuchini Boats:These r packed with flavour.Low-carb italian inspired dish topped with cheese coated with bread crumbs.This has onion,garlic,redpepper just bit of part skim mozarella and sharpness of parmeasean Breakfasts:Uttapam with podi masala: Pesaratu:This is made with split green lentil.Pre-soaked.This dish hails from andhra pradesh.This has greenchilli,coriander,ginger in flavours.Light and healthy. Oats Upma:One of the healthiest dishes to start the day.This has carrot,greenpeas,beans,ginger.The fragant tempering of udad dal,chana dal. Ragi dosa:Crisp,healthy.Made with ragi flour,rice flour,added spices & this had cut greenchillies & fresh coriander neatly cut and put.Stellar! Price Factor:700+taxes for breakfast.1400+dinner. Should u visit?Do u like heritage?Do u like place with history?Do u like pleasent weather which is throughout the year!If u hv ticked yes on all the boxes,plan a trip...

Very slow service, while only 2 tables were occupied for lunch. We ordered ceasar salad and NV kabab platter Ceasar salad- way too much dressing, taste was fine, at least the chicken was fresh. Kabab platter (DISASTER) - Mutton seekh kabab was dry and tasteless, it was more like a lump of something, not mutton. Chicken tikka- it was maybe from the buffet from the night earlier, dry and felt stale. Fish tikka- absolutely tasteless and dry, it's supposed to be boneless but I got a bone. The only good part was the dal makhni, in a Kabab platter!

After raising the concern, they did prepare fresh and it was definitely better the next time.

Also, one of the innocent staff did nod yes when I asked if there was chicken tikka in their dinner buffet menu the previous night, the young chef tried to deflect it by saying it was other chicken tikka.

Posting the picture of the second batch which was...

This is a restaurant within the Taj Savoi in Ooty. It is within a heritage building that is as classic as it gets.

There is ample parking at the location!

The restaurant is actually called The Dining Room (not Hall) and it a very cosy and comfortable place. The staff are courteous and attend to you very well.

The food portions are quite filling! There is a wide choice of food available and is...