The Verandah — Restaurant in Tamil Nadu

It felt like an 'expectation vs reality' experience. When you go to the Taj, you expect that it will be good, not decent. That was precisely the issue. I ate the bakery goods and a few idlis. Disappointing, indeed. The crossaint had barely risen while the idlis weren't sufficiently soft. However, that was not the worst item served. It was their filter coffee. They attempted to mimic the traditional Tamil concept of drinking filter coffee using a tumbler. Unfortunately, the choice of metal was unwise as the simplest touch burnt my fingers. That was not all though. The coffee had also been burnt slightly, definitely not something you would expect in the Taj Connemara. You might believe that food is not the greatest expectation you would have at a restaurant in a hotel. How about the atmosphere? The service? I must admit, with much disappointment, that it was just like the food, decent. While I must acknowledge the fact that a waiter did attempt to address our needs, the time they took to serve our coffee was very long. It was fine though since I went there to spend some time with friends. What was not fine was their music. You might term me a music critic for my subsequent statements but I cannot shy away from expressing my opinion. After all, as I have mentioned before, I am a great admirer of music. There was a violinist wearing a veshti (the traditional attire in Chennai) playing carnatic music. I admire their attempt to provide a cultural experience and the attire certainly helped. What didn't was the music. As a person who is not proficient in a violin, even I could identify the number of times he played off-key. The choice of music he chose to play was also not meant for a solo violinist. To quote some examples, he played Paluke Bangaramayena and the varnam Vasantha. These music pieces are meant for a vocalist, not a solo violinist. Playing these pieces made his music sound like a form of background music you have at restaurants to improve their ambience. Certainly that was its purpose. However, his music just wasn't good enough. When I heard his music, the first question that came to my mind was, "why hire an actual violinist when they can provide better quality music through speakers to create the same ambience? " If it served the purpose of creating the presence of an actual violinist, it wasn't effective. Why, if you may ask? Because of two reasons. The first, was his music which I have covered in great detail already. The second was the amount of attention customers paid to him. His bored face revealed it all. And if you might argue that there was a person like me, I am but one of those few people who is a keen admirer of music, classical music. As such, I found this concept highly ineffective. I really do like the theme they were trying to portray at the Verandah. However, it could have been executed much better. I would have rated it well if it was just one of those restaurants but this is within the Taj, a hotel I hold great appreciation of and many others do too. With that expectation in mind, I was disappointed with my experience because I know and you know that Taj Connemara can do...

I recently had a rather unpleasant experience at Taj Connemara on January 18th, 2024. It was supposed to be a special day – we were celebrating my mother's birthday with a family lunch, just the three of us: my mom, my younger brother, and me. We dressed smartly but not overly so, aiming for a balance between casual and presentable.

From the moment we arrived, the staff's behavior was off-putting. It felt like the waiter had judged us based on our appearance, assuming we were out of place. This was evident in his reaction when we ordered a full meal – soups, appetizers, main courses, bread, rice, and desserts. It seemed to surprise him that we could afford such a spread.

Throughout our meal, we felt uncomfortably scrutinized. Waiters frequently checked on us, almost urging us to finish quickly or suggesting we couldn't afford more. The most disheartening moment came when we asked for the dessert menu. The waiter pointed out the prices, as if to warn us, and even suggested leftover items from a buffet that had ended. It was demeaning.

Their behavior escalated when they questioned if we were using a coupon or voucher – a clear indication of their assumptions about our financial status. Despite these uncomfortable interactions, our final bill came to 8000 INR for three people, a sum that contradicts their assumptions.

As an entrepreneur with a successful business, I certainly don't need to justify my financial standing, but this experience has left me questioning the training and hospitality ethos at Taj Connemara. It's a stark reminder that appearances can be misleading, and it's wrong to make assumptions about someone's financial status based on their looks. This lunch was meant to be a joyful family gathering, but the staff's behavior completely dampened the spirit of our...

5/5 Stars: A Royal Dining Experience at Verendah

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Verendah, the renowned restaurant at the majestic Taj Connemara. This gem of a restaurant truly exceeded my expectations, serving up scrumptious Indian and multi-cuisine dishes that delighted my entire family.

What truly made our experience stand out, however, was the exceptional service provided by three gentlemen who deserve special mention: Mr. Kurian, Mr. Dass, and Mr. Perumal. Their attentiveness and care towards my aged parents were truly heartwarming, ensuring that they felt comfortable and well looked after throughout the meal.

But what really stole the show was the way they won over my 8-year-old daughter's heart! She's notoriously finicky, but Mr. Kurian, Mr. Dass, and Mr. Perumal went above and beyond to make her feel special, and she absolutely loved the attention. In fact, she's now adamant that she doesn't want to eat anywhere else during our holidays!

The combination of delicious food, elegant ambiance, and outstanding service makes Verendah a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a memorable dining experience. We can't wait to come back and enjoy another meal at this fantastic restaurant.

Special mentions:

Mr. Kurian, Mr. Dass, and Mr. Perumal for their exceptional service and kindness towards my family. The Verendah team for their attention to detail and commitment to providing an exceptional dining experience.

Recommended for:

Families with young children Seniors or those with mobility issues (due to attentive service) Anyone looking for a delicious and memorable dining experience

We look forward to...