Comfort can take on different avatars. For me, it usually comes in the form of delish food. So, on a particularly harrowing afternoon, the sight of lush hummus, garnished with the Mediterranean goodness of olive oil, biryani ensconcing some of the most melt-in-the-mouth meat, and a platter full of the most luxuriant kebabs put me at ease almost immediately. And it is at the 4 Seasons restaurant in Anna Nagar that I find this unlikely solace, in the company of some truly fiery fare!
The ambience at 4 Seasons restaurant in Anna Nagar, I warn, is blah. One would imagine a menu filled with such choice Mediterranean fare would inspire a distinctive decor, but no, you will have to make do with a very run-of-the-mill ambiance. But then once the food comes, that’s going to be the last thing on your mind. The Arabic mixed grilled platter, featuring favorites like the Nawabi chicken kebab and garlic fish is impressive, but it is the sauteed prawn, batter-fried and fresh, that has you going for seconds and thirds and fourths. The grilled mutton is likely to get you drooling too, thanks to its dry wit and spicy undertones. From the mezzah platter, one mustn’t ignore the lovely hummus, which goes wonderfully with an array of breads, or the farm-fresh tabouleh (parsley and tomato bits mixed with lemon juice) that is health in a bowl. The Apollo fish and paneer tikka, much recommended by the waiter, sink without a trace.
For main course, you’ve got to go the biryani way at 4 Seasons restaurant in Anna Nagar ! The hallowed dum briyani brings with it a subtle essence of saffron (imported from Turkey) which opens up the realms of meditative gluttony to you, even as the perfectly flavored mutton pieces melt in your mouth seductively, keeping you rooted to corporeal reality. The khabsa laham, Arabic rice with chunks of mutton, is alright too. For dessert, if you really must, try the umm ali or qubani ka meetha.
A good two hours later, I’ve had all the comfort I need to keep me going for a sizeable chunk of time, and I am already singing songs of the Season!
4 Seasons restaurant in Chennai is at 2nd Floor, 2nd Avenue, Anna Nagar, Phone: 26264441, 9600144441
Landmark: Next to Nalli Silks and Above Bharat Scans