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Rated: Average
Oct 01, 2007
Out of Place
After the last week's disaster at The Indian Affair I had to make it up to my wife and there we went gain...
South Indies...Had heard mixed reviews on this place and decided to check it out for myself what this place is all about...
First impressions...Nice place but so are a hundred others with nice decor, ambience etc. The problem I perceive is a designer who has no idea of context...if you are an upmarket restaurant serving South Indian food ....where is the decor...nothing to stand out...The decor and ambience are nice but do not stand out. The only concession is the Mallige hu male (String of jasmine) sported by all the women working there...and kept at the entrance for any enterprising customers to wear. The other staff were dressed in standard suit etc....again the context...
The ordering process was smooth with the stewards sporting blackberry like devices to take orders which wirelessly communicated to the kitchen etc...The starters and soups arrived and very nice without being exceptional.
The same with the main course.
Another thing i noticed was the amount of chaos and confusion that seemed to prevail among the staff...maybe a function of a sunday dinner crowd ...but still unsettling. In truly good restaurants this is one element that is handled very well and the whole process goes unnoticed...the waiting staff has to be there but never noticed is my philosophy for a good restaurant.
The other weakness is that the tables are so close by it is disconcerting to over hear the conversation from the other table...but with us indians being loud and gregarious it would mean 2 tables to a restaurant if you want that kind of peace.
The other weakness is the lack of wine/beer. Apparently they are waiting for a bar licence...
My advice to the team of South Indies if they are listening:
1. Reduce the number of tables...I think a max of 100 covers against the 145 currently.It gives some much needed space.
2. Expand the menu...I am sure the menu is carefully researched etc etc...but a lot of the things on the menu are available in many places at less than half the prices
3. The decor needs to be more authentic and contextual...do not fall into the trap of going by the lowest common denominator...you would be another restaurant without standing out
4. Wines atleast would be a must...would definitely add to the already substantial APC :-)
5. Open in Delhi, Chandigarh...and I feel you would be far more appreciated
And I have to say the food was authentic...and a request
PLEASE STAY AUTHENTIC
I read in a foodie column that there are interesting battles in South Indies team on whether to stay authentic or dilute to please the masses....
