Located down the now two-way 13th Main Road in Anna Nagar, the three-week-old Urban Spatula is full of surprises. Elegantly done in pinewood finished wood and rustic ropes, the minimalistic style of the 56-seater restaurant is quickly done away with when the menu arrives at the table. A four-page tabloid, it’s pleasantly busy with an extraordinary array of dishes. It has appetisers like Five Spice Chicken Wings on the cover, even as the side columns boast of American burgers like The Mad Max, while the house speciality is of course ‘the legendary’ biryani.
There are more than 150 dishes on the menu — and that is just a fraction of the first page! Abrar Malik M Y, Director Operations, says helpfully, “We wanted to offer multi-cuisine options — so that when you’re in a group, everyone can order what they like.”
As I munch on a colourful veggie salad of yellow and green zucchini with garlic bread, I wonder how a single kitchen can handle such varied cuisines – from Continental, Pan Asian and North Indian fare to authentic Mughlai Muslim comfort food in their Bhaijaan ke Ghar Se section.
However, the crunchy samosas stuffed with lamb mince, a traditional Muslim cuisine offering,
followed by tender cubes of achari chicken tikka and the luscious batter-fried prawns, quickly take me along a delightful tangent — and I’m instead left wondering how the meat is so fresh and succulent.
Four square meals
Abrar, 33, an engineer-turned-restaurateur, explains that he has four different chefs heading the various cuisines. “So the flavours are unique and the quality is sustained.” The delicious Lazeez Kadai, a staple from Abrar’s home kitchen, is another testament to the excellent quality of the meat. The flattened slices of slow-cooked and delicately marinated tenderloin impress us with flavour and generous portions.
I chase down the starters with a tropical looking Paradise Beach from their mocktail bar — a mix of pineapple juice, orange juice and lime, before I tackle the mains. Abrar’s experience with running the QT Grills, a continental eatery, a few years ago, comes to the fore when we behold the classic cheese burger. The juicy tenderloin patty is medium done, mildly charred and perfectly seasoned — this one earns the ‘house speciality’ tag.
While I’m still gushing over the American staple, I’m ambushed with a sweetish Kabuli naan that when dipped in the thick, creamy Murgh Dhanya Hari Mirch Ka Kurma has my palate pleasantly distracted. After which the Veg Ala Kiev did try to valiantly to hold my attention — however when portions of freshly tossed chilli garlic noodles with Dragon chicken and chillie fish arrive at the table —
I was finally ready to accept defeat — gluttony notwithstanding.
I admit to Abrar, that a tasting session at the Urban Spatula should be spread across at least four meals — to do justice to the variety. However unfazed, he promptly signals for the desserts. Three bowls arrive, and I’m smitten by the Charlotte Rousse — a decadent chocolate mousse set on a perfectly textured and nutty chocolate cake base. Even with the carrot halwa and the Damdaar halwa beckoning, I hastily leave, promising to be back soon.
Meal for two Rs 1,000 onwards. Details: 48595951