You never quite know what to expect when Six ‘O’ One at The Park Chennai rolls out a new menu. Here’s what we ‘meen’: ever imagined Madrasi fish ramen with turmeric potatoes perched daintily on your chopsticks?
Or how about fajita soft tacos suspended from a mini clothing rack —wooden clips et all?
A quick glance at the dishes in store for our degustation dinner presents a mash-up of unpredictability with cuisines that range from French to Mediterranean, South Indian, Rajasthani and Mexican. The only factor that runs across as a common theme as per executive chef Ashutosh Nerlekar is that “Each dish or at least a majority, are required to be out of the ordinary.” And by golly, he does not disappoint.
Fondue twist
From the appetisers, we find ourselves madly in love with a twist on the classic fondue. This version is more compact, and can be finished by one. Even better, it makes for a phyllo-wrapped surprise with melted camembert from Auroville encased within a pastry. Cranberries and walnuts add some necessary sweetness and texture as we dip and swirl with our French baguette croutons on the side.
Lamb kebab on a stick paired with pita triangles topped with garlic aioli and juicy chunks of peppers in yellow, green and red —make for a fun fusion take on desi meets Mediterranean. And the kebab, a Kafta meshwi is succulent and packed with flavour. Although, for us — it is a tough call between this one and the Lucknowi Chicken Shammi kebab with mint chutney.
Sip, slurp, swoosh
The aforementioned Madrasi ramen fish broth fills us with slurps of delicately flavoured deliciousness. Quell any doubts about this one being overly fishy for sensitive noses! And combined with noodles, turmeric potato cubes, charred pumpkin and Seer fish coated in curry leaf powder — this wholesome bowl (available with shrimp as well) is just what the doctor ordered for a monsoon dinner.
In fact, we would go so far as to add the Madrasi meen ramen to our favourites of 2019 list, for its innovative South Indian twist on a Japanese staple. High praise must also be showered on the Mediterranean-style Halibut paired with a gorgeous, creamy cauliflower purée and crispy bacon wafers. Unfortunately, we are a bit let down by the charred aftertaste of the Laal Maas (a Rajasthani Mutton Curry) that follows.
For dessert, we are presented with a Theobroma tart with a Snicker crumble and a Caramelised Banana Flan. The latter with a hit of dulche de leche for flavour and a trio of dehydrated banana chips for flair, calls out our name, every time we try and put our spoon down.
Launches today. Meal for two INR 1,800 ++