Good ambience & service, average food. Review on The Cave, Teynampet, Chennai

Everytime we passed it on the road, we saw a couple of Dinosaurs leaning out of the cave-like structures gnashing their teeth out at us. My daughter would jump up and down in the seat of the car and demand that we go there. So, this weekend we decided to indulge her and ventured into The Cave…

This is the new theme restaurant in Chennai located on the arterial Mount Road (in Teynampet – just past Kamarajar Arangam). The exterior looks intriguing enough to catch the eyeballs and make you want to check it out. So after passing it a zillion times – we finally did decide to go there.

Valet parking is available so we handed over the car keys and stepped into the rocky caves. There is a vily looking Gorialla right at the door. We defy him and walk in. Narrow, rocky steps lead down into the interior of The Cave. ‘Fire’-like flaming lights show the way. It took us a few seconds to get adjusted to the darkness inside. We were led to our seats and as we settled into our tiger prints chairs we noticed a life-size statue of a caveman saying “hi” to us! My daughter was thrilled with the place!

The interior was all ‘stone-like’. I must confess that I expected it to be rather tacky – but it has been nicely done. Weaver bird nests with dim lights inside hang down from the roof. To my right was a reindeer’s face, his face fixed in a permanent grin and his large horns glowing. Also to my right was a little waterfall with roots of some sort dangling down. All of this absolutely thrilled my daughter! She was observing every little detail with absolute glee and declared loudly “I like this place mom!” Well, in which case so do we! Masala pappads came as compliments and we munched those as we inspected the menu card. This one is a multi-cuisine restaurant with both veg and non-veg in the menu. We ordered a few starters – veg/mutton/fish kebabs. The veg kebabs were delicious and my husband (who is non-veg) reported that the mutton one was disappointing, though the fish was apparently good. The pudina chutney that came along with the kebab looked suspiciously extra green – I’m not sure if that was because of the dim lighting or because of added colour! Soups were passable. (cream of mushroom and hot-sour chicken)

The menu has an extensive range of North Indian, Chinese and Continental items. Since we were not too hungry none of us ordered a main course. My daughter wanted pasta – we ordered Pasta Arabitta – which had a sweetish sauce. A trifle disappointing. I also ordered a corn and pasta salad – which was sweet too!

The service was excellent and very prompt. The staff dressed in jungle print outfits were extremely friendly. In the middle of the meal I turned to see this HUGE person standing next to me and almost screamed my lungs out! He was 6ft + and his circumference was about 50 times mine! It turned out to be a man dressed in an inflatable suit with a mask and a chefs hat! He caused much excitement in that little hall where we were sitting. My daughter was watching him with her mouth agape. And continued to stare at him warily when he came next to her and offered his hands to shake. She wondered how a man could be so fat! That was until we told her that it was a balloon man. Then she started having visions of him exploding like a balloon and followed his every move with concern.

The restaurant has ground and basement seating. Narrow steps lead down to the basement – we followed the ‘balloon man’ as he struggled down the narrow steps (my daughter wanted to be there when he exploded!!). However nothing of the sort happened – but we did take a peep at the cozy basement hall with its mini Lotus pond and waterfall.

So, here’s the final verdict:-Excellent ambience – great if you’re going there with kids. They will absolutely love it!-Food is not so great. So try not to experiment and order the usual, tried and tested North Indian variety. -Service is quick, portions are reasonably good-Pricing is average – given the ambience you don’t mind paying -Tough for elderly people with poor eyesight as the lighting is rather dim. It’s been created for young families.

If you’ve not been there yet – take your kids out and have fun! It certainly merits a visit - at least for the overall experience.