On The Rocks

Critic´s Review

• Food: 4.5 / 5
• Service: 4.5 / 5
• Decor: 4.5 / 5

-By Ameeta Agnihotri

On The Rocks is purely indulgence. Obviously a bar, you would think, and you would be right. But there's more. Split over two levels, OtR is an experience in itself. The only fine dining outlet of its kind in Chennai, it has a bar on the ground floor, where short eats come in individual fascinatingly styled bite sizes and the Mojitos are, well, exactly how Mojitos should be. Live music plays soothingly in the background while conversation ebbs and flows around you. A small cubicle is set aside for smoking with a chest of the best cigars in the world. Guests are free to carry their drinks inside to enjoy with their cigars. Once you are done enjoying your drink and the wondering at the huge display of wine bottles stacked interestingly right up to the first floor, you are led to the first floor, where food waits. The second part of why it's called On The Rocks is because your food is literally cooked by you on hot volcanic rocks. Non vegetarians have a choice of succulent raw meats to choose from - and cook - on rocks that come from deep within a volcano. Before the rock comes in, anticipation builds as a placard is placed on the table telling you that you cannot pour your sauces on the meat as it cooks, and under no circumstances to touch the rock, as it is heated to 450°C! Then the hero arrives. As if that is not enough, the chef has really worked on desserts to make each one a piece of edible art. And the restaurant manager is a practiced hand with wines. He will suggest what goes with what and even show you their wine library to take you through the best from across the world. The menu changes here every two weeks.