Up North; a taste of posh Punjabi in Chennai

Written by Tim Blight

Writer, traveller, amateur photographer, teacher. Based in Melbourne and Lahore.
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October 21, 2015

Up North

Atop the Raintree Hotel on Chennai’s Anna Salai is a really special place to enjoy some Punjabi khana.

Up North kitchen

I first went to Up North in 2011 and immediately fell in love with the surroundings. It was a hot monsoonal night, and the city seemed to hum beneath us as we tucked into some delicious, quality food.

Up North restaurant

Since then I have returned several times, most notably with my parents during the Diwali of 2012 as fireworks exploded all around us. I visited a few months ago and the service and food hadn’t changed – it was still top notch.

Pappad and chutney

All meals begin with spicy pappad with a variety of chutneys, which for me were then followed by my favourite entree at the restaurant, Multani tikkey paneer kebabs.

Paneer tikka kebab

I love Punjabi-style fish, and so the main was a foregone conclusion; Patialashahi Machchi, fish in tangy, semi-sweet tomato gravy.

Patialashahi Machchi

And it didn’t disappoint. In addition to the delicious, lip-smacking food options, the service is phenomenal and the presentation impressive. Arrowhead-shaped plates are swapped, spun and replaced before me, creating a fascinating tapestry of courses.

Up north spread

Desserts are also important, and Up North does them well – gulab jamun is a specialty (and a favourite of mine), but their kulfi is really special too – served iceberg-style in a vast bath of creamy goodness.

(Image: Sarah Siraj, Zomato)

(Image: Sarah Siraj, Zomato)

Up North is one of my favourite places to eat out in Chennai, and the service, food and setting all justify the not-so-cheap prices. I’m already dreaming of my next visit to Up North…

Up North

Details

Food: 9/10

Ambience: 10/10

Service: 9/10

Cost: Mains Rs. 500 – Rs. 800

The Raintree, 636 Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai

(044) 30853633

www.raintreehotels.com/the-raintree-annasalai/dining

Daily: 7pm – 11:30m

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10 Comments

  1. Andrew

    looks pretty darned good!

    Reply
    • Tim Blight

      It was sooo good – a real highlight of my most recent trip there πŸ™‚

      Reply
  2. veena

    looks like a great place β€” and that kulfi looks especially delicious!

    Reply
    • Tim Blight

      I love kulfi, but they simply know how to jazz it up right – sooooo tasty!!

      Reply
  3. Anna @ shenANNAgans

    Love me an open kitchen and phallic shaped foods #kidding
    Looks a lovely spot for a feed, and the plates are great too. Gone are the days that food is served on a boring old round plate.

    Reply
    • Tim Blight

      Why kidding? :p

      But yes, it’s a great place to eat, and the plates are pretty awesome. And the food… oh the food…

      Reply
  4. Agness

    Tim, it really looks like a nice place to dine out. Especially when you go for a fancy dinner with friends! πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Tim Blight

      Yup – fancy dinner with friends, or with someone special πŸ˜€ It’s not cheap, but it’s definitely worth the splurge πŸ™‚

      Reply
    • Tim Blight

      It was soooooo good!!! Thanks for stopping by πŸ™‚

      Reply

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