Jul 05, 2008 11:33 AM
3442 Views
(Updated Jul 05, 2008 11:38 AM)
The Abad group has several real estate and hotel ventures in Cochin. The flagship hotel is on MG road, opposite the Main transport bus stand road, close the Padma theatre.They also have a new Hotel building built behind it, another Abad(Atrium)in Panampilly Nagar, One near the Airport and the Baypride mall is theirs too. They have numerous other properties also, but I am not delving into that now. The one in the photo accompanying this review is the MG road hotel.
Restaurants:
The Flagship Abad(MG RoadO has 3 main restaurants, including a nice cafe called Canopy, that is open upto 12 midnight. There is a seafood restaurant called "Kadaloram"( meaning near the sea, or so to speak) this faces MG road, and might be noisy as another reviewer pointed out, however, I found Kadaloram quite nice, and not noisy. This review is about their main restaurant, the "Regency"
Entertainment/ Floor Show;*
I have been to the Regency maybe half a dozen times, and what I most liked was the fact that it was not noisy, and they almost always had a chap singing old Hindi Ghazals, and old malayalam hits every evening. I guess it is true when they say "if the music is too loud, you're too old", as I can't stand loud places and loud music when I go out to relax and have a meal. The regency has their volume just right and the male singer is very good. It is nice to hear him and then join in the clapping when he finishes a nostalgic number
They also bring in other bands singing classic rock, pop(you know, Clapton, Eagles et al) when they had a wild west buffet a month or so a go.
To cut a long story short, it it a nice place for aging chaps like me, if you like your food with a bit of soothing melody accompanying it.
Comfort:
Regency is airconditioned just right, not too cold or hot
The chairs are comfortable. VERY important. I like the food at many other places, especially the Luciya food court, but don't like going their as it isn;t comfortable to sit down. Here you do have sofas and chairs, where you can sink into, just the right depth. Sofas are also important if you have an infant, you want lying down next to you. Chairs don't cut it for such requirements
Food:
Ah, food, well that is the most important part, isn't it?
I had steaks( well done and rare, though the rare was too rare for me!), grills and other meaty stuff for their wild west fest, with a lot of nice desserts, for Rs 375, which were pretty good, but not really mind blowing in tast. I would give 3 stars for quality and taste. Good, but not memorable.
But one thing, I found really good, on another occasion at the Regency, was their shrimp cocktail. If you haven't had a shrimp cocktail ever, or if you had one abroad, you might want to try this one-well this one was one of the best I ever had. It comes in a cocktail glass, as it should(not in a plate, as I once got it a t the Luciya), with a creamy, pink color and smooth consistency. It was excellent and should be tried as a starter, if you like sea food.
The other stuff, such as a butter chicken, naan, soups and rices are good, but nothing more, as was their biryani, which was passable, but still nothing worth writing home about
Wallet effect:
Moderately and reasonably prices, taking in mind the location, ambience and the food. 375 for a buffet, 1400 for a meal for 4 without any alcohol. I felt it was fair.
IN Summary:
Relaxing restaurant. Not very five starrish, but comfortable, airconditioned, with good food and nice music. Just the place to relax after a hard days work. Price: mid range
It is family and resonably kid friendly, though they do not supply bassinets or high chairs
T**o contact:
Call:0484-2381122
