Shaack - be in for a little shock

F-36, KG Galaxy, 2nd Avenue, Above Fab India, Anna Nagar East, Chennai - 600102

 This is above fab India opp to Vishnu eye clinic. If you are driving from Chintamani signal towards rountana, after 100 meters you will find this is to your right on the first floor above FAB India opp Vishnu Eye Clinic.

 

A group of old school mates planned for a reunion in a central location between Ambattur and Vadapalani which had both veg and non-veg options. After a lot of deliberation and decision based on suggestions, we landed in Shaack around 7:30pm.

Ambiance: Shack we thought would resemble more of that thatched roof kinda place but no connection to the name and place. This looks more a regular resto with a few differences being  the rope thatching on the ceiling neatly done, red tissues on the table, and the water cascading on to the glass walls in front is very eye catching. Place looked clean and tidy. Full marks for that

Service: Most of the tables were taken and we had asked our friend who went in early to book a table for six and we ended up becoming 8 so the table was cramped for space to place all dishes (service tip: they could have arranged an additional table to make us comfortable). What would you order when you are not sure whats good in a place?. I could have easily sifted through zomato reviews or asked feedback from people (which i did with 1) and ordered. But I let my friends decide on their own. Reccos from the steward was not much helpful coz she looked very unsure herself  (another service improvement pointer). Plates were given only when asked for, had to keep calling them every now and then to clear plates, water etc. (someone could have attended every  now and then to see what we needed). The 5% service charge is a crime to be charged to a customer when these are not followed. That is a big put off

Food: The menu and the dishes, the presentation all looked copied from another upscale resto. Probably the Chef who consulted for both is the same.

Soups: Cream of tomato and Minestrone 140/-. From the look on my friends faces, I guessed it wasn't good at all

Starters

Potato wedges 150/-french fries140/- are very expensive for a processed item from McCain

Buffalo wings 200/- We were served boneless chicken pieces in the same style (then why call it wings)

Chicken strips 200/- tasted ok 

Pizza: God father 250/- (the only recco I got from a friend) was really good. The base was a ready made one and tasted like biscuit in places but the toppings were really yumm. Good beef and chicken meat

Main course:

Pineapple veg friend rice 170/- it was a mixed bag of reviews on the table from pineapple lovers
Chapathi 2 = 75/-: Very  poor quality and some just left it untouched.

Baby corny Manjurian 190/-: Manjurian sounded the desi version of Manchurian but definitely the spoiler dish of the day, no taste

Country chicken rice 200/-: Was different, caramelized onions and more like a biryani twisted.

Chilly basil &  prawn fried rice 260/-: tasted good but hardly any prawns for the price of this

Pad thai chicken 200/-: yummy, they nailed this one for me. I liked it and went for more

Desserts:  

Devilled chocolate mousse 130/- was passable, Brownie with ice cream 130/- was good, tender coconut souffle 150/- was nice but very sweet, Tiramisu 130/- was decent. 

Total bill was  5306/- with 5% service charge and ~4.94% service tax and 2% VAT. When you don't get the right service is the time when you want to really go through the bill in detail and fume over.

Verdict SHAACK: S = Service definitely needs to be improved, A = ambiance good, A = AC was not sufficient and the table couldn't accommodate 6, C = cuisines covered are a hit and a miss, K = Keen on going back there again, probably not

Shaack - be in for a little shock!!!  

Picture courtesy: Internet