The first thing you notice about Big Chill are the numerous posters of golden oldie Hollywood movies in sleek black frames jostling for space on all the walls. Only the ceiling has been spared.
This is the obsession of the owner couple who have been collecting movie posters over the years. Achieving a warm ambience is the ambition of many restaurants but this has been delightfully achieved by Big Chill. So take in the posters of movies like ‘ Breakfast at Tiffany’s’, sharing space with numerous framed Coke ads of various vintages. Make sure you spend time looking through those posters as a tribute to the labour of love of the owners. The name of the restaurant has been inspired by the movie ‘Big Chill’ and its large poster beckons- “What would the world be like without your friends and loved ones? ” and to put it simply that sets the tone of the place.
But then Big Chill is not just about the ambience or ‘atmosphere’ for that is never enough for a restaurant – they back it up with some great food.
A two storey trattoria in East of Kailash, it is hidden away from the hustle bustle and attracts its own loyal crowd who keep coming back for more. The crowd consists of people in the age groups of 20-40s and it has its share of customers till 11 p.m. Despite the two floors in the restaurant the loyal clientele could keep you waiting for a table on weekends.
But don’t let this deter you as this is just the right kind of place to go with friends and loved ones for a slow paced, relaxed evening meal where you can catch up on the latest happenings over a satisfying meal. The menu is Italian and one can have a complete meal starting with soups - tomato and minestrone served hot with focaccia bread, an amazing antipasti platter, scrumptious slightly crisp bruschettas with choice of tomato and other thinly sliced Mediterranean toppings like zucchini, dribbled in olive oil with a hint of basil served hot. The choice in the main course includes risotto, baked potato, an amazing variety of pastas (spaghettis, macaronis, penne etc) in a variety of sauces, cannelloni and lasagnas as well as the all time staple pizzas.
My personal favourite is the tomato bruschetta (Rs. 60) or the one with a mixture of toppings only because Big Chill is a place where the desserts are comparable to none – so be ready to sin. Though they have a variety of ice-creams, which are listed in chalk of various colours on a black board behind the counter, it is best to try out their pies where you will come across a range of never before discovered options. The Boston Banofee pie (Rs. 70) a rich fusion of banana, toffee and whipped cream with chocolate flakes can disarm the most cynical amongst us. If you are a chocoholic (like me, the Boston Banofee pie is a delightful exception) then there are the squidy chocolate cake and the humungous Mississippi mud pie (Rs.110) which has layers of chocolate and coffee – cake and ice cream in thick chocolate sauce – and if you have had a meal be ready to share this gigantic delight.
But make sure that if it is dessert that you wish to have you place your order as soon as you arrive for some of the hot favourites are apt to be devoured before you get your chance. So everyday the desserts are fresh and as yummilicious as the previous visit.
The service is slow and tardy and they take ages to bring you your glass of water but then that is an integral part of the place which you sort of accept as a minor blip in the overall grand scene of things.
After all it might have been tad too perfect otherwise.