I’ve been visiting The Cascade for 8 years now. My affair with this wonderful restaurant started when a Thai food festival was on at Cascade way back in 1996. I was there with a group of friends to celebrate my salary hike. I was a student then and had been working part time. The bill was almost equal to a month’s salary, but the experience was wonderful. I’ve often wondered about the real the reason behind my liking the place. I think its the combination of the food and the courteous and prompt service.
The Cascade now has 3 restaurants in Madras. I have visited all 3 of them. The restaurant in Besant Nagar does not particularly fascinate me. I like the one in Nungambakkam because of the memories it holds...the numerous celebration dinners I’ve had there with friends and family. But today, I choose to visit the restaurant in T. Nagar (part of Quality Inn Sabari) because I’m told the staff of the Nungambakkam branch has all moved here.
The food served here is very tasty and the portions are huge. The Cascade is best suited for groups of 4 or more. The prices seem exorbitant but given their portions, it all evens out. 4 people can actually share one bowl of soup. The same goes for their noodles and rice items. They have some very innovative and healthy starters in addition to the usual stuff. “Golden baskets” is one of them. Their vegetable wontons and spring rolls are simply divine.
I have tried almost everything vegetarian on their menu. Nothing has disappointed me yet. They have something called ’’Eight Treasure Hotpot’’ which is a very tasty dish.
I am extremely biased when it comes to their desserts menu. While I have tried other stuff from time to time, their fried ice cream simply wins hands down. Do try it when you visit the restaurant.
Reservations are necessary all the time unless you are willing to wait. There is not much waiting that you will have to do once you are your table. Food is served within 20 minutes of your placing your order, sometimes faster.
One of the things that I really appreciate about this place is that the people here help you with what to order, and how much. They actually stop you from over ordering and tell you that one rice dish is sufficient for everyone at the table. I’ve not noticed too many restaurant managers giving customers such tips.
If you’re a Chinese food buff like I am and are in Madras, it is unlikely that you haven’t visited this restaurant yet. But if you haven’t for some reason, you really don’t know what you’re missing.