Now Chennai and the people of Chennai are no strangers to vegetarianism. So if another vegetarian restaurant opens its doors in Chennai, it is not a surprise. If you are one of those who raise your eyebrows when haute cuisine and a vegetarian restaurant are talked about at the same time, then you need to think again! So when a fine dining vegetarian restaurant opens in Chennai, the fare it has to offer must be different. Influence is just that…

Influence’s interiors are designed by none other than Manish Malhotra. In fact, the signature of its designer also lends itself to the uniforms worn by the waiters. The interiors can be described as luxurious and elegant, in shades of beige, brown and gold. Spread over 5000 m2. feet gives you a sense of space as you enter. Ponds full of flowers, low lighting, unusual furniture, attractive paintings all add to the creation of a magical aura.

The menu wanders endlessly, offering a variety of healthy drinks and juices to invigorate and rejuvenate. They also have a variety of cream based soups but what caught my eye was the tomato soup served with real gold leaf. The cuisine is more fusion than distinctive. You can choose from spinach balls stuffed with melted mozzarella, risottos for Chennai rice lovers, Vietnamese paper rolls, unusual mixed salads and penne delicately flavored with herbs and mixed with an invigorating tomato puree.

Their range of pizzas is wide and they come with exotic asparagus, olive oil, fromaggio, jalapeños and chives. Fusion foods like paneer with Dijon mustard and mango sauce for dumplings whetted our taste buds. Desserts were rich and creamy, but their chocolate desserts were to die for!

If fusion food is not your thing, then you have an option too! They have a full desi menu for you to enjoy: dal makhni, tadka daal, palak makai, paneer pasada, crispy cauliflower, vegetable biryani, butter naans, pudina, and lachchedar paratha. The usual in terms of choice, but the unusual in terms of taste – the food was particularly tasty and not floated with oily masala!

Touted as the first luxury lifestyle restaurant in Chennai, it can best be described as cutting edge and a good influence indeed! Despite the calm one feels upon entering the restaurant, it wasn’t particularly calm. A little pricey, but the good food and atmosphere make you feel like it’s value for money.

Find more exotic restaurants of this type here.