Taiwanese Food Festival at Stix, Hyatt Regency, Chennai

What: Taiwanese Food Festival at Stix

Where: Hyatt Regency, Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai.

When: 20^th - 24^th May, 2016 (open for Lunch and Dinner)

It isn't new for Hyatt Regency to fill our palate with delicious food from across the world. And this time, it was Taiwan. Bringing the flavours of Taiwan down to Chennai for an exclusive festival in partnership with Taipei Economic and Culture Centre. Passing on his magic to the food, Chef Sung from Grant Hyatt Taipei has crafted a beautiful menu with authentic Taiwanese ingredients for the festival.

After Indian and Italian, Asian food holds close to my heart. The intricate flavours and balance would leave you craving for more. My first bite from Taiwanese cuisine, so I am not going to judge the authenticity but did I enjoy the food? Read the post and you will get your answers.

The dining floor of Stix is warm and welcoming; the cutleries are a personal favourite. As the hot Chinese Tea was poured into my cup, the Appetizers made their way. The Chef hand-picked their best delicacies to elite our tummies with happiness. Resonating with the election results of Tamil Nadu, the green coloured tea infused dumpling busted in mouth with ginger, celery and mushroom. Adding enough crunchy element to the soft dumplings and heat from the Chilli dip, Green Tea Mushroom Dumplings is my best pick from the meal.

Throw garlic on my plate and that would do magic for me. The Garlic Salt and Pepper Shrimp had a delicious fragrance from the garlic and the crunchy outer layer of the shrimp is yum. The shrimp seemed a little hard for me, could have been softer. The Green Pepper, Pork, Seafood Pie is how they called the dish and I was wondering where is the pie crust; then to realise how much the American food at Chennai has influenced me. The Taiwan's delicate pie with chunks of pork is loaded with flavours.

Pie

My much-loved ingredient on Pizza, pineapple is a brilliant addition in fried rice; the Pineapple Fried Rice with infusion of pineapple in the Jasmine rice was delight to taste with Mango Fried Chicken. The charred edges of juicy chicken with sweetness from mango complimented the staples perfectly.  

The glossy rice noodles with pumpkin and pork is another flawless dish (Pumpkin, Pork Fried Rice Noodles). As beauty as the Pink Lady looked, I wasn't completely happy with the stuffing but the soft-juicy tomatoes made me finish the plates.

Pink Lady

Bacon Fish Roll, crispy bacon and moist fish is a heavenly combination. Not a fan of bacon and leaving that aside the fish was yummiest.

Sesame Balls with Bean Paste, the semi-circle globes of sesame coated balls made of rice-flour and stuffed with bean paste filled the palate with subtle sweetness, rekindling the craving for stuffed Kozhukattai (sweet dumplings). The season calls for Mango and another Taiwan's most-loved dessert, Mango Sago resembling the Kheer is perfect way to end the meal.

Sesame Balls

Breaking Down Points

Location & Parking: Positive. Elite locality with valet parking.

Ambience: Positive. Warm and cosy!

Food Variety: Good. Exclusive and good spread for Taiwanese Food Festival.

Taste: Good. Authentic they say and tasty I say.

Quality & Quantity: Good. Simple-rustic presentation and ample portion.

Service: Positive. Flawless.

Price: NA. Approximate cost for two is Rs. 3000 INR (plus taxes). Finesse in taste and food would talk for the expensive Taiwanese food experience.

So my Verdict!

A tide of flavours from the Isle of Tao. Spreading the flavours of Taiwan and enriching the knowledge of Taiwanese cuisine in Chennai. The festival is five days long so if you love exploring cuisines and Asian food, this should make you happy.

For Reservations & enquiries, visit chennai.regency.hyatt.com or call
+91 44 61001234

P.S. This write-up is based on my food palate & dining experience during my restaurant visit. On-the-house bloggers meet for Taiwanese Food Festival at Stix. Remember, no two person's food palate can be same. And this post is only for the Taiwanese Food Festival happening at Stix.