Avartana

Avartana has been open for quite a long time now, and has won numerous awards in its lifetime. So I was rather disappointed to see the sharp drop in quality both in the food and the hospitality. I’ve dined in many fine dining restaurants and had many set menus. And Avartana was quite mediocre in comparison. First off, the overall presentation was rather sloppy. Our cutlery had not been polished well, and one of our glasses still had pieces of coriander stuck on the outside, which is a serious red flag in terms of cleanness. Their staples like their rasam and their fennel panna cotta were plated to perfection as usual, but other courses such as the seafood fritter rice, the cucumber and apple sorbet, and the stir fried chicken seemed sloppily plated, with food not aligned properly or seemingly thrown into the plate with no direction. We got the non vegetarian Bela which our waiter informed us would take 2 hours to complete. In reality, it took about 2.5 hours, the vast majority of which was simply waiting for our food to arrive. The service moved at a snail’s pace, with intervals of 20 minutes or more between courses. Either they did this on purpose to pad out the meal time, or the kitchen was seriously backed up. Both scenarios are a red flag to me. Though the wait time was the least of my concerns with regard to service. The wait staff at the restaurant was some of the most unfriendly and blunt I’ve experienced at a fine dining restaurant. They never asked us how we were liking the food, checked in on whether the pace of the courses was satisfactory, or spent more than a few seconds to explain the food and answer any questions we might have had. They didn’t even offer to refill our wine glasses, despite us paying by the glass and thus incentivising them to make us drink more. These are all bare minimum at a restaurant of this calibre and price point, yet were sorely missing here. You expect a meal at Avartana to be memorable. To be something you think about for years to come because of how unique the food is. But I’m sad to say that the only reason I’ll be thinking about avartana is to remind myself not to visit again due to how much of a disappointment it was. The only saving grace was the drumstick lamb with neer dosa and the fennel panna cotta. Those two were truly excellent, and are dishes worth remembering. Would I pay the full price just to eat those two dishes again? Definitely not.

Avartana at ITC Grand Chola truly lives up to its reputation. The restaurant has won numerous awards, and I can see why. Some of the dishes absolutely blew my mind — especially their rasam, which was hands down one of the best I’ve ever had. Of course, like any tasting menu, not every dish was a hit for me; a few felt pretty average. We visited on a busy night, but the staff handled it well and ensured we had a smooth dining experience. Overall, it’s a good place to visit, especially if you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion. Worth trying if you’re in Chennai and want a memorable meal.

Awesome experience.. Fantastic service .. Great Presentation .. Although we made our reservation at 7:45pm, the receptionist was sweet to allow us inside at 7:15pm saying we are booked the entire slot from 7pm to 11pm. We chose Bela (9 course meal) and I have attached the menu and the pics of each dish. Needs improvement : There was considerable waiting time (~15mins) just to pay the bill, as they were carrying single card machine for the full bunch !

A must try place for the exquisite and curated meals!! Please keep in mind to go when you have ample time as the experiences range from 1.5 to 3.5 hrs. Do prebook as the restaurant tends to be busy. My regards to the staff for the warm hospitality!

Had a memorable dining experience at Avartana in the ITC Grand Chola. The lunch menu was thoughtfully curated, with each course meticulously presented. Liked the serene atmosphere and elegant plating. However, the wait staff could benefit from more training in articulating the menu slowly, some of the dishes like the sago curd rice with papad were salty. The 13-course meal felt a bit excessive, taking nearly 3 hours to complete, yet overall, enjoyed the experience.

Yesterday we visited Avartana. This was my second visit (my first was two years ago, which I really enjoyed). Once again, I have no complaints about the food or the ambience both were excellent and definitely worth the money. What disappointed me, however, was the service. When we visit a restaurant located in a prestigious place like ITC, we naturally expect professional and attentive service. Sadly, the table service etiquette seems to be missing nowadays staff looked tired, and that reflected in how they interacted with guests. I completely understand that working in restaurants can be repetitive and exhausting, but as diners we come for the overall experience, not just the food. Service is what completes the fine dining journey, and I felt that part was lacking this time.

Innovative food menu. Service felt a little automated but polite. Modern a light atmosphere. More for a fun night out rather than something laid back.

Avartana impresses with its innovative approach and exceptional quality. The ingredients are clearly top-tier, and the vegetarian dishes were executed with remarkable skill—flavorful, creative, and beautifully presented. Each course felt thoughtfully composed, showcasing the kitchen’s mastery. Service was flawless, with Manoj delivering warm, attentive, and professional hospitality throughout the evening. A truly memorable dining experience.