Kajha Biriyani, Vaniyambadi - near bus stop

This is essentially a non-vegetarian, South Indian restaurant located a stones throw from the Vaniyambadi bus stop.  The biriyani at Vaniyambadi is popular and I did not know which restaurant to source it from.  I started making inquiries at Krishnagiri and also again while approaching Vaniyambadi and was directed to this one.  It may be around 2 km off the Chennai - Bangalore highway (NH-46)
Food - The biriyani is made with long grain rice and is quite good.  The mutton is cooked well and falls off the bone.  It is accompanied by a onion raitha and a brinjal based gravy, both of which go well with the biriyani.   There is ample meat in the biriyani and if you are not hungry, might find it difficult to finish the pieces of meat.  The only minus was that there were a few small bone fragments that you need to capture and do away with before gorging into the biriyani.
Ambiance - Basic, non air-conditioned.  I had in any case done a take away and did not eat there.  However, I presume the place would be quite hot in summer.  Parking a car around the restaurant would be challenging though not impossible.
Service - Fast - you come in, are seated, place your order...food is packed and served!
Cost - @ Rs.85/- per plate of mutton biriyani, it is reasonable.
Summary - Food - Good, Ambiance - Basic, Service - Acceptable, Cost - Reasonable.
Reco - I will definitely go there again when I drive thru this stretch of highway.  It is certainly better than the more popular Ambur Star Biriyani and I do not think it is related to the Kajha Biriyani in Ambur.  Certainly worth a detour!

Hard Rock Cafe, St. Mary's Road

HRC Bangalore (or HRC Bengalooru as it is now called), is located off MG Road, off Church St., in a heritage building.

Food (&Drinks) - the Caiproska - a vodka based drink with lime, sugar and mint was quite good - a favorite of mine.  The Mojito (similar to caiproska but has white rum instead of vodka) was also quite good.  The chicken kebab did not seem to be a kebab - not a tandoori kebab..but was quite tasty and the mint chutney accompanying it was good.  The potato skins with beacon was also good, potato skins, with a bit of the body scooped out and stuffed with beacon and cheese and baked..however one potato was a bit under done and a tad raw.

Service - Its a pain getting a table around the bar section..however managed to get it...service is a bit laid back...there are a number of waiters..who display a lot of energy...but are mostly not around tables...however, they serve with a smile.

Ambiance - Has three sections, the bar, the restaurant and the outdoor - for smokers....the former two are typical HRC with a lot of music memorabilia displayed.  The music system seems to have been replaced - certainly sounded a lot better than last time.  They do have free valet parking.

Cost - A pint of KF draft was around ₹190/-, the cocktails come at around ₹360/-.  The kebab had six pieces and was around ₹350/- and the 4 pieces in the potato dish around ₹250/-.  A bit on the higher side..but in line with similar restaurants / pubs.  10% service charges are extra!

Summary - Food - Average, Drinks - Good, Ambiance - Good, Service - Can improve, Cost - Appropriate.

Reco - I'll go there again!

Terminology - ₹ - Symbol for Indian Rupee

Coconut Grove, Church Street

This is a semi alfresco restaurant serving Kerala cuisine.  Liquor is served.
Food - The crab fry a dry preparation with fresh grated coconut and red chili was spicy and tasted good.  There were three crab bodies on offer and a couple of claws.  A good starter.  The aapams were a bit sour...they usually add a pinch of sugar to compensate for the sourness..but this was missing...it was served hot and fresh nonetheless.  The fish molly a mildly spiced stew with fried fish pieces was awesome.  The fish curry was a let down....nothing to write home about - the gravy was predominantly chili chili and chili and turmeric..seemed a bit raw (the spices). (Both the fish dishes were prepared with Seer Fish.)
Service - Service was largely prompt but there is scope for improvement.
Ambiance - Basic furnishing, has an open air area and a covered non air-conditioned area as well.  I did not notice any valet...so you may have to try hard to park in and around Church St....especially during a busy evening or lunch time on week days.  However, it is very close to the MG Road Metro station.
Cost - Quite steep - probably a bit more than similar restaurants on Church St., They do not fleece you additionally towards service charges.  A bottle of KF beer is around ₹190/- and a 60ml bacardi comes at around ₹290/-.  A plate of aapam is around ₹80/- for two pieces.  The gravies cost close to ₹400/- each and the crab dish around ₹450/-.
Summary - Food - Good, Service - Acceptable, Ambiance - not bad, Cost - a bit expensive.
Reco - I'll go there again..not any time soon..and will avoid the fish curry.
Terminology - Aapam - 'hoppers' - a pancake made with fermented rice flour - a staple of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.