There is something about live kitchens that whets the palette. The clinking sounds of cutlery, the smell of aromatic spices, punctuated by the laughter and exclamations of the chefs working at the cooking station - the experience of dining reaches a new high. No wonder then that the newly opened Hyatt Regency in Chennai has made live kitchens the cynosure of all its restaurants. We decided to soak in the atmosphere of some Asian street-hawker stall style food at the hotel's Chinese restaurant, Stix.

With an open kitchen in the centre, the pleasure of watching the chefs in action as they stir fry, braise and toss together your dish is beautifully blended with the view of the zen-style poolside and the cloudy skies beyond.

Inviting interiors, Chinese touches

Warm in its use of brown and beige colours, the restaurant brings together rough stone slabs, wooden panels and polished steel to create a contemporary dining space. However, while you step on stone slabs to reach your table, you can't miss the elegant Chinese touches in the form of traditional teapot displays. Large vases containing chopsticks on each table also add a nice touch. One has the option of choosing a cosy corner for private conversations or experience community-style dining at the large table right next to the chef's station, for a whiff of the Sichuan province.

Sichuan at your table

Sichuan cuisine, more popularly known as Szechuan cuisine is known to be spicy and pungent as its most celebrated ingredient is the Sichuan peppercorn. Yet, there exists a certain amount of subtlety to the food. After all, Chinese cuisine is based on balance of tastes. At Stix, you don't have an elaborate menu to flip through. Short and crisp, one can easily glance through the appetisers, dimsums, soups, main course, rice and noodles and desserts in one go.

We began the meal with an appetiser of blanched spinach leaves dressed with Chinese rice vinegar, sesame and peanut sauce. Strictly for those who love the flavour of peanuts. For non-vegetarians, the recommended poached chicken in a crushed peanut and sesame sauce is a delightful start to the meal, with the chicken slightly spiced and served cold on a bed of cucumber. What's a Chinese meal without dimsums! We tried the vegetable and spinach one and it was just right. There were also options of steamed fish, prawn and lamb fillings.

The soup choices were interesting too. Served in a traditional urn-shaped bowl, the baby bok choy and assorted mushroom clear soup was well balanced in its flavours.

Non-vegetarians can sample the delectable clam and bean curd soup and braised tomato and egg soup.

Chinese mainstay

While sipping jasmine tea to cleanse our palate, the main course was quickly laid out. Kung Pao chicken and the chef-recommended Sichuan style chicken with chilli and peppercorns didn't disappoint. These dishes show the diverse cooking styles native to the Sichuan region. While the large cashew nuts tossed in the sweet and spicy Kung Pao chicken was a highlight, the clear winner was the steamed broccoli in oyster sauce.

The light sauce teamed well with the stir-fried noodles and rice with lettuce and soy sauce.

Seafood lovers can look forward to savouring stir-fried lobsters, scallops and prawns and also a special mixed seafood rice with black fungus and carrot. The more adventurous can try duck with mushrooms in mild, sweet soya sauce.

The Head Sous Chef sent in some yummy desserts to round off the lunch. Yes, though desserts do not form a part of the cuisine, Stix has a few options for those with a sweet tooth. And they have steered clear of the commonly served darsan (deep-fried flat noodles in honey). We loved the caramel crust of the egg custard tart, the perfect squishiness and mild sweetness of the honey in the banana fritters and the wholesome fruitiness of the mango pudding.

What works well for Stix is its warm ambience, non-fussy a la carte options, use of authentic ingredients all the way from China, a team of expert Chinese chefs and good food. The burden on your wallet is not too heavy and the view transports you above the din of the city and into the joyful clamour of Sichuan streets.

What: Sichuan Cuisine

Where: Stix, Hyatt Regency, Chennai

How much: Approximately Rs 2,500 for a meal for two

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