Aiwo @ Nungambakkam
When I frist saw the name and logo, I thought it should be a fruit/juice shop like “Fruit Shop on Greams Road”. But soon i found that it is a speciality restaurant. Whenever I had coffee at Barista, I thought of visiting Aiwo too. Yesterday I got a chance.
Introduction:
Aiwo is different. They serve a-la-carte and conveyor meal. The tables are located close to a conveyor belt which carries the food cups. Well yes.. cups, the quantity is less in each bowl. But you get unlimited food. Eat as much as you can.
The A-la-carte serves both veg and non-veg items. The conveyor serves only veg items. Everyday there is a random menu for lunch and dinner conveyor meal. The conveyor meal is Rs.195 with 14 items including a optional complementory white egg preparation.
The Aiwo concept:
Aiwo says “Food for Life”. The food items are prepared in such a way that they contain less calories, less fat and prepared using Olive oil. Strictly no other oils. Every dish is served in a medium sized bowl, which offers you 50 calories of food in average. So this is best suited for those who wish to maintain a balanced and healthy diet.
First Impression:
The interiors are decent and the big attraction is the conveyor belt. You sit on the sides of the conveyor belt and it has 14 number boards. Next to each number board, the relevant dish is placed in 3 or 4 bowls and it keeps moving around the restaurant.
Everyday, there is a random menu with 14 different dishes. Each dish is prepared at regular intervals and served through the conveyor belt. When the bowls come near to your table, you can pick them and enjoy.
Quantity:
Aiwo promotes balanced and healthy food, the quantity of food in each bowl is less, enough to generate 50 calories of energy. This will be helpful for those who are keen about the calories.
Taste:
Taste? well dont expect a great taste. You will be disappointed if you get in expecting a spicy channa masala and romali roti. Go elsewhere. Some of the items are prepared in Barley and low calorie flours. yesterday I had Veg Barley Briyani! . The soup made me to think that i am in a hospital canteen. On the contrary the barley based Moong Dal payasam was something better, it brought me back to the earth. Some other tongue-savers are the Barbeque Mushroom, Gobi fry… and green peas masala.
Should you try?
May be.. but on your own risk. I am not sure everyone will like it. But Aiwo is a differnet experience worth trying once.