It is a little hard to spot - there is a bus stop right in front. But Cafe Picasso is the kind of restaurant that one can step into for the very first time and yet feel as if one has been a regular there for ages. The decor seems comfortingly familiar and the friendly, polite staff are quick to make one feel at home. Evidently, regular patrons feel that way too, for they come in and straightaway occupy tables they have obviously marked out as their favourites and order their food from memory.

The cuisine is varied: Mexican, Italian and Continental and American fast food. The menu is, therefore, fairly extensive. There are entrees of Mexican quesidillas and nachos; soups of Gazpacho (a cold soup of blended fresh vegetables) and Seafood Mexicano; salads of chicken and avocado, coleslaw, chicken Hawaiian, to name a few. The main courses range from Vegetables au Gratin, Neopolitaine and Lasagna, to grilled chicken and lamb, Mexican fajitas (marinated strips of tender lamb or chicken breast grilled with sweet peppers, tomatoes, onions and spices), tacos (shredded seasoned lamb or chicken with greens and cheese served in tortillas), enchiladas (tortillas with cheese, vegetable or chicken filling and sauce), burritos (lamb, chicken or vegetables with a special sauce in a soft tortilla)) and eight pasta preparations. The chefs here have trained under Chef Vasu of the highly popular Don Pepe Mexican food restaurant (reviewed earlier in this column), so the cooking is of the highest standard. This diner found the grilled chicken dishes to be exceptionally good.

Desserts can be selected from the counter in the foyer. The foyer does, in fact, serve as an outlet for Hot Breads bakery and confectionery products, and fans of this brand will find their favourites here; Walnut Fudge (which can be had with ice cream), Danish, Dizzy Dogs! There is ample variety in beverages, mocktails, juices and milk shakes, and, of course, snacks - fish 'n'chips, panneer fingers, French fries and more -- burgers, pizzas, hot dogs and sandwiches. The prices are reasonable, keeping in mind the all-round excellence; main courses being priced from Rs.55 for vegetable tacos, to Rs.124 for BBQ Prawns and Chicken Casserole; soups from Rs.32 to Rs.46; entrees upto Rs.84, fast foods from Rs.35 for a Chicken Burger to Rs.124 for Crumb Fried Prawns.

The restaurant is bright and easy on the eye, with lots of big glass windows, paintings and china on the walls, and light, wood-coloured furniture. The tables are square two-seaters, at an unusual height more suited for work tables than for dining. But that does not make them uncomfortable or awkward, rather, it encourages relaxed, semi-casual dining, sitting upright with elbows firmly on the table, the hands coming up exactly to the level of one's mouth -- ideal for eating a burger. 

Picasso Cafe
C-49, 2nd Avenue, 
near Chintamani signal,
Anna Nagar, 
Chennai 600 102. 
Phone: 628-4363.

It is open from 10 am till 11 pm. Fast foods are available from 10 am till 8 pm.

Arun Masilamoni

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