Cafe Mercara Express

I had the pleasure of dining at Cafe Mercara Express, and it was a delightful experience. The mutton biryani and chicken biryani were outstanding, bursting with flavors. The pleasant ambiance and friendly staff added to the overall charm of the place. I can't wait to return for another delightful meal!

Great menu with excellent service and the ambience I would recommend this place.

I’ve never seen this bad of a service in a five star hotel ever . Every single table has leftover plates . I had to ask them to clean 3 times before I could get 1 table to sit . After sitting I’ve been noticing nothing has been cleaned even after 45 min . The managers are simply standing and starting at the sky . I guess managers will not lift a plate in this place . They wait for some cleaner to come who they don’t have . Worst experience . The whole place is smelling of left over food .

Visited the cafe on Deepavali. Was so disappointing. Ordered a chicken sandwich at 2.40. Received it at 3.30. Soup arrived without the bread. Bread arrived half and hour later. Very average food. Will not recommend. Did not live up to our expectations

I just went for a cup of South Indian filter coffee last week (I was there a couple of times before).

This time I ordered a filter coffee. I was served just the coffee - no cookies (I’m not complaining here. I’m completely okay with just the coffee). I asked another staff (later found out her name was Upecha Tamang) who was passing by for a glass of water. But to my surprise she brought the cookies (packed biscuits). She also explained me that it was ITC’s in house cookie and told me it tastes good. I accepted the cookies and liked them.

I was not expecting her to bring the cookies but I liked her presence of mind and thoughtfulness. I’d have given 5 stars just for the hospitality even if the coffee was bad. (The coffee was great as always).

I had to write this review. So I went and asked her name before I left the cafe.

“DOUBLE THUMBS UP” Upecha Tamang. People like you make places great.

Yeah, should’ve trusted the reviews more. Visited for light food and beverage. Nice atmosphere tbh, how ever got a shaky table and chairs which kept sliding. Perhaps some carpet would help.

The food was alright. Would give a 7/10.

Anyway, it was not crowded at all and had plenty of staff. Yet, the service was surprisingly terrible. The only time i saw someone assisting me was when i placed the order and when I wanted to pay. No other check ins in between. Had my water glass empty and couldn’t find anyone to get it topped up. For a “5 - Hotel” this is way below the par.

This is pure in-dinning review, so don't consider this review for stays.
I went to ITC Grand Chola Chennai recently for a family dinner.

1. Gosh such huge building with no clue where is the entry lobby is. Finally found the entry lobby after rounding the building couple of time. The valet system was bit in a chaos due to rush hour.
2. Entered a restaurant called 'Cafe Meraca' for alacarta. The hospitality sucked. I requested a baby chair which was not entertained (Come on guys you are ITC Hotels!!). A small restaurant in the same place would have immediately addressed. The restaurant was under resourced with stewards running here and there like pigeons.
3. I ordered a baby menu, which when came was not having an item as listed in menu. I had to send back the server and get the pending item in the menu.
4. Food was average - OK, the plates were very hot meaning the stuffs they served I believe were super frozen (who knows may be days or months old) and they sent inside micro wave (Come on guys you are ITC Hotels!!).
5. The staff were zero in hospitality. I mean I have never seen a such a worst 5 - Star dining experience in Chennai apart from ITC, Grand Chola.
Overall the experience was horrible. I would never go back!! Believe this is the unreserved compartment of 5-Star dining,