The neat, fine dining ambience gives 3 Kingdoms the appearance of a business lunch restaurant. But the menu speaks differently - A combination of Thai, Chinese and Malaysian cuisines is presented to the discerning Chennai foodie in this ambitious project by Joshua.

The place serves both buffet and a la carte and a concerned restaurant manager suggests we order off the menu card. We accept his suggestion and are rewarded with choice dishes from the Chef.

The sweet corn chicken soup and the hot and sour veg soups that are brought in are both heavy. For a change, the soups contain plenty of shredded chicken and vegetables respectively.

Black popper chicken, served as entree, is the signature dish for the day. Marinated in onion, garlic and tomato ketchup and deep-fried, the chicken is a melt-in-the-mouth delicacy. Chilli fried potatoes and crisply fried broccoli and cauliflower are served as vegetarian starters. The veg dimsum is served in a tiny wicker basket but the taste does not match the presentation.

For the main course vegetarian fare, we choose to stick with veg hakka noodles and stir fried vegetables. The chef, however, brings in a sweet and sour vegetable which has cauliflower, broccoli and corn cooked in spicy and sweet sauce, and 4-treasure vegetable, a combination of mushrooms, zucchini, baby corn and broccoli cooked in hunan and spicy chilli sauces.

Three dishes - diced chicken with devil sauce, prawn pepper garlic and tender fish fillet cooked in white sauce - make up the non-vegetarian side dishes, all of which are richly Oriental in flavour and `awesome` according to my happy friend.

The chef prides himself on the darsal - flat noodles dipped in honey - offered as dessert. The coconut rolls - a batter coated, crisply fried sweet filled with grated coconut and sugar - is a great hit and we bet you can`t eat just one. The coconut cake reminds you of the regular sponge cake generously sprinkled with grated coconut and chopped cashews.

The moderate pricing and swift service more than make up for the small portions. 3 Kingdoms is the place to be whether you`re looking at a quick business lunch or if your taste buds are craving for different flavours over a relaxed dinner.

Lakshmi Krishnamoorthy