
When it comes to speciality restaurants in Chandigarh, Southeast Asian cuisine seems to be a ruling favourite. Leading the way here is OKO, housed in The Lalit Chandigarh. While the fine diner opened doors a few years ago, it can be duly credited for retaining authentic flavours and being consistent at that. Even though it is tucked away in a discreet corner of the hotel, the restaurant screams attention with its fiery bold red interiors and a ceiling that will have you reaching for your phone to create an Instagram post. The seating is comfortable and conducive for both large crowds as well as intimate meetings. There is a view of the outdoors as well as the open kitchen that is steered by the well-travelled and affable 'Thai Chef Suriya Phusirimongkhonchai'. He is also super creative at vegetable and fruit carving and his works are often displayed here. As you settle into calming music, reach for the menu and take your time scanning it, for making a selection of dishes is not going to be easy. The restaurant takes pride, and rightfully so, for its extensive Teppanyaki range, signature sushi and Japanese meals (Robata) off the grill. The menu also packs in a robust selection of starters, soups, salads, seafood, poultry and meats hop-scotching across Thai, Chinese, Malaysian cuisine. Depending on your choice of meat, seafood or vegetables, the chefs rustle up a fine teppanyaki cooked in your choice of 'Garlic Soya', 'Lemon Butter', 'Teriyaki' or 'Tonkatsu Sauce'. For those looking for unique flavours, do try for the Japanese grills. The 'Doufu Toh Pineapple (Shichimi spiced Tofu with Pineapple)' makes for a perfect starter as does 'Tebasaki (Chicken Wings with Chilli Tonkatsu)'. Seafood lovers will relish 'Prawns', 'Salmon' and 'John Dory' served here with Malaysian spices. The Thai curries in the main course are among the best in town but it will definitely take more than one visit to do justice to the plump spread here.