How do i name it?

Etho try panninen… not a spontaneous poem… thought through a lot !


Oh God,

Give me the brilliance to think the unthinkable, the ignorance to seek the unknown,
The innocence to blink at thoughts un understood;
Bestow me the power to forgive, the humbleness to repent,
The patience to deal people who neither forgive nor repent;
Give me the wisdom to understand that which needs tobe understood;
The foolishness not to understand that which need not be;
Give me the Companionship of Learned Men to illuminate myself,
The bliss of solitude, at times, to rejuvenate myself;
Grant me the ability to accept others for what they are
For they are better than me and part of thee;
Show me the path of righteousness in my quest for enlightenment,
The path of simplicity to achieve complex truths;
Grant me the liberation from pains and gains of this illusionary world. The journey is long and hard, I know, but I need to reach.

- Sreedharan Karthikeyan

Saapadu... Saapadu... Oh Yaa..

Apart from the regular Sangeethas, Saravana Bhavans, Hot Chips & Kai Yendhi Bhavans there are lots of ‘hang outs’ in Chennai which require a special mention for the terrific food they host. One such consolidation of restaurants which I have visited along with my friends all through 2006 and 2007 is below. The list is not exhaustive. ‘Miles to go before we sleep’. But this list will be very useful for people whose passion is to try out new restaurants and new cuisines.

Only Vegies:

Standard Disclaimer – the below order of restaurants does not convey any ratings. I have written down in that order which hit my mind.

a. Little Italy in Nungambakkam – Ah… Pure vegetarian Italian food served in a serene ambience. The salads and the Pastas and the Baked Vegetables. Oh My God… the tastes were in me for the next day too!

b. New Yorker in Uttamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam – This one is pure vegetarian too… Serves predominantly Italian and Mexican food. Those sizzlers should not be missed in your life time

c. Veg on the Edge, Anna Nagar – Specialises in North Indian food. Continental food is also served.

d. Gyaan Vaishnav in Mt. Road & Venkatnarayana Road – A traditional Punjabi dhabba which gives pure vegetarian food. They claim that all food is prepared using Mineral Water and the best thing is that the turn around time is so low. A good technique to get more people dine within a short span. This is so close to the Sathyam Theatre and so an ideal place for a date. A good plan will be to book for the ‘Couple ticket’ in Studio 5 for a night show and have a dinner in Gyaan Vaishnav. The one in the Venkatnarayana Road is a little bit cramped but the food quality is akin to the parent branch.

e. Murugan Idli Shop, Besant Nagar – Pure Vegetarian traditional tamilian cuisine. You name it; they have it. Speciality is the plantain leaf tiffin with no cups for sambars and chutneys. The main courses have got to be drenched in a litre or so of sambars and chutneys… Yes, typical tamilian style. Eventhough the cost is a bit on the higher side, its worth to fill your tummy here. Ah and you don't need a terrific ambience if you want to really tickle your taste buds

f. Mylai Masala – A small scale vegetarian restaurant definitely different from the normal ones.

g. Olives in Days Inn @ Deccan plaza, Royapettah – Oh! Jain cuisine. The moment you enter, the table cloth spreads out 49 reasons for you to believe in a vegetarian diet. A good buffet dinner with all sorts of food welcomes you. The ambience is also good and the tastes are ecstatic.

h. Kai yendhi Bhavan, Pondy Bazaar – believe it or not, there is a community in Orkut for this Kai yendhi Bhavan. You can see not less than hundred 2 wheelers and atleast a dozen of SUVs after 7 PM everyday… Now, do you get the spice of this atmosphere? Stand on your foot, hold a plate and eat as much as you like. Do not worry about the crowd; you will have a number of people serving you at no time. The best of the lot would be the podi dosa & idiappam. The list cannot end. You can finish off in a dessert with Kulfi.

i. Flower Drum, Egmore – Oops! Our latest find. One of the restaurants which serves Pure Vegetarian Chinese Cuisine. Even though the location of this restaurant is remote (it’s in Prince Plaza) and not that attractive, the interior deco of the restaurant is definitely attractive. The food is absolutely terrific. Another good venue for a date.

j. Seasons Cafe in Accord Metropolitan, GN Chetty Road – We had been to this restaurant during the food festival and the flavour was ‘Maami’s Menu’. No doubt, this program was a grand hit. All Thanjavur style food and the best part was the cup of filter coffee… Literally stunned. The best coffee I have ever had, to admit that I seldom drink coffee. Hmm… the crowd also had interestingly beautiful people and we had a terrific dinner.

k. Karpagambal Mess, Mylai – The sakarai pongal is a ‘Don't miss’ here. Somewhat similar to Murugan idli kadai in terms of quality and price. Heard that this Mess is there since time immemorial

l. Rangoli, Hotel SaravanaBhavan, T Nagar – Good Gujarati & Rajasthani unlimited food served to your tables. Been there for innumerable times. Very good variety of food at an affordable rate. A nice spot for a ‘budget treat’.

m. Nam Naadu @ Vasantha Bhavan, Vadapalani – Traditional Karaikudi cuisines are the predominant flavour, though you get the regular north indian and south indian stuff. The new one at the 100 feet road is very spacious and food is also good, forget the turn around time alone.

Both veg & non veg:
Being a vegetarian by birth and by choice, my first priority had always been a purely vegetarian restaurant. However, a slight amendment to the principle came in when I had to leave home for studies and work. I started having veg dishes in Multi Cuisine environment too! Call it being rational or fate. When you are in star hotels to get an experience, that amendment is damn necessary

a. Copper Chimney in Alwarpet – Not a very good ambience though, you get a variety of food here. Sea food is the speciality, I am told
b. Tangerine in Alwarpet
c. Spicy Hut in Alwarpet – The American Chopseys and the Orange Juices are really very good. A small restaurant with a capacity of not more than 20 people.
d. Noodle House in Food Court in Ascendas – hmm… Even though the Ambience is poor because of the noise from the whole food court, food seems to be good
e. Pizza Huts – Once upon a time when Pizza Huts had Salad Bars, those were my favourites. But somehow, it’s not to be seen anymore. Anyways, it will be a terrific evening for kids to play while they enjoy dinner
f. Anytime, GRT Grand, T Nagar – Phenomenal Buffet at an affordable price. Signature restaurant of GRT Grand
g. Pasta Fresca Da Salvatore in Thirumalai Pillai road – A truly good Italian restaurant with a good ambience
h. Dhabba Express in Cenotaph Road – The jilebes and the lassis are mouth watering stuff.
g. Esthel near Adayar Post Office – Nice ambience. They are the only people who serve a welcome drink for an ‘a la carte’ dinner. Food is also good.
h. Carnival Eat out – Teynampet – visited there long back and not able to recall the ambience and the food
i. Hotel Trident, GST road – Dinner here is not worth the money spent. The food is average whereas the costs are way above the worth
j. Rain Tree – This place is absolutely royal. Especially the roof top dining. Terrific atmosphere sets by around 7 PM with a cool breeze. If someone else hosts a party you can suggest this one.
g. Carnival Heights, PH Road – Chennai’s only revolving restaurant situated in the 7th floor in one of the busiest roads. You will happen to notice Chennai from all directions as you will complete 1 full revolution while you have your dinner.
h. Residency Towers, T Nagar – This place is claimed to be the best place for a perfect dinner. Been there for quite many times and enjoyed it every time. A gang of 20~30 people will make the party a memorable one.

Hmm… Enna irunthalum, evalavu panam kottinalum, amma seyara samayal maathiri entha ulagathillum kedaikaathu enbathu than unmai. Matrathellam maayai.