Metro secrets - Chennai

EAT

First class
The place: The Dakshin
Where: Park Sheraton Hotel, TTK Road
Why it’s hot: This is one South Indian restaurant that has stood the test of time and is visited by almost every CEO in Chennai. A.R. Rehman also drops in whenever he is here. Bell-type chandeliers welcome you at the entrance. The authenticity of the cuisines can be seen from the way the starters are made in front of you. Everything is served on a plantain leaf. Among nonvegetarian food, the Nandu Puttu (shelled crab meat) from Kerala and Venchai Maamsam (boneless lamb) from Andhra are popular.
Must try: Banana Dosa and Nandu Puttu
Cost: Rs 3,000 for two
Open: 12.30 p.m. to midnight.
Contact: 044-24994101

Business class
The place: The Silk Restaurant
Where: Asiana Hotel, Old Mahabalipuram Road
Why it’s hot: This essentially Thai restaurant with its coconut dominated dishes is a favourite among coastal dwellers. Three female chefs from Bangkok are responsible for the great food.
Must try: Phad Thai and Thai soups
Cost: Rs 2,500 for two
Open: 12.30 p.m-11.30 p.m.
Contact: 044-67411000

Economy class
The place: Woodlands Tiffin Room
Where: 3 Nageshwara Rao Road, Panagal Park
Why it’s hot: This has stood the test of time. It serves a wide range of paranthas with all side dishes. All varieties of dosas, pongal and vadas are also on offer. The special lunch thali costs Rs 90.
Must try: Rava Dosa and Rasa Vada
Cost: Rs 200 for two
Open: 8 a.m.-10.30 p.m.
Contact: 044-24346627

STEP OUT

Short trip
The place: Pulicat Lake
Where: About 60 kms from Chennai
Why it’s a must visit: This is about a million years old. It has a waterspread of 350 kms and is the second-largest lagoon in India. The water is used for flat boat sailing. Low sand dunes provide an ideal picnic spot, and if one has a taste for adventure one can head to the mouth of the lake about 4 kms north-east across deep waters. Over here is the Karimanal village, which was a berthing spot for the Dutch and British. The lake is also frequented by migratory birds.
How to get there: Take the Chennai-Nellore highway

 

Shorter trip
The place: Kolathur
Where: 30 kms from Chennai
Why it’s a must visit: At Kolathur, ornamental fish are bred and you will find them in delightful colours. Shops that sell fish will willingly advise you on varities of fish which can co-exist in an aquarium, besides offering choices in terms of accessories—underwater plants, coloured pebbles, purifiers and medicines. All these (including fish) can be packed and sent to your address anywhere in India.
How to get there: Take the Poonamallee High Road and then the Kolkata highway

CHECK OUT

The place: Dakshina Chitra
Where: East Coast Road, Muttukadu
Why you must see it: This is a heritage protection museum that caters largely to the preservation of ancient arts, handicrafts and culture of south India. The villages have been re-created here complete with old style houses. There is a very good library that gives you a peek into Indian art and culture, a restaurant and a gallery which hosts exhibitions. Guests can learn pottery, palm leaf decoration, pot painting, how to make terracotta dolls and kalamkari, peepul leaf painting here. There are additional activities during weekends like glassblowing and puppet shows.
Open: Daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. except on Tuesday
Entry fee: Rs 50 per adult, Rs 25 (between 15 and 18 years); Rs 15 for children below 12 and no tickets for children below 5 years

 

WALK

The place: Fort St George
Why you should take this walk: This was among the first outposts of the East India Company in India. When the British came in 1639, this was a small area called Beri Timappa. As you cross the moat and enter the fort, walk down the street which used to mark the segregated areas. Inside its walls you’ll come across the St Mary’s Church, which is the oldest Anglican Church in the country. An interesting footnote: Robert Clive got married in this church. You can also visit the Fort Museum.
After the walk: Head to Sarvana Bhavan on Mount Road for a warm cup of filter coffee.

SURF

The place: Moore Market
Where: Dr Radhakrishnan Salai
Why it’s a must visit: Though Chennai is famous for its Higginbothams, Landmark, Odyssey, Fountainhead and Kennedy Bookstalls, the Moore market complex is a real treasure trove. This hosts over 65 bookstores and many shops sell only new books by just keeping a 5 per cent margin. “These books are sold at 25 per cent discount,” says a shop owner, Khader. Drop in here, for a copy of a book you have been searching for long.
Open: Monday to Saturday

My favourite bookstore

Sridhar Ganesh, HR executive and book lover: At Fountainhead I find great variety in management books as well as fiction and non-fiction stuff. The atmosphere in the store helps me unwind besides keeping me updated.

SHOP

The place: Kuralagam
Where: Broadway, opposite Law College
Why you must shop here: The city’s biggest Khadi outlet has everything symbolic of Tamil Nadu—silks, handmade paper, white metal statuettes and Tanjore paintings.
Contact: 044-24341565