Bid goodbye to April with a dish you’ve never cooked before, an outfit you’ve never tried on or an activity that’s out of your comfort zone. The financial New Year has new things in store for those who love the city. So, perhaps it’s time for a new start!
Tourist Ticker:
If you can claim to have experienced every attraction that Pondy has to offer, don’t panic — there’s more to come. The new budget for the Union Territory announced earlier this week has some propositions to warm the cockles of the weekend traveller’s heart. Chunnambar Boat House, the gateway to the alluring Paradise Island, will see budget boathouses being launched in the coming year, along with a few eco-cottages on the island itself.
The Promenade, will be further extended, along the sea, making for longer strolls along the beach. If the view from the New Lighthouse had you in raptures, then the sand dunes in the area, will soon be another attraction to check out.
Tuck in
Roast on the rooftop: No, this has nothing to do with roasting under the summer sun in Pondy. But if you’re dying for some evening breeze and dreaming of backyard barbecues, The Terrace, the rooftop lounge at Atithi, might be of some consolation. The newly introduced ‘Grill on the Terrace’ brings a live barbecue of seafood, meat and vegetables, right to the table. The smoky flavours and the cool sea breeze may just whet your appetite. For reservations, call 0413-4500008.
Variety on a budget: Pondy’s many notable restaurants are popular for their limited and single cuisine menus rather than for taking the multicuisine route. But variety is the spice of life, seems to be the mantra of Le Royal Park on Kamarajar Salai. The special buffet this weekend features about two dozen vegetarian dishes and ten non-vegetarian dishes for Rs. 499. For reservations, call 0413 2231500.
Splurge
Fashion sale: Red hot chillies are one of the many images that typify an Indian summer. But for Casablanca, a landmark store located in a restored heritage building on Mission Street, the term is also associated with an unfailing annual ritual – the summer sale. On till May 17, the sale offers up to 70 per cent discount on various products, including women’s wear, curtains and home accessories. Also on offer are discounts on brands like Levis, Indian Terrain and Flying Machine.
Vintage spree: One of the city’s repository for vintage furniture, Cottonwood, has also switched to summer sales mode. From hand-crafted stools, stencilled chairs, and desks with endless drawers, Cottonwood, a French enterprise on Suffren Street (near Café des Arts) can throw up something interesting, if you look around. A 10 to 20 per cent discount on all their items might be right up the street of those who love anything from a bygone era. On till May 15.
Insider tip
There’s nothing like hearing it from the horse’s mouth — in the case of a weekend destination, nothing can beat the local dweller’s word! These are hints neither Google nor city guides will give you — they are locally kept secrets!
Teatime pangs: Can tea and only tea make your evenings complete? If you’re fed up with downing the milky variety or the weak, watered down stuff, management counsellor and avid blogger, Ashok Bhatia suggests you hit the hole-in-the-wall joint opposite Mithai Mandir on Ambour Salai for some real chai! And if you want to wash it down with a samosa that he vouches is the ‘least greasy in town’, walk up to Madhu Sweets on Mission Street, near Calve college. While you’re there, you might try sampling their Bengali sweets, particularly the Ras Kadams.
Experience
Cook up a storm at a heritage house: Among the handful of restored heritage homes in the Tamil Quarter, Maison Perumal, with its wood and spices ambience, is an oasis of quiet. The restaurant has one of the most minimalist of menus in town, but on weekends this summer, visitors can experiment cooking new dishes before sitting down to dinner. A fixed weekend lunch and dinner are also marked at special prices between Rs. 250 and Rs. 400 per person. To reserve for cooking demo and dinner, call 0413- 2227519.
Watch a play still in progress: The month-long tribute through dance, music and drama to the late theatre thespian and founder of Adishakti — Veenapani Chawla — comes to a close this weekend. Experimental theatre artiste Daniel Bye, who has a kitty of awards from performing across continents presents, ‘The Price of Everything’, a rare performance with extracts of his recent works and his work in progress. Touted to be engaging, provocative and entertaining by the organisers, the act will begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Adishakti on Edyanchavadi Road.
The party goes on: There seems to be no stopping the action on the dance floor at Umami on Labourdonnais Street, as it gears up for yet another dance-all-night this Saturday. DJ Sleepwalker will play live from 8 p.m. at the last party of the season at the restaurant lounge.
Circus in town: The famed Bombay Circus is halting in Pondy with three shows throughout the day. Go back to the world of acrobats, swinging trapezes and mind-bending gymnastics. At the AFT Ground, Cuddalore Road, from this weekend.
Classical binge: Kathak meets Bharatanatyam this Saturday at the Aurodhan Gardens at 8.30 p.m. For classical dance aficionadas, ‘Ektava’ by dancers Priyanka and Parinithia promises to be a double treat.
