Weakend

We were at Mathura on Saturday, trying to pep up an elderly relative couple's life. I should clarify I mean Mathura Restaurant, at Tarapore Towers on Mount Road. Each time I go there, the lighting to me is reminiscent of a very shady bar ideal for some hanky panky. But the old Thanjavur paintings and the highly decorative pooja space alters that perception. Anush loved the corn(y) soup which was only a few healthy steps away from the Rajdhani excuse of a soup. The food was decent and the service extremely good. The noise levels were deafening though.

Soon after, we visited the quietest and most forlorn looking Rasi Silks ( they have a discount sale on) and found a beautiful pattu paavadai for Anush. She was very vocal in her choice" Amma Anushka doesn't want red paavadai - only silver grey" I could not convince her otherwise.

Poompuhar has an exhibition of paintings and we procured a lovely ethnic mirror with a painted frame and a Ravi Varma print- Milkmaid. I like this style called Kerala Mural but I want a painting not a reprint. Should check with an art school in Kerala maybe....and that is why the post title- completely weakened with desire for these paintings.

Sunday we went for a vallakaapu ceremony in the building and Anush and another kid managed to scratch themselves, in no time, with the glass bangles given to them. I hope better sense prevails and children are given metal or plastic bangles instead. ( which is what I had done)

Visited Noodle House and French loaf also over the weekend ( the new Velachery branch ) Heavy non veg smell in the soup but they were very prompt in replacing it. Another bowl of soup relished by Anushka. Darsaan was excellent.

As a veggie mom , I wonder if we should let her try some non veg. Navy is against it but I wonder, why not? Atleast fish, since it is supposed to be so good for health.

Parfait 3

Went to this restaurant ( in Velachery) by that fancy name a couple of nights back

Essentially a bistro it serves a lot of hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, cakes and cookies ( very home made tasting and well made too) Also a few pastas.

Very nice ambiance though rather cramped. Avoid if you cannot stand the slight non veg smell that whiffs by every now and then. For me, the smell of bakes more than made up

They also have a child friendly menu. Must try the roof top experience next time( it was raining that day)

Velachery is indeed happening and some one seems to be listening to me

We are getting a Big Buzaar type of mall some where at the Brett property, a Rex Fashions and the Naihaa outlet I spoke about are opening shortly. Kumarakom has also opened a branch as has Nala Appam Kadai for the nonveg buffs.

Viva Velachery

Reliance is opening a retail outlet in Velachery, walking distance from home.
Bang opposite is a Retail Management Institute. Some coincidence this!
The Nilgiris, next door to me, is not at all worried about the competetion.
I say, more the merrier for me as a consumer.

Most of the regulars here know that I am a keen announcer of any developments in my locality- Velachery

We will shortly have:
Karaikudi- a Chettinadu restaurant- not to my taste but a lot of my non veg colleagues swear by it
Chat.com- a small joint on the taramani road
Style Spa- the ex- Gautier outlet
Naihaa- to join the already inaugurated but not very well stocked Naidu Hall

Is someone listening out there??

There is still ample room for Subway, the movie multiplex and rotiwali bai.

Vibrant Velachery

I had to exceed my quote of one post a day. I am really excited that Velachery is becoming so hep and happening. ( so far, that I live there used to be Velachery's claim to fame. Just kidding. )

Clothing- Naihaa ( Naidu Hall), Venfield, Arrow Van Heusen ( all seconds of most major brands)
Footwear- Adidas, Reebok, Woodlands, Snazzy
Leather- Modskin
Eateries- Rathna Cafe, Dominos Pizza, Cakes and Bakes, Wangs Kitchen & Ascendes ( in Velachery's back yard) apart from the modest Krishna Boli ( ref to the OTBT- Foodie series)
Electronics- Sony showroom, Univercell
Apartments- Three Ceebros projects on the same road. So many high rise buildings that it almost resembles Hiranandani, Powai.
Department Stores- Spencers, Royal Shoppe, Trinetra, Latas, Cee dee Yes, Sekars, Vasanth, Nilgiris is coming by month end.
(Pre)Schools- About 4 reputed ones, The International school, Nav Disha, Marg, Daffodils
Most importantly- the people- as cosmopolitan as you get in Chennai with a lot of the IT crowd choosing to stay here

Untapped Business Ideas for Velachery ( money spinners as per my definition)
A multiplex- charge a premium on the ticket , have limited seating but save me the trouble of having to go out to Mayajaal or Sathyam
Eateries- An Italian Restaurant & an Ajnabee/ Gangotree or any other authentic chaat place
A good western dance / workout place like Swingers
A good book shop such as Landmark
Proper phulka/roti making for the burgeoning single, North Indian crowd
A vada pav/ bhajjiya shop servicing the night workers in the IT offces based here

Any takers?