Three of my most favorite dining spots in Chennai have now become part of history.  Unlike today, during eighties when I was at IIT Madras we did not have many places to hang out. One of my favorite hangout spots then, used to be the Spencer’s coffee shop located in Mount Road where today’s modern Spencer plaza is located.  I have many fond memories of spending time with my friends in this coffee shop. We used to take 19S or 23 C to reach mount road from IIT.  Built on  colonial European style Spencer’s used to be a major landmark in Chennai.  Mount road then was very clean, with minimal traffic plying; the roads were broad with no service barricades and used to resemble a runway.

Old Spencer’s Plaza - Source Picasweb Maheswar’s Public Gallery

Through our cultural programme at IIT which was then known as Mardigras, (German name to reinstate our association with Germany was later rechristened as Saarang), we had acquaintances with students from other institutes in the city.   Especially the other gender who were like the rare species of black bucks at IIT Campus.  It was a great joy to catch up with friends and have coffee in the Spencer’s coffee shop, stroll around Mount Road and browse through books in Higginbotham’s and the pavement bookshops.  We also used to watch films either in Saffire, Devi Paradise, Alankar or Anand theatre located on Mount Road.

When I returned back to Chennai in 1999 I was shocked to know that the old Spencer’s plaza got gutted down by fire and a massive Spencer’s shopping mall had sprung up in its place.  I somehow do not feel like visiting the new Spencer’s plaza because it always reminds me of the old Spencer plaza building, the coffee shop and fond memories of the same resurfaces till date.

This year another favorite dining spot of mine “Drive in Woodlands” has gone into oblivion; Converted into a horticultural park now. This restaurant provided a different dining experience of having your snack or Tiffin while seated inside a car, be it a quick brunch or a relaxed get-together.  Whenever we had guests coming down to Chennai, visit to Drive in Woodlands is a must and it will be in the Madras Darshan Itinerary.  Once an aunt of mine who had come from Kolkata, on visiting Drive in Woodlands remarked, are Madrasis so lazy that they don’t step out of their cars to have snacks.

I had been to Drive in so many times that I  always recall  names of the waiters who used to serve food. The quality of food  and the general level of service used to be very good.  My morning walks to Marina beach had a different attraction for me and that was to stop by at Drive in for hot Pongal, Vada and Coffee.   It is sad to note that this favorite dining spot of mine which used to serve finest south Indian cuisine is no more functional now.

The 3rd favorite dining spot to be added to the list is “Matchpoint” at “Taj Coramandel”.  Apart from the usual Taj quality, the restaurant had a perfect setting against the pool side and the ambience was good.  With the band playing Indian and Western music and entertaining audience with their favorite numbers, many a times I have requested the band to play my favorite tunes and also danced at times on the floor along with my friends. Whenever I had doubts on where I should take my guests, I used to settle for match point.  I recall on one occasion when the dish I had ordered was served pretty late, they did not charge me for that dish. The care and quality of service provided by the staff members needs to be appreciated.  The roasted turkey which is served during New Year’s Eve was a special attraction to me.  Match point is now shifted from the basement and is rechristened as Anise which I find extremely difficult to identify with; somehow the name itself is quite unappealing and foreign to me.