Few weeks back while I was in Chennai, I had to accompany my sister to a music concert near Gemini Flyover. I was given 2 options by sister; either attend the concert for 30 minutes and leave or drop her and come back after an hour. I happily chose the second option, this not because I didn’t want to attend the concert but because I had Woodlands drive in mind.
I dropped her at the venue and was headed to Woodlands Drive-in Restaurant. I was shocked to see the gate closed and a board of "Agri-Horticultural Society” in place of Woodlands drive-in. When I inquired with the security guy at the gate, he informed me that the gates of the Drive-in restaurant were closed for the public from April 12, and that the land that was leased had been taken back by the government. Ooh damn I was a week late, if only I had gone a week before I could have had something to eat one last time.
Woodlands has been one of the most prominent land marks of Chennai for ages. It’s sad to know that it will no longer be available for public. Woodlands is (or rather was) situated in the heart of the city bang opposite to the US Embassy. It’s a lovely place that cannot be replaced. Where else can you get a place situated in the heart of the city, filled with trees? It was filled with so many trees that you felt you were in a different city once in. It was one of my favorite hangouts in Chennai, probably would be right up there if you would ask me for my fav. places in Chennai.
It was not only about the delicious Sambar vadas, curd vadas, idly, dosai, and chole batura (infact all the items served there were good), but it was more about the place itself. The place was very peaceful isolated from the Chennai traffic and heat that all Chennaites are accustomed to. There have been many occasions when i used to get into the place to just relax myself under coolness of the big banyan tree. The best thing about the whole place was that you could order for just a plate of idly and still sit there in the restaurant for hours together.
Most of the Chennaites would tell you that their Sunday morning routine would be to go some temple followed by breakfast at either Woodlands, HSB or Rathna Cafe. It is a place that has given a lot of happy memories.
They say that in US many the business deals happen over a cup of coffee at Starbucks. This place was the Chennai substitute for Starbucks. Through the day you could see lot of salesmen all exchanging leads with one another. Last year while I was doing my summer internship, I happened to get few good leads talking to the other salesmen there.
Probably the next time I go to Chennai I will try to sneak in and get a picture taken. It is sad to know that a place that was part of Chennai Tradition will vanish forever now.
RJ
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