The newly launched Woodlands Drive-In features at a one-acre land in Arumbakkam
| Picture Credit score:
Thamodharan B
For these of us who grew up in Madras, the reminiscence of Woodlands Drive-in won’t ever fade away. The restaurant, the place you may eat dosas from steel trays clamped to your automobile, was a peaceable retreat from the mud and din of town. The practically 12-acre land with a lush inexperienced cover of timber is over 100 years outdated and for sure its strategic location, within the coronary heart of Cathedral Street, was a terrific benefit
Playback Singer late P.B. Srinivas used to spend a few hours on the outdated Woodlands Drive-in on a regular basis for over 25 years
| Picture Credit score:
The Hindu archive
Its saga started in 1962, when the Agri-Horticulture Society agreed to sublet a portion of its land to Ok Krishna Rao, a hotelier, who had by then launched The New Woodlands Resort in Mylapore in 1952 serving Udupi-style delicacies in Madras. It was right here that many Chennaiites tasted their first chola bhatura and bread peas masala. Those that had the luxurious of vehicles, loved their meals and filter espresso in them, making this South India’s first drive-in restaurant.
One might stroll in by 6am for a cup of espresso and piping scorching pongal. The legacy lasted for six many years, when in April 2008 the lease ended and the Agri-Horticultural Society and the State Authorities determined to develop a botanical backyard (Semmozhi Poonga) and a horticulture analysis centre on this 320 grounds of prime land.
Masala dosa and filter espresso on the newly launched Woodlands Drive-In
| Picture Credit score:
Thamodharan B
Now after nearly 18 years, Woodlands is relaunching its most profitable model, Woodlands Drive-in, on a one-acre plot at Arumbakkam. The brainchild of Suchitra Rao, granddaughter of the founder, and Ram Bhat who runs Matsya at Udupi Residence, the house is designed to rekindle reminiscences of the previous.
“We discovered this huge piece of land within the coronary heart of town and we started to work on growing this right into a drive-in restaurant. That is nowhere compared to the older one which was sprawling, however we try to recreate that nostalgia. Now we have even created a PB Srinivas nook as properly in his reminiscence,” says Ram. The legendary singer Srinivas spent a few hours on the outdated Woodlands Drive-in on a regular basis for over 25 years.
The non-AC eating space
| Picture Credit score:
Thamodharan B
The AC eating space
| Picture Credit score:
Thamodharan B
Ram started to tidy up the land and planted saplings in 2021, nurturing the timber via the pandemic. The mushy launch occurred a number of weeks in the past and has generated a number of curiosity among the many public. “Many celebrities dropped by, curious to understand how this place seems. In the course of the 70’s and 80s Woodlands Drive-in was frequented by celebrities and movie stars,” says Ram.
He provides with a chuckle, “Apparently, salespersons would assemble on the restaurant by 8.30am, then go away on their rounds, and assemble once more by 6pm to debate gross sales over a cup of espresso, most likely making it town’s first co-working house! Additionally it was widespread to see matrimonial alliances happening, a practice that appears to proceed right here as properly.”
Founder Krishna Rao and his son seen with former TN Chief Minister MG Ramachandran at Woodlands Drive-In
| Picture Credit score:
Particular Association
On the newly launched drive-in, there’s house for about 20 vehicles and an air-conditioned eating space that may accommodate 100 friends. The verandah is non-ac and might accommodate 40 friends. Although the place is provided for automobile service, they don’t clamp metal trays to the door anymore as clients don’t need scratches on their vehicles. Ram says, “In these days, Woodlands Drive-in had a youngsters play space and pony rides. We plan to begin pony rides on weekends.”
Bread and peas masala
| Picture Credit score:
Thamodharan B
The outdated Woodlands Drive-in launched dishes similar to masala dosa, adai-avial, poori-Bombay saagu, kichadi, rava pongal, Mysore bonda, grape Juice and mosambi juice to Chennai. The brand new Arumbakkam house options all these in addition to North Indian, Chinese language and Continental meals, along with chaat, ice cream and truffles. Between midday and 3pm, they provide Madras meals (₹240), particular meals (₹280) and North Indian thali (₹370). Whereas the Madras meals serves rice , paruppu-nei (dal-ghee), sambar, rasam, vathakulambu, kootu, poriyal, curd, pickle and one candy, the particular meals has this plus soup, a starter and ice cream. .
“Now we have mounted outdated images from the sooner period on the partitions,” says Ram, explaining how the brand new house pays homage to the previous. “I’ve chosen Burberry granite stones for the desk tops, and all of the picket chairs have been made to order from Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The colour palette is inexperienced and yellow for that retro really feel. In a number of years, the timber within the campus will present a inexperienced cover which can make out of doors eating nice,” he provides.
Kasi halwa, carrot halwa and gulab jamoon
| Picture Credit score:
Thamodharan B
Numerous senior residents have already began strolling in for night espresso. “They arrive as a bunch, and a few of them even full their night stroll right here and go dwelling,” says Ram. To cater to this crowd there’s an ‘night snacks combo’ for ₹100 that includes Mangalore buns, Mangalore bondas and biscuit rotti. And sure, Kasi halwa, carrot halwa and gulab jamun, which have been standard on the legendary Woodlands, are nonetheless on the menu.
Drive-in Woodlands, Arumbakkam is open from 7am to 11pm (Each dine-in and automobile service). Name 9600684689
