Watched 21 - loved it.
Those who are looking for a good veg. restaurant can also check out ‘Rasam’ a Sri Krishna Sweets venture in Purasawakkam.
Use just dial for more info 
But the highlight of yesterday’s outing was the rain and my struggles to come home late night. Anna Salai is the only motorable road in Chennai on a rainy day. We are heading for adventurous times.
Cream Center:
Situated in Venkata Krishna Road in Mandavelli. The crowd and waiting time is quite remarkable for a vegetarian restaurant which is also a new entrant.
Cholayil Sanjeevanam:
Not exactly new as I remember Fathima taking us there two years back. Today I tried the one in Indira Nagar, Adyar and if anything, the menu and the food was even better. Their USP is providing food with an emphasis on ‘health’ and ‘nutrition’. Very interesting restaurant. Their Idly Uppuma was ‘exactly’ the way mom would make it at home. Overall a very interesting effort and theme and these players should be encouraged.
The food analysts that is me and Madhu whole heartedly give ‘EAT’ rating to both these restaurants
Kuttipriya tagged me for the important brands I cannot possible live without.
It’s another matter that we tend to confuse brands with fancy names, cute logos and stuff and the premium we pay. But good brands are the lifeline of the business and help get business done at a very individual level. Branding is a blend of product experience and reputation. If someone gives you Rs.1,00,000 without second thoughts perfectly sure that you will give him back on the said date, thats the power of brand YOU. Chances are, you’ve earned that reputation and trust over the past so many years. Enough of vetti gyaan:
On to my favorite brands:
Toothpaste: Colgate/Pepsodent.
I saw Colgate in my hotel in San Jose and called my friend in India and said, “Inga namba ooru item ellam kedaikudhu da, Colgate paste kooda irukku”.
He responded, “Vennai, adhu US company daan da!!”
Thats the extent to which Colgate had become ‘namba colgate’ to the average Indian.
Soap: Hamam
Honestly, i have not given much thought to this item. Its always Hamam by default at home for the last so many years, so soap means Hamam it is.
Shaving Kit: Gillette
Gillette. Now, if only I had the power to award Nobel, i would first do to the design team in Gillette. I mean thats sheer genius. I dont have words to describe anything else. I’v been using 7′0 Clock for a long time. It was not until my US trip when i moved to the Gillette Mmach 3 Turbo at my friend’s insistence, and i completley fell in love it. Suddenly Shaving is not a chore, its almost impossible to scare your cheeks, absolute fata fat. I’m a Gillette guy and feel honored to be so.
Phone: Nokia
More specifically 1108. Don’t sweat. Its not available anymore. But man, what an instrument!
It should’ve fallen from my bed and from the sleeper coach berths at least a dozen times. It holds the charge for like 3/4 days. I feel 1108 and cockroaches have one thing in common - both can survive a nuclear explosion.
My friend has a Nokia, whose keypad should’ve consumed more sambhar than my friend herself and yet works. Not exactly the qualities Nokia would love to advertise but these are the thing which makes a product endearing for me.
Favorite Shopping place: Nungambakkam Landmark (Not Citicenter, not Spencers)
Forget the limited parking space, forget the head scratching deemed to be security guy who is more keen to get a buck or two than help you with parking. There’s just no better place to spend 3 hours browsing books and come out without spending a paisa. My weekends are not complete without a visit to this place.
Shoes: Skechers/Bata
I was introduced to the comforts of Skecher very recently and am loving it. Prior to that ‘Footwear is Bata’.
Camera: Nikon
I shifted to Nikon from Canon AE-1, a legend in its own right. My dad was always fascinated by a Nikon SLR, so we bought one Nikon FG second hand in 1993. Ever since I’ve been a Nikon addict. I do think Canon makes better optics but Nikon is sheer bliss to handle.
Watch: Casio
People who know me well would’ve noticed an old, worn out black Casio calculator watch usually tried by school kids. I should’ve changed the strap atleast ten times. And yet I retain the watch. I did not even buy this one. I got it as a gift from Priyums several years back and I am sure she might’ve forgotten it as well. I did buy a Wenger when I was in San Jose. A tumble down from our dining table and its been stuttering ever since. So much for expensive watches. Casio for ever.
Bike: Hero Honda
I’ve been a proud owner of one Hero Honda or the other for the past 15 years and I have not felt a need to change so far. Maybe I would in the future.
Refrigerator: Whirlpool
When I decided to change my old fridge, my mom had one requirement, ‘It can be anything, but make sure its a Whirlpool’.
Eateries:
I would get straight to hell in a hurry, if i talk about my brands and not talk about my favorite eateries. Nothing epitomises the power of branding than the likes of the below mentioned best places and the dishes to have those:
Butter Dosai - Coimbatore Paati Amma Stall
Podi Dosai - Karthik Tiffin Center, i’ve come to like these gradually. Not for the light hearted though.
Jigir Dhanda - M M Stall, South Masi St, Madurai
Rava Roast, Idly Sambhar - Rathna Cafe
Benjorang - Best Thai food in Chennai
Fruit Juice - Kovai Pazhamudhir Nilayam - Chennai, CBE