SPOTLIGHT

Travel&Shop Rooftop dining on Race Course DINE AL FRESCO AT THE DELIGHTFUL MULTICUISINE RESTAURANT INDCHICOO AT POPPYS TOWER

BY SMITI JAIN NARAYAN

Indchicoo, the recently opened multicuisine restaurant at Poppys Tower is a delightful new addition to Coimbatore’s foodscape. The rooftop restaurant in the prime location of

Race Course Road serves Indian, Chinese and Continental cuisines. With a choice of outdoor and indoor seating, Indchicoo is the perfect eating out place for lunch and dinner, with 60 covers outside, and 40 covers inside. The roof top is retractable so it can be closed in case of rain or extreme sunlight. There are four pergolas under which people can sit comfortably.

The menu is hand-picked with a host of dishes a la carte in each of the cuisines, with delicious veg and non-veg choices. Signature items on the menu include the spicy Chengdu Chicken (Szechuan stir fry chicken cubes cooked in Chinese wine), Chicken Satay (seasoned

skewered and grilled chicken), Pathar Ka Gosht, Peshawari Jhinga (succulent marinated prawn roasted to perfection), Nalli Rogan Josh, Peking Chicken (pot roasted chicken with five spices), Phuket Fish (a popular and unique fish fillet dish), Dum Biryani, noodles and lots more.

For the vegetarians, speciality dishes include Malaysian Cottage Cheese, Mushroom Galouti (succulent minced vegetarian kebabs), Paneer Ka Sooley (soft morsels of paneer with aromatic spices grilled to perfection) and other delicacies to be relished. In desserts, try the exotic Mud Souffle (an exotic chocolaty French dessert), Fried Ice Cream, Sizzling Brownie, Malai Ghevar (a Rajasthani speciality), Jill Jill Thanda (a popular dessert from Madurai with milk, ice cream and almonds), and other delightful fare.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, you can enjoy live Western music with a guitarist.

While Indchicoo serves only a la carte food for lunch and dinner, in the morning they have a breakfast buffet for room guests but even customers

can walk in from outside for a sumptuous spread with live counters. Apart from a la carte dishes, a “heavenly lunch” has been introduced where one can order a pre-decided fixed menu for a group lunch like ladies kitty parties, family gatherings or corporate group for 20-30 people, with a special curated menu in veg or non-veg as per specifications. Indchicoo is a great place to host birthday parties, family dinners, corporate lunches and dinners as well. Dine in style in a rooftop ambience with scrumptious multicuisine fare at Indchicoo at Poppys Tower with friends, family and colleagues.

INDCHICOO - POPPYS TOWER Race Course Road; Tel: 434-6644 Timing: 12noon-3pm & 7pm–11.30pm.

ANNALAKSHMI RESTAURANT

3rd Floor, Pazhamudir Nilayam Building, 41, Govt Arts College Road; Tel: 230-2142, 420-4213, 12noon-3.30pm & 6.30pm-9.30pm. State of art kitchen and banquet. High standards, Quality, Hygiene. Annalakshmi unique cuisine also at Chennai, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia. Avg meal for two, Rs 750. EDELWEISS RESTAURANT & LAWN

Poppys vista, Avinashi Road, Tirupur; Tel: 04296-304-300, 272-101, 7am- 11.30pm. All day dining restaurant and lawn with Children’s play area serving excellent International and local cuisines at great value. Ample parking available. Avg meal for two, Rs 1000. SMS HOTEL 1335, Avinashi Road, Peelamedu; Tel: 99449- 88090, 12noon-3pm & 7pm-11pm, Avg meal for two, Rs 300-1000. 24/7 BYTES Gokulam Park, 116/2, Avinashi Road, Mylampatti, Chinnayampalayam Post Tel: 262-6030. : 7am-10.30am & 12.30pm-3pm & 7pm-11pm.Avg meal for two Rs 850. BRO’TAA Sathy Road, Ganapathy; Tel: 497-1597, 98941-58777, 11am-10pm, Avg meal for two, Rs 400. TIFFINYS Hotel Alankar Grande, 10, Ram Nagar Tel: 437-8888, Avg meal for two, Rs 800. DINDUGAL TIME PASS RESTAURANT 212, TV Samy Road East, RS Puram; Tel: 96866- 12009, 11am-11pm, Avg meal for two, Rs 500. CREAM CENTRE 180, TS Road, Race Course Tel: 434-8889, 98430-48091, 11am-3.30pm & 6.30pm-10.30pm. Sat & Sun 11.30am10.30pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 1000. NARMADA Sree Annapoorna Hotels, 75, East Arokiasamy Road, RS Puram Tel: 254-7722, 11.30am-3.30pm & 7pm-10.30pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 450. GARDEN COUNTRY Hotel Grand Tree, 65, Lajapathirai Street, Ramnagar; Te: 421-7121, 83005-20103, 8am-11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 700. GOLDEN CROP Hotel CAG Pride, 312, Bharathiar Road Tel: 431-7777, 12pm-3pm & 7.30pm-10.30pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 500. BAZAAR Zone by The Park, 33/3, Near Lakshmi Mills Avinashi Road Tel: 400-5000. 24 hours. Avg meal for two, Rs 1200.

THE GREAT 80’S KITCHEN 3, SND Layout 2, Cross Cut Road, Gandhipuram; Tel: 496-1666, 496-1777, 11am-11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 200. PALMS Hotel Rathna Residency, 355, Variety Hall Road Tel: 422-5666, 7pm-11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 850. PEPPER BELLS Svarga Residency, 85, 1A Arun Nagar, Maruthamalai Main Road, Vadavalli Tel: 242-6655, 242-7677. 6am-10am, 12noon5pm & 7pm-11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 400. HONEY DEW Hotel Chenthur Park, 10/1-9 Avinashi Road, Near Coimbatore Airport, SITRA Tel: 427-9111/ 333. Open 24 hours. Avg meal for two, Rs 550. TIFFANYS 54, Nehru Stadium Tel: 422-0888, 77080-35888, 12.30pm-3.30pm & 7.30pm-10.30pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 250. AJANTHA Mesabel Hotel, 24, Grey Town Tel: 238-0216, 7am-4pm & 7pm-10pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 250. ORCHID Park Plaza, 90/62, Geetha Hall Road Tel: 436-4646, 7am-10.30am, 12-3pm, 7pm –10 pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 300. PARUVAA Heritage Inn, 73, Sivasamy Road, Ramanagar Tel: 223-1451, 7am-10.30am, 12.30pm-3pm & 7pm-10.30pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 950. ROBOT THEME RESTAURANT 1078, 1st Floor, Senthil Towers, Avinashi Road; Tel: 89396-66464, 12 noon-11pm. DINE AND WINE Grand Plaza, 58B, Railway Station, Geetha Hall Road Tel: 230-2677, 7am-11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 500. ON THE GO 167, Race Course Road Tel: 452-0116/7 12.30pm-3pm. 7pm-10.30pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 800. HARI BHAVANAM l2, Bharathi Colony, Peelamedu Tel: 439-8122, 11.45am-11pm l4th Street, Gandhipuram Tel: 98943-71111, 12noon-10.30pm. lRTO Office Tel: 98947-01300, 12noon-6.30pm. lGoldwins Tel: 90801-80000, 11.45am-11pm. lProzone Mall Tel: 77089-10005, 11am-10.30pm, Avg meal for two, Rs 300. FOUR CUPS FUSION VEG DINING Fortune Suites, 1st Floor, Above Poppat Jamal, 134, East Periasamy Road, RS Puram; Tel: 77084-74764, 11am-11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 500. DEWZ The Orbis Hotel, 1562 Avinashi Road, Hope College Tel: 439-9988, 12.30pm-3.30pm & 7.30pm-11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 700.

NORTH WEST FRONTIER THAT’S Y FOOD 24/49, TV Swamy (East), RS Puram Tel: 436- 5117/8, 12.30pm-3.30pm & 7pm-11pm, Avg meal for two, Rs 800. AFGHAN GRILL

The Residency Towers, 1076, Avinashi Road Tel: 224-1414, 7pm-12am Open-to-sky barbecue evening restaurant by the poolside. Open only for dinner in a romantic setting. Avg meal for two, Rs 2600. CONTINENTAL THE FRENCH DOOR 102, West Bhashyakaralu Road, RS Puram; Tel: 254-8400, 11am-11pm. LEIDEN RESTAURANT 1433-A, Annai Illam, Avinashi Road, Peelamedu Tel: 98949-93197, 11am-11pm. BIRD ON TREE 28, Opposite circuit House,Kamaraj Road, Race Course; Tel: 98658-31000, 12pm-3pm &7pm-10.30pm, Avg meal for two, Rs 1000. CHETTINAD BUFFET THE RESTAURANT 369 A, Inside Blue Star Hotel, Nehru Street, Ramnagar Tel: 223-0635, 7.30am-10.30am, 12.30pm-3.30pm & 7pm-11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 500. PATTUKOTTAI MESS 48, TV Swamy Road West, R.S. Puram; Tel: 87606-77774, 12noon-4pm & 7.30- 11pm, Avg meal for two, Rs 500. PARAMBARIYAM Sree Daksha’s Sanshray, Thondamuthur Road, Vadavalli; Tel: 297-1260, 12.30pm-3.30pm & 7.30pm-10.30pm, Avg meal for two, Rs 500. ANJAPPAR CHETTINAD RESTAURANT 356, Bharathiar Road, Gandhipuram; Tel: 252- 4441, 11am-11pm, Avg meal for two, Rs 700. ITALIAN FAVOLA

Le Meridien, 762, Avinashi Road, Neelambur; Tel: 236-4343, 7pm-11pm. The authentic taste of Italy. Rustic interiors overlooking the pool. Stone fire oven pizzas, antipasti, pasta, salads, seafood, poultry, red meats, desserts and international wines. Avg meal for two, Rs 2200. PIZZERIA Bazaar, Zone by The Park, Avinashi Road; Tel: 400-5000, 11am-11pm. 10” thin crust wood fired pizzas made by the chef according to your wish of ingredients. Avg meal for two, Rs 800. BOOM CAFE 54/37, Bharathi Park Road, Saibaba Colony; Tel: 73737 30715, 11am-10.30pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 500.

PAN ASIAN PONZU

Le Meridien, 762, Avinashi Road, Neelambur Tel: 236-4343, 7pm-11pm. A variety of Thai, Japanese, Chinese and Mongolian cuisines with live cooking stations. Avg meal for two, Rs 1500. WOKERIE Bazaar, Zone by The Park, 33/3, Near Lakshmi Mills, Avinashi Road; Tel: 400-5000, open 24 hours. Avg meal for two, Rs 800+tax.

CHINESE RED PEARL

Vivanta - COIMBATORE , 105, Race Course Road, Gopalapuram; Tel: 668-1000, 12.30pm-3pm & 7.30pm-11.30pm. China on a plate. One of the best Chinese restaurants in Coimbatore, serving the most authentic and exotic Oriental dishes. The best contemporary Chinese cuisine in a modern yet traditional setting. Avg meal for two, Rs 2500+. CHIN CHIN

The Residency Towers, 1076, Avinashi Road Tel: 224-1414, 12.30pm3pm & 7.30pm-11.30pm. The best Chinese cuisine in town. Chef’s signature dishes like Drums of Heaven, Honey Chilly Lotus stem, Dimsums and Fried Ice Cream. Private dining room can seat 16 people. Avg meal for two, Rs 1750. NINHAO 276B, NSR Road, Saibaba Colony; Tel: 244-5652, 10.30am-3.30pm & 6.30pm-11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 700 CHINA VALLEY 1197, Trichy Road, Ramanathapuram Tel: 230-3279, 11am-3.30pm & 6pm-11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 800 THE CASCADE l 479 – B1 , Avinashi Road, Peelamedu; Tel: 256-8888 l DB Road, RS Puram; Tel: 435-8888, 12.30–3pm & 7pm–11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 1200,

CAFÉS SHIVANJALI CAFÉ 3, New Thillai Nagar, Maruthamalai Road, PN Pudur; Tel: 243-5572, 3pm–9.30pm, closed on Mondays. Avg meal for two, Rs 200

CAFÉ TOTARAM 245/1, Raheja Apartment, Race Course; Tel: 436-4116/7, 12noon-10pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 600. THE HOT CHOCOLATE 1, Grand Cag Central, Avinashi Road, Peelamedu; Tel: 495-3555, 10am-11pm. Avg cost for two, Rs 400. KITES CAFÉ 267, BR Puram, Avinashi Road, Tel: 438-5050, 11am–11pm. Avg meal for two, Rs 450 CITRUS CAFÉ 173/3 & 174/4, Sri Rangalu Naidu Farms, Vilankurichi Road, Kalapatti; Tel: 220-5666, 88502-65565. 24-hour coffee shop. Avg meal for two, Rs 1300++

TEA HOUSE CHAI N GUPSHUP 201, Sambantham Road (East), RS Puram; Tel: 436-9848, 9.30am-9pm.Avg cost for two, Rs 250. STANES ICED TEA Stanes Tea & Coffee Show Room, 1597, Trichy Road; Tel: 658-6426, 222-1513, 9am-6pm. Avg cost for two, Rs 40. PARRIS TEA CORNER 9/23, Grey Town; Tel: 93448-55665, 9.30am-7.30pm. Avg cost for two, Rs 20.

BAKERS KRAVE

The Residency Towers,1076, Avinashi Road; Tel: 224-1414, 11am–6am. The ultimate place to order cakes of your fantasy. Offers quick bites like samosa, sandwiches, rolls, mouth-watering chocolates and Gateaux. Bulk orders and eggless items undertaken too. LONGITUDE 77 Le Meridien, 762, Avinashi Road; Tel: 236-4343.Filled with the rich aroma of freshly-brewed coffee and baked delights, with signature éclairs and panjamiratham (a south Indian fruit dessert). TEA LOUNGE Radission Blu , 164-165, Avinashi Road, Peelamedu; Tel:222-6000 , 10am – 9pm The right place to order rich cakes with choices, breads, exotic chocolates and nippy bites with mind refreshing tea and coffee. CHOCKO CHOZA l18-A, Perriyaswamy Road (East) RS Puram Tel: 436-9437 lFun Mall; Tel: 82204-00100 lBrookfields: 82204-00100,l4-479, Avinashi Road, Peelamedu; Tel: 436-9537, 11am11pm. 10am-11pm. SWEET SHOPS RHR SWEETS 42, No 27, RHR building, RHR Hotel, State Bank Road; Tel: 230-2736, 439-1391, 6am-11pm

SRI KRISHNA SWEETS HOUSE l 342, Raja Street Tel: 239-5330 l Ramanathapuram; Tel: 231-5747 l Govt Arts College Road; Tel: 221-0747 l Vadavalli; Tel: 242-2633 l Gandhipuram; Tel: 252-0870 l Kovaipudur; Tel: 260-7511 l Railway Station Road; Tel: 230-2929, 8.30am-9.30pm. MOONDRU KAMBAM NELLAI MUTHU VILAS SWEETS & BAKES

422A, Palakkad Main Road, Kuniamuthur; Tel: 72000-19129, 9am-10pm. • Gandhipark; Tel: 239-7548, 98422-61717 • Sivanandha Colony; Tel: 438-2266, 97870-19129 •Saibaba Colony; Tel: 495-3545, 96778-84695 • Vysial Street; Tel: 95853-81717. House of exclusive Indian sweets, savouries and snacks. Committed to best quality, professionalism, hygiene, service and reliability, with state of the art manufacturing, for complete trust and satisfaction of customers. praveenshah2010@yahoo.com, www.nellaimuthuvilas.in ADYAR ANANDA BHAVAN l 313, Bharathiyar Road, Gandhipuram; Tel: 252-1919 l SBI Road; Tel: 405-4999, 7am-10.30pm lThadagam Road; Tel: 436-9995, 12noon-9pm l142, Sanganoor Village, Mettupalayam Road; Tel: 438-5007 l West Sambandam Road, RS Puram; Tel: 75500-23335 12noon-9pm. BANAANAA SLICE l 44, Kalingarayan Street, Ramnagar Tel: 223-1067 l 317, Arokyasamy Street, NSR Road, Saibaba Colony; Tel: 438-4067 l Mullai Nagar, Maruthamalai Main Road, PN Pudur Tel: 422-1067 l Goldwins; Tel: 87549-8106 l 7Thennampalayam; Tel: 93631-02862, 10am-10pm. ICE CREAM PARLOURS BON BON ICE CREAM l 62, Nehru Stadium Road; Tel: 98421-12426 l DB Road, RS Puram; Tel: 70108-12705 l Bharathy Nagar, Ganapathy; Tel: 86672-59207. 10.30am–11pm. IBACO l1392,Avinashi Road, Peelamedu Tel: 9894265830 lSaibaba Colony; Tel: 98401-43089 lRamanathapuram; Tel: 96884-44401, lKrishnaswamy Mudaliar Road, RS Puram; Tel: 97893-00699 lBrookfield’s Mall; Tel: 97893-00699 11am-11pm. ESKIMOS 65, East lokamanya Street, RS Puram; Tel: 96555-97448, 11am–11pm.

REWIND, REBOOT, RESTART MUSEUMS, GARDEN, PARKS...

Lush green mountains and plantations abound in Ooty. Spread over 36 sq. km, it’s 7350 feet above sea level. Vast plantation of eucalyptus, pine and wattle stretch between the few untouched meadows that remain of the preBritish Ooty. No wonder, it’s the place to get away from it all. Here is where you can rewind, reboot and restart your life every season. With temperatures relatively consistent throughout the year, it’s the best summer retreat for anyone wanting to beat the summer heat. Enjoy!

COONOOR

At a slightly lower altitude (2000 metres), this is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiri Hills and is a small tea garden town where the weather remains pleasantly cool throughout the year. The place is perfect for trekking and picnicking, with grassy spots and spectacular views. It is famous for bird watching and birds such as vultures, eagles, owls, bulbuls, thrushes, bablers, larks, cuckoos and robins.

KANDAL CROSS SHRINE

A Roman Catholic Shrine, this is considered the Jerusalem of the East. Catholics consider the shrine as the ‘Calvary of Tamil Nadu’. Special Novena Prayers and Holy Masses are offered every Friday. The annual feast is held on 3rd March.

NILGIRIS LIBRARY It is a treasure trove of precious documents, biographies and old books, many of them rare volumes on travel and Ooty. The library was begun as a public reading room and later built up as it stands today, in 1868. Today, it is run by a private committee.

OOTY CLUB This club offers entertainment as well as information. It has a collection of albums of yellowing photographs, newspaper clippings and hand-drawn cards, among other things. The club building was originally the mansion of Sir William Rumbold, a wealthy businessman from Hyderabad, who built it in the 1820s. Regal, imposing and exclusive, the club is still maintained as it was in British time. The club is for members and their guests only. STONE HOUSE This is the first bungalow to be built in town, which was the residence of John Sullivan, the founder of Ooty and at that time, the collector of Coimbatore. The tribals gave it its name – ‘Kal Bangla’ meaning Stone House.

ST STEPHEN’S CHURCH AND GRAVEYARD This Protestant Church was Ooty’s first Church. One of the few remaining examples of original Anglican architecture in Ooty, it’s a Gothic, castle like structure, reminiscent of English village Churches. Adjoining the church is an old English cemetery.

THE MUSEUM Opened in March 1989, this museum has a collection of objects unique to the district, including timber, insects, butterflies, rocks, wood carvings, Kurinji flower, stone sculptures, bronze works, models of Toda hut and coins. PARKS & GARDENS

BOTANICAL GARDEN The gardens were established in 1847 by the Marquis of Tweeddale and now maintained by the Agricultural Department of the Tamil Nadu government. From March-March, an Annual Flower Show is held by the Nilgiris AgroHorticultural Society and the Dog Show of the South India Kennel Club. A few minutes’ climb up from the garden is Toda Mund – ‘Othak-kalman-thu’ (one stone village) – from which Ooty (Ootacamund) derived its name. Adjacent to the garden is Raj Bhavan used by governors when they are on tour.

OOTY LAKE

This small artificial lake was conceived in 1824 by John Sullivan as an irrigation tank. Hardly 4 sq. km in area, the lake is much frequented by picnickers. Row boats, paddle boats and motor boats are available for hire. The boat house also has a restaurant and a children’s garden.

CENTENARY ROSE GARDEN This rose garden was established at Vijayanagaram in Ooty, covering four hectares in five terraces, to commemorate the centenary Flower Festival in March 1995. It is situated on the lower slopes of the Elk Hill on the North-Western side, facing Ooty town. There are about 2150 varieties of roses in the Rose Garden, one of the largest such collections in India.

LAMB’S ROCK (8 KM)

A sheer precipice several hundred metres high, Lamb’s Rock is on a motorable road that leads to Lady Canning’s Seat (10 km), named after the wife of a British Viceroy. Dolphin’s Nose and the Droog are two other excellent heights, 10 and 15 km from Coonoor respectively to view the plains. They are also good picnic spots, with the former made attractive by a view of Catherine Falls and the latter by a still remaining ruins of an old fort built by Mysore ruler Tippu Sultan.

PASTEUR INSTITUTE

GUDALAR ( 50 KM FROM OOTY) Located on the road leading to Mysore, Gudalur is the gateway to the Nilgiris from Kerala and Karnataka. The Mudumalai sanctuary is located around 16 km from here. The prime attractions are Frog Hill view point (14km) , Needle point rock view (12 km), Numbalkottah (8km), Nellakotta (15km), hanging bridge (14km), Nelliyalayam (20km) and Cherambadi (35km).

STANLEY PARK (3 KM) A popular camping ground for scouts and guides, it has a rest house and protected water supply.

POMOLOGICAL STATION This experimental fruit garden, one of the three in the Nilgiris, sprawls over 16 acres at a height of about 1,900 metres above sea level. It was established in 1920, along with the other stations at Burhar and Kullar on the Coonoor – Mettupalayam Ghat Road. These stations are maintained by the Tamil Nadu Horticultural Department.

WELLINGTON (5 KM)

This Institute was established in 1907 to research rabies and treat victims of the disease. Among other projects undertaken by the institute ,the most note worthy is the manufacture of the polio vaccine.

SIM’S PARK Founded by JD Sim, a Secretary to the Madras Government in the mid-19th century as an amusement park, it has now evolved into a botanical garden with well-laid out terraces with rare flowers and shrubs. It contains several species of trees and shrubs that cannot be grown in the colder climate of Ooty.

ARUVANKADU The Cordite Factory of the Government of India, which supplies ammunition for the country’s defence purposes, is located here. It was started in 1904. This British cantonment was developed in 1852. It has the country’s only Defence Services Staff College, an institution rich in Indian military, especially modern tradition. Wellington is also the headquarters of the Madras Regimental Centre of the Indian Army, which is the oldest regiment in the Indian Army.

ST CATHERINE FALLS (8 KM) AND ELK FALLS (7 KM) are among the most beautiful cascades of the Nilgiris. From the Kodanad viewpoint (16 km), an all encompassing view of Coimbatore, Mysore, and Kerala can be seen, as well as the eastern slopes of the Nilgiris. The other major attractions here are the Rangaswamy pillar and peak: the former, a conical peak, 1,785 m high and considered sacred by the hill tribes of the plateau; the latter, an unusual isolated rock formation with precipitous sides.

SILKWORM REARING STATION Adjoining the Pasteur Institute is this research establishment of the Central Silk Board. It also renders expert guidance and special assistance to young entrepreneurs and others who approach them for advice on silkworm rearing.