Ambi’s Cafe in Broadway was another favorite eating spot. The curd rice served here with mango pickles was famous all over. Udipi Krishna Nivas was another popular hotel, which later set up an upscale restaurant called Palimar.

This was also the era of the "Iranis," a chain of restaurants spread across many places in India. Relying on my somewhat shaky memory, they mostly served sandwiches, bun butter jam, tea, and similar simple fares. Their bun butter jam was a crowd-puller. I also have fond memories of Saradha Bhavan in T. Nagar, known for its unique mixture.

A famous South Indian playback singer frequented this hotel and almost always sat at the same table. After Saradha Bhavan closed and a new hotel came up, he shifted to the Drive-in Woodlands, where I once saw him and spoke to him. He was one of my favorite playback singers. After the Drive-in Woodlands shut down, I heard he moved to New Woodlands.

There was, and still is, a tiny eatery called Rayar’s Cafe on Cutchery Road that is very well-known. They had limited items; you just sat, and all items were served to you. The bill was written on a slate, and you paid—simple and effective. Though it has moved to another location in the same area, I’m not sure if they still follow the same system.

The world of sweets saw a boom with the opening of Ramakrishna Lunch Home and Agarwal Bhavan. Later, The Grand Sweets and Snacks made a big impact, followed by others like Adyar Ananda Bhavan.

These are the names that readily come to mind from the old days. Post-liberalization, many restaurants have sprung up, and you don’t need to walk more than 100 yards before finding one. Even near my house, which was once purely residential, there are now so many eateries. Fancy restaurants with diverse cuisines—South Indian, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Western, Italian, Mexican, Thai—you name it.

Eating out has become complicated for modern families. How often to dine out, which restaurant to choose, which cuisine to try, who will order first—so many decisions need to be made. In my days, we simply went to a hotel, ordered, ate, and left. Now, people sit for hours, chatting with family, friends, or business associates. In some places, you need to book in advance or wait outside in a queue with tired legs and hungry stomachs, feeling irritated and restless until your name is called.

And why go through all this? It’s a fad, a fashion statement, the eagerness to try new places and unheard-of dishes served stylishly, often with a delay, leaving you with a fatter bill and a thinner purse. I, too, occasionally visit such restaurants, but only as a family outing, and honestly, it doesn’t appeal to me that much. The sambar, rasam, curry, and all those dishes cooked by my wife are heaven to me.

The food of the Udipis and similar restaurants never upset my stomach. But nowadays, I find it hard to digest. Is it the cooking style, the richness of the food, or just age catching up? I’m not sure.

Next up, I have to talk about Menus.

Continued in 110. Chats and Chaats - Part 5