Writer's Cafe-Peter's Road, Chennai

                                       "Ditch the sympathy and Just bring your appetite"

All my life, I've had scars over my hands or legs owing to skin allergies and my sensitivity towards certain weather conditions and food that I am unable to consume.

Dermatologists have assigned various names from time to time whenever I have consulted with them but I have given up on any magic potion that would heal me totally and keep me scar-free! These days as I inch towards fifty...Hey! not so fast...still got three years to go, I am the least bothered. I try to moisturize my skin and keep away from the allergens and take all kinds of precautionary measures so that they do not aggravate and flare up. Nevertheless, I've had my share of bad days, very bad days and the worst days of my life with occasional itching and the scabies bleeding at length!

When I was much younger, I was often teased by the "elite" kind of girls or shunned because they just didn't want to hold hands with me or sit beside me thinking that the rashes would spread-after all we were just kids and that's the kind of unsympathetic exposure or knowledge we had. I have cried silent tears as my teachers would invariably select me for dramas and skits owing to my boyish personality back in the day, my lack of stage fright then, my good voice modulation and intonation...I do remember instances where I had to hold hands with co-artistes- my other young friends/classmates and had to always be at the explaining end as to why my sore has not healed. I have seen them go and complain to the teachers. Sigh!

 My parents did everything possible under the sun to powder down my allergies and apply the necessary ointments and as I grew older they taught me to groom them myself and manage them effectively. So I really know what it is to feel shunned or stared at...I have grown up and I have passed on the food allergies to my children but touch wood both of them do not have any visible glaring scars and did not go through some of the minor traumas that I did as a child.

Thus, walking into a Café that employed burn survivors had me well prepared and less intrigued. I found this paper clipping (the first picture you see in this post) the other day and messaged a good friend with whom I share a great deal of common interests( without crossing each other's boundaries or space) and she was all game to meet up with me. Our afternoon was made!!! I will let the photographs lead your through.

 As is obvious from the ad, the profits from our purchases (whether food or books as this is an ideal place that not only houses a lavish array of baked goodies but also books galore from HigginBothams) would go to these burn survivors. They are women who have gone through a great deal of mental and physical trauma in their life as far as the history of their burns are concerned. What are my lil scars/skin allergies in front of theirs? Note to self :

Picture Courtesy: Google Images

The greenery above is such a welcoming sight. I think this was started a day before cyclone Vardah! Not sure of the damage that was caused but this view was such a breath of fresh air ever since Vardah destroyed and uprooted many of our precious trees and snatched away the canopy above many of our streets! I feel there is space for a car or two. But being right in the middle of Peter's Road, Chennai, my two cents is that if you happen to be in the area after a movie at Sathyam theatres then this is a hop, skip and a jump for you so either make it by foot or do find a suitable place to park your vehicle safely away from the hustle and bustle of the movie goers or those heading for Saravana Bhavan (http://www.saravanabhavan.com/restaurants.php?cn=India&cy=Chennai&rid=10) which is its immediate neighbour on the same side of the road.
 

 We loved the ambience! We were quite early and it did take around forty minutes for the next set of customers to pour in. We were greeted by Mr. Karan and Mr.Asish who led us to our table. New kid on the block indeed! Very heart warming smiles and so in our face to be extremely courteous, hospitable and kind. I always need some time to warm up to a place and our own table before I would get talking with those behind the scenes! So we had most of their undivided attention until the next batch of customers walked in and that was a relief!

Really don't like the feeling of being in the spotlight.

 I love diaries! Most of the stationery for sale is courtesy HigginBotham's https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higginbotham's

 Games and other brain teasers available for sale /perhaps to play while lounging in this ambience!

 A few days after Christmas hence the décor continues to remain in that spirit and feeling!

 I did buy one of these smaller bottles. A nice pickled side to go with a burger or a sandwich I suppose!

 Coffee grinders which should soon be available to be served at our tables (work plans in process)

 An initiative by Mr. M Mahadevan one of the leading restaurateurs in Chennai who was very keen on this venture so that he could enable the burn survivors to lead normal lives despite the odds. They are trained under a Chef from Switzerland. They have been taught how to bake and attend to customers with a beaming smile and feel empowered behind these counters as we purchase the goodies that they have passionately baked.

My friend and I were very lucky to have bumped into Mr. Mahadevan and he took time to come to our table and talk to us and exchange his life's experiences and other pleasantries.
He spoke about many of his charitable efforts and work especially during last year's flood and other major events that required his man force with regard to cooking and packing food.

He also encouraged us to avail his facilities when he knew that we do our share of feeding the poor and the hungry within our radius.

L-Chocolate flavoured edible flutes R-Cinnamon flavoured flutes

 Lulu as well took time to talk her way into us going for another round of food when we weren't full with what we had ordered. An extremely sweet,bubbly and affable young girl indeed! Her sweet coaxing would make you want to order everything on the menu saying, "demonetisation, WTF!!! I have to buy this as Lulu guaranteed its taste and described its flavour profile!" Such a radiant young face that would illuminate any conversation. Thank you Lulu!

 Asish of Winner's Bakery fame was kind enough to suggest a few things that we could try out and we did go in for a Pesto Zucchini Olive thin crust pizza-paper thin I swear! but packed with a medley of flavours! Loved it!

 Not the best pictures as they are cell phone uploads but very tasty indeed for Rs.150/- both of us shared this. Later as my friend wanted to try their waffles (Rs.90/-), we had ordered this. Presentation was alright! My friend enjoyed it, I found it a bit too eggy for my taste buds! So I did request her to have my share as well!

 It came in with whipped cream and honey.

 Lulu suggested this toasted paneer sandwiched between their focaccia bread and we are extremely grateful to her for that! It looked lovely, felt rustic and tasted yummy! the girl's got it in her to sell a refrigerator  to an eskimo :) Reminded me of my own young children and students!

 Our South Indian Coffee priced @50rs was good but could have been brought in a glass tumbler with a handle. These are all teething problems and they should overcome all these with constructive feedback from customers.

Our entire afternoon meal cost us Rs.250 per person. I found their pricing decent and reasonable and hope they do not hike it or reduce their existing standards.

 You would not want to miss how the waiters and waitresses attending to us are dressed. Lovely horizontal black and white stripes almost like young sailors calling out from the decks "Ahoy there!! have you tried our latest?" I forgot to click a picture of them. Perhaps the next time!!!

After our meal, Mr. Asish showed us around their upstairs conference cum lounge hall for functions like a book reading session or some serious brainstorming. Oooh! La! La! one would never imagine that there is a great deal of space in this petite corner. I would love to go there with more like minded friends or family to enjoy the food, company and the ambience. If you are a bibliophile, I think this is your kind of space or just a loner who prefers to work/read silently sipping a juice or a hot cuppa, then this is your space. Not sure of the wifi or other perks yet as the place is new.

 I do understand  that the space can be hired for a fee which they are working on depending on the occasion. Feels good to be around such space amidst the company of books.

 I can visualize a lover or two seated here exchanging sweet nothings. I loved the natural light falling into this space! February, not far away huh?

 This gave me a lot of positive vibes and I do hope this write up or their ads would reach out to many. Understand many youngsters have been haunting the place for their pastas. It's a kind of extensive brunch menu-very European! Please do buy from them keeping in mind that every kind gesture towards their bakes would ultimately benefit these burn survivors!

 Indeed! And with these quotes captured and displayed here, I bid adieu and stepped out after both of us bought quite a few pastries and bread to take back to our loved ones back home knowing and hoping that our gesture would help any burn survivor in a positive way!

 To conclude-a beautiful space where one could be right in the city but far away from the maddening crowd lost in your own work, thoughts, poetry, a speech or even a movie script!

Would I visit again?-Of course I would! Perhaps the next time I would love to listen to some light (not loud) music in the backdrop. If I remember correctly, there wasn't anything playing the afternoon we were there! I love lounge music!

The furniture was mind blowing!

A yummilcious fruit tart that I brought back for the husband who loves his fruits.
On that note a very Happy Birthday husband dearest! Thank you so much for your role in ma vie!