The newly launched Woodlands Drive-In funtions at a one-acre land in Arumbakkam
| Photo Credit:
Thamodharan B
For those of us who grew up in Madras, the memory of Woodlands Drive-in will never fade away. The restaurant, where you could eat dosas from metal trays clamped to your car, was a peaceful retreat from the dust and din of the city. The nearly 12-acre land with a lush green canopy of trees is over 100 years old and needless to say its strategic location, in the heart of Cathedral Road, was a great advantage
Playback Singer late P.B. Srinivas used to spend a couple of hours at the old Woodlands Drive-in everyday for over 25 years
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu archive
Its saga began in 1962, when the Agri-Horticulture Society agreed to sublet a portion of its land to K Krishna Rao, a hotelier, who had by then launched The New Woodlands Hotel in Mylapore in 1952 serving Udupi-style cuisine in Madras. It was here that many Chennaiites tasted their first chola bhatura and bread peas masala. Those who had the luxury of cars, enjoyed their food and filter coffee in them, making this South India’s first drive-in restaurant.
One could walk in by 6am for a cup of coffee and piping hot pongal. The legacy lasted for six decades, when in April 2008 the lease ended and the Agri-Horticultural Society and the State Government decided to develop a botanical garden (Semmozhi Poonga) and a horticulture research centre on this 320 grounds of prime land.
Masala dosa and filter coffee at the newly launched Woodlands Drive-In
| Photo Credit:
Thamodharan B
Now after almost 18 years, Woodlands is relaunching its most successful brand, 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 Home, the space is designed to rekindle memories of the past.
“We found this vast piece of land in the heart of the city and we began to work on developing this into a drive-in restaurant. This is nowhere in comparison to the older one which was sprawling, but we are trying to recreate that nostalgia. We have even created a PB Srinivas corner as well in his memory,” says Ram. The legendary singer Srinivas spent a couple of hours at the old Woodlands Drive-in everyday for over 25 years.
The non-AC dining area
| Photo Credit:
Thamodharan B
The AC dining area
| Photo Credit:
Thamodharan B
Ram began to tidy up the land and planted saplings in 2021, nurturing the trees through the pandemic. The soft launch happened a few weeks ago and has generated a lot of interest among the public. “Many celebrities dropped by, curious to know how this place looks. During the 70’s and 80s Woodlands Drive-in was frequented by celebrities and film stars,” says Ram.
He adds with a chuckle, “Interestingly, salespersons would assemble at the restaurant by 8.30am, then leave on their rounds, and assemble again by 6pm to discuss sales over a cup of coffee, probably making it the city’s first co-working space! Also it was common to see matrimonial alliances taking place, a tradition that seems to continue here as well.”
Founder Krishna Rao and his son seen with former TN Chief Minister MG Ramachandran at Woodlands Drive-In
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Special Arrangement
At the newly launched drive-in, there is space for about 20 cars and an air-conditioned dining area that can accommodate 100 guests. The verandah is non-ac and can accommodate 40 guests. Though the place is equipped for car service, they do not clamp steel trays to the door anymore as customers do not want scratches on their cars. Ram says, “In those days, Woodlands Drive-in had a kids play area and pony rides. We plan to start pony rides on weekends.”
Bread and peas masala
| Photo Credit:
Thamodharan B
The old Woodlands Drive-in introduced dishes such as masala dosa, adai-avial, poori-Bombay saagu, kichadi, rava pongal, Mysore bonda, grape Juice and mosambi juice to Chennai. The new Arumbakkam space features all these as well as North Indian, Chinese and Continental food, in addition to chaat, ice cream and cakes. Between noon and 3pm, they offer Madras meals (₹240), special meals (₹280) and North Indian thali (₹370). While the Madras meals serves rice , paruppu-nei (dal-ghee), sambar, rasam, vathakulambu, kootu, poriyal, curd, pickle and one sweet, the special meals has this plus soup, a starter and ice cream. .
“We have mounted old photographs from the earlier era on the walls,” says Ram, explaining how the new space pays homage to the past. “I have chosen Burberry granite stones for the table tops, and all the wooden chairs were made to order from Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The color palette is green and yellow for that retro feel. In a few years, the trees in the campus will provide a green canopy which will make outdoor dining pleasant,” he adds.
Kasi halwa, carrot halwa and gulab jamoon
| Photo Credit:
Thamodharan B
A large number of senior citizens have already started walking in for evening coffee. “They come as a group, and some of them even complete their evening walk here and go home,” says Ram. To cater to this crowd there is an ‘evening snacks combo’ for ₹100 featuring Mangalore buns, Mangalore bondas and biscuit rotti. And yes, Kasi halwa, carrot halwa and gulab jamun, which were popular at the legendary Woodlands, are still on the menu.
Drive-in Woodlands, Arumbakkam is open from 7am to 11pm (Both dine-in and car service). Call 9600684689