The number of coffee shops in Chennai is growing by the day, with most star hotels choosing to have a 24-hour coffee shop to cater to the late evening and midnight crowds. These coffee shops are usually multi-cuisine restaurants that are prohibitively expensive for the middle class guest but are a dream hangout for those willing to spend a lot on a single evening for sheer class, quality and ambience…A visit to some of them helps understand the trend and gives an insight into their individual characteristics.

The Verandah is the coffee shop at the Taj Connemara. It caters to a mix of business class and the family crowd. It is split into smoking and non-smoking sections to suit varying guest preferences. During lunch, there is a live piano performance that adds to the pleasant and relaxing ambience. And the evenings are characterized by a guitar show by a couple of strummers. Buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner here are popular with then, and are priced at Rs.200 and Rs.350 for vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes respectively, apart from 18% taxes.

During weekdays, business and corporate guests frequent the Verandah, while on weekends it is families who frequent the place. This coffee shop serves as its speciality "The Murg Tikka Methi Makhani" which is a gravy dish of boneless chicken Tikka served with Makhan. The restaurant also boasts of dosas over the counter for the buffet breakfast. Gift coupons exchangeable at many Taj hotels are available here, from Rs.500 upwards. So if you are looking to gift a classy dinner or snack, you now know where to get your gift vouchers.

The Verandah is coming out with a new menu for the buffets in a couple of days, and it promises to be a pleasant surprise, going by the words of the restaurant manager, Mr.Vebhav Kumar.

Though this does not qualify as a 24-hour coffee shop as it closes by two in the morning, the Cilantra, the coffee shop at The Le Royal Meridian serves guests all 24 hours in their outdoor tables that are as comfortable if not better. It boasts of an open showcase kitchen for everything from desserts to pizzas. Even the base for the pizza is made over the counter and served fresh and hot. The ambience is calm and cozy with personalized service beginning from the moment of entry to the minute you leave. It is a pleasant change to have the waiter introduce himself while showing you to your table.

With live music playing to create the classy dinner feel, the food oozes class both in terms of looks and taste. The buffets at the coffee shop ensure that the guest sees what he serves himself and sees his food being prepared over the counter. With a wide variety of salads and fresh fruits, the counters are a novel method of visual merchandising of food.

The Japanese "Teppanyaki" grill and Libyan (Arabian)"Shavarma" food counters are a rarity in Chennai and a gourmet's delight.

The buffet packages are popular, with breakfast at Rs.295 plus taxes and lunch & dinner at Rs.395 plus taxes. The buffets include 15 salads, 14 desserts, 6 non-vegetarian dishes and 6 breads. A wide, tasty, and delicious spread that you can feast your eyes on before you can taste the food.

"The Garden Café" at The Radisson Hotel, Meenambakkam is a 24-hour coffee shop that is true to its name. The restaurant is airy, spacious, and resembles a garden in its setting and spacing. This is a favourite haunt for the software employees with offices close by, and the travellers to and from the airport and in transit. The buffet packages are priced at Rs.300 plus taxes (breakfast) and at Rs.295 plus taxes (lunch and dinner).

The Sunday brunch is special, with a pint of Bengal Beer thrown in. It is priced at Rs.350 plus taxes. But those looking for tandoori are amicably guided to their theme restaurant-"The Great Kabab Factory".

"The Right Place" is the 24-hour coffee shop at Residency, which offers a breakfast buffet at Rs.100 plus a tax of 8%. This buffet includes four south Indian dishes, four non-vegetarian dishes, and eggs to order with milkshakes or hot beverages. This coffee shop serves all items on their menu for 24 hours and takes pride in doing so. The Kozhi Vatha Kari, which is available like all other items round the clock, is priced at Rs.110 plus tax, and is the favourite for the many regulars here. It is spicy, and is served with rice or dosa as a complement. The business meals are also popular during lunch hours, and are priced at Rs.85 plus tax (veg) and Rs.100 plus tax (non-veg).

The quick working lunch consists of a soup, bread, and dessert, and is priced similar to the business meals. "In short, 'The Right Place' like The Residency itself, believes in offering value for money, with absolutely no compromises on quality or quantity," says their F&B Manager, Mr. Srinivasan.

A regular night crowd shows up on all days, and late on Saturday nights, the place is packed with the young crowd trooping in straight from the discos. The setting is English with brick finish walls to accentuate the theme. The music played is instrumental and the place lacks live music that one has come to associate with coffee shops these days. Value for money nevertheless, without compromising on taste, and round the clock.

Gokul Krishnamurthy