Act I
So the Arcot bar lost it’s appeal after a while and reconnaissance missions to Le Flame at Le Royal Meridien, The Dublin & G2 Lounge at the Park Sheraton and Pasha’s at The Park Hotel (a now ageing minimalist joint just off Anna Salai) all completed, I needed to go somewhere where human souls inhabited (reviews on all those to come). I approached my mate, Maneet, on reception at the Trident. Us, both being young guys (ish), must share something! I asked where does a well heeled gentleman such as himself go on big nights out and me approaching my Birthday needed something worthwhile to go to. A few options were laid out on the desk…. And this place called ’Ten Downing Street’ looked interesting, the girls behind the desk seemed positive, Jaspreet (the Sales Director) wrinkled his nose and mentioned a distaste for the Heavy Metal music he’d endured there once; naturally if the girls say ’yes’, can I say ’no’? C’mon you know the answer!! So off I went in a cloud of cigar smoke, coughing guests left in my wake (a guy’s gotta have a presence even if it’s for all the wrong reasons)…. Out into the chilly Chennai night air (just said that for effect, no other reason) and cacophony of truck, car, moped and auto-rickshaw engines and horns… oh how I love that noise! Standing in the clouds of Sulphur dioxide, I attempted to thumb down an auto…. Big mistake! One auto driver was not interested unless I wanted to go to the airport! Another had never heard of Ten Downing Street, and finally I made way back to the Trident’s reception….
Act II
Plan b was to get a Taxi, so I got Maneet to order one from an outside firm and so one was ordered for Ten Downing Street in T-Nagar and I reluctantly went to the Arcot until the car arrived. Another Kingfisher, my good man!! After about twenty minutes the Suzuki Van that would be my taxi arrived (my chariot for those who want it to be more theatrical) and off we went! Hooray! Off on another adventure! So I thought…. 1 hour later… we have seen the entire street plan of T-Nagar and I am no longer smiling. In fact we’ve stopped people on the street to ask, we’ve stopped unhelpful auto drivers, asked at shops, talked to other taxi driving friends and NOBODY has heard of the place. I am feeling glummer than a dog on a Chinese restaurant menu (but they only eat ugly yellow dogs, so that’s ok, unless you think it’s a discrimination against ugly yellow dogs and you are indeed ugly, yellow and a dog…). The driver has even asked me, I replied "You’re the one who picked me up as your fair. This is your home, not mine…. I’m trusting you to know where you’re going before you start driving." There doesn’t seem to be an equivalent of the ’London Knowledge’ with Taxi drivers in Chennai….. Anyway we reached the umpteenth group of people to ask directions from and he got out to talk to them….. Time for my escape!!!
Act III
Plan c, my escape. I slid the side door open and tried to merge seamlessly with the crowd; a bit hard when you’re a foot taller than most of the locals and your face has got ’European Escapee’ written all over it! He spotted me and chased after me. "Where are you going sir?" "Well you don’t really know where we are, so I thought I’d find someone who does. So see you later." I replied. He was obviously not smiling now either! "but my fare?" And what about that??? My reply was pretty simple. "Mate, I was going to pay you to take me somewhere, that somewhere doesn’t seem to have been part of your plan. I’m not paying for a Magical Mystery Tour of T-Nagar. So bye!" He wasn’t at all happy with me and demanded payment. I told him to make a complaint to the Trident about me and I’d reply to it. That phased him… but he still followed me, until I swung myself into the back seat of a passing auto (I assure you the seat was empty!) and asked the surprised driver to take me to Ten Downing Street. My ex-Taxi Driver now started shouting for the Auto-rickshaw to stop. The rickshaw started to slow, but 50 rupees convinced it to speed up and go….
Act IV
....and as if by magic the bar appeared! It had a small car park at the front just behind the gates and hedge (good news for designated drivers in your party crowd), and the obligatory security guys on the door. There was no Entrance fee as it was Thursday night, so in I went. On the right, once I was through the front door, was a lounge room and to my left was the main bar area. This was sectioned into four areas; the bar itself, a main seating area (conveniently positioned near the toilets), and to lounge areas either side. I grabbed a business card so I didn’t face logistic issues again... and make note of this; the address is 50 BN Road, T-Nagar! Then I settled down at a table ordered a Kingfisher, some nibbles and.... wait for it... a Cuban Cigar (I was well happy).
There was one problem, my evening’s escapades meant that the time was now 10:45pm and 11:00pm was closing time. Anyway the place itself? It’s real nice with lots of London-ish paraphernalia decorating the walls. In one of the lounge areas there’s an impression of sitting in a large study, complete with fireplace, Book shelves, leather seats and dark polished tables. The prices are reasonable too, and you don’t have to venture to the bar as the waiters are wandering around all the time. This Thursday night was Karaoke Night and can I say something? You guys in Chennai can sing really well. Some lads delivered an admirable rendition of U2’s With Or Without you. But sadly for me the evening was winding down and this would only be but a brief sojourn at this fine tavern.