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Photo: T. Singaravelou

Unwind centre At Poudou Poudou

The majestic tiger has always fascinated Westerners. The image of a big cat standing amidst tall grass in a forest with its eyes focusing on its prey is something that comes to the mind when you say tiger. And that is perhaps what came to architect-restaurateur Alain Castant’s mind when he designed his restaurant, Poudou Poudou at 31, Rue Labourdonnais.

The restaurant, which was inaugurated recently by Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, has two floors and can accommodate about 200 persons at a time. The ground floor has been done in an Indian theme with the wall painted to look like tall grass and seats like a tiger’s body and their arms resembling the big cat’s head. This floor serves salads and sandwiches in the morning and thali meals for lunch. They serve Indian, Japanese and Continental food.

As you enter the white building, the courtesy crew dressed in white hand-printed lungies and coloured T-shirts look as if they have walked out of an old Tamil movie. The restaurant is run by Jeevajaldhara Resorts promoted by Alain Castant and R. Ananth, an advocate.

Go to the first floor and you see the kitchen, the informal seating area, which has long benches on two sides. The white floor and walls, low lights and furniture invite you to sit and watch the films they project on a screen. On the ground floor too movies are screened.

The place has been designed to look like a ship. The first floor has an artificial tree, which leads to the deck where mocktails are served. There are chairs to lounge in. To reach this floor you have to cross a tiny stream and stone steps.

“We want people to come here to eat, watch a movie, look at the paintings in the exhibition and have fun. It’s also a place for people to catch up with one another and may be read a book and enjoy Puducherry,” says Alain.

“We have a French-Australian chef Gilles, who has brought Japanese Sushi food, soups, salads and bakery items. The restaurant is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. There’s also a family room for small parties,” says Ananth.

DEEPA H RAMAKRISHNAN

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