When Ghee Grill Solved Angry Girl !

 

Nikita and myself have been together for a little under a year and we have had a pretty interesting journey thus far.  We met in one of those casual work interactions and pretty much our journey to work in a city like bangalore provides ample scope for conversations on the road. Hardly anything moves when its peak hour traffic and people just have accepted it. I picked up a basic kannada and have been managing . I sometimes switched to telugu or hindi as I also spoke those languages when my kannada began to humiliate me . Fun stuff . We both are from Chennai , a happy co-incidence. So the talks and walks we had were very candid as we could openly express our thoughts in our mother tongue in a setup where you hear all sorts of languages. Bangalore is like the Porridge of "North meets South" . Every one has a "someone" or a "something" . By something , I mean , a pet or an active business as simple as a chat shop etc. It's obviously a city which runs on its own lane. 

We had a recent fight over something so stupid and she was giving me the cold war. Messages were being replied late - intentionally. "Good morning honeyboo" changed to morning , followed by an eye roll. And I knew , it was one of those passing phases and we were matured enough to not let cracks bother us. We rarely have had earthquakes , but cracks , yeah. Usual couple stuff , especially our daily habits were a bit different and we only agreed in being ourselves without bothering the other. Not much of "Imma change for you and u gonna somersault for me" model here. We could be together , because we were able to be ourselves , but both of us knew eventually, one of us had to transform ourselves and be the bigger person at some point. Otherwise, the nearness wouldn't happen. That extra effort , to you know , glide in , be with them , like them etc, as simple as drinking tea with them even though you are a coffee person.  Enough of the Dr Phil for now. So, she wasn't her usual chirpy self and me being the clever boyfriend had a list of fool proof fail safe "win me over" strategies when Nikki goes south or gets pissed off. Girls , let me tell you. You never know where the trigger is hidden . It's like , they keep moving places . What wouldn't have caused a problem one day, would suddenly be a flame thrower on another. Being in a "committed-yet not formally committed" relationship always keeps you on your toes! 

The latest stand-off was persisting a bit more and I was kind of missing the physical closeness with her. So, one Friday, after work I decided to surprise her.  We were at the parking lot and I picked her up and told we will go to place to chill for an early dinner. She really fought to appear unamused and as I got closer and closer to the venue , I noticed her grip on me become tighter and she even moved closer - unconsciously. The Drama queen realized I was taking her to the RAMESHWARAM CAFE , in Whitefield. I was checking her face reactions on the rear view mirror and just when we entered the entrance, I could see a smile escape her "fake angry" lips , which she quickly turned off.  I knew, I was doing the right thing and I was on track till now, unless I did or said something at the Cafe. 

Oh god , the place - lemme tell you . Their Ghee Podi idly and the Garlic Roast masala dosa . They are generous with the ingredients they use, such that even looking at them prepare your orders make you extra hungry. A well thought out planned construction design, ample air circulation and visibility where everyone can see everyone. The otherwise super dressed youngsters and hippie youths were in their absolute candid clothing, shorts , sandals , hair tied in messy buns and stuff. You could see that people were comfortable and really wanted  to be in the place. The chefs squirt ghee over the idly and the dosa to such an extent, you can see Cardiologists waiting at the entrance with their prescriptions. But the taste - mamma-mia. Bite after bite , one must savor the flavors and the richness of the dishes. Flat idlies are not something so common in Chennai, its more of a plumpy design. But here , it was so well done. The simplicity, yet the depth in taste. The chutneys and sambar were well done, thankfully not sweet like traditional Karnataka fashion. I have a high spice profile and It was a pleasant dining experience for me and Nikki. I could see that she was relaxing her nerves, all excited as we were slowly enjoying their popular dishes. The token system was also a novel way to hook youngsters as we can order by ourselves on a standalone "help yourself" machine and do the payment with little external help. Then they give us these beeping devices that ring when your order is ready, small exciting stuff. 

You could see the chefs preparing the dishes in plain naked view . So there was little room for doing naughty behind-the-door kitchen stuff like the distasteful rumor about hotels where chefs were alleged to drop their forehead sweat onto heated cooking pans . The thought of it makes me purge - but here, the boys were pretty organized and appeared to follow a methodical approach. The food slurped down our tongues and even made my Fake angry baby to take a bite of the Vada from my plate. She didn't realize she had let the guard down - thanks to the universal weakness of man - Food. She was enjoying it so much, she was sweating from the spice and appeared calmer and than how she projected herself at work a few hours before today. The cooking area was also neatly segregated behind a solid stone structure design, the cool granite like stairs and even restroom facility to immediately relieve yourself - it appeared to be a proper eating haven.  I had been here once with a male buddy and I am thankful to that jackass for bringing me here . To top if off, we had a coffee and the pattern continued. Such richness and perfect flavor , we just simply sat for a full minute or two as we were literally letting our bodies embrace the incoming delights. Tissues were also there, along with metal spoons that were in hot water for hygiene. We slowly got up, trying to not dash on to someone,  as people were swarming the place like flies. 

I took the bike , she wore her helmet and I was about to go straight to go through the shorter route , when my girl whispers in my ears. Take the U turn and stop in the pharmacy. Boy , I knew It was going to be a fun weekend and I had officially won her back with some fine food and no blabbering.  I made a careful U turn , got down , secured the essentials and slowly began to drive into the cool sunset as the dark clouds seem to get ready to give the place a good wash . Her hands came to the Ideal position when we were on the ride - around my waist as I gasped saying - Careful, it's full ! We both laughed and she deliberately hugged me tighter and bit my back to such an extent I shouted and startled a nearby lying dog out of the way. 

That's all folks. Rameshwaram Cafe , magical place, where you can get your romantic fights resolved. It's also a good place for the stags and singletons, as you never know , if it was your day , you might get yourself an available person ! Cheers . 

PS : I stop the description here as to what happened that Weekend for decency and also , to leave room for your own imagination ! Wink ;)