Amethyst

I’m back in the city after a long time and there is so much to do and such little time. I had to meet friends, catch up with all the happening gossip, fill them in with whats happening in my life. All this had to be done and I just had time to do this over a cup of coffee. So there began my quest for a place that has a great ambience (preferably outdoors), good food, and no restrictions to express ourselves (my girl friends can get loud sometimes ). The first place that came to my mind was a coffee house situated in a calm locality in Gopalapuram, Chennai. No, No, I’m not gonna tell you about Cafe Coffee Day or Barista or any other run of the mill coffee pub, I’m gonna tell you about a coffee place that set the trend for many other coffee places – Amethyst. It also has a gallery where they have painting exhibitions, poetry reading, jewelery display etc. Its not just another coffee pub. It is that and much much more.

Amethyst is the ideal place for a group of friends to catch up. The neatly and accurately placed tables in the garden gives you the feeling of being at home and having your own tea-party or should I say coffee party I have been to Amethyst before, but today it felt like I was going there for the first time. The menu has changed from the last time that I had been there. Prices have increased by five or ten bucks, but who cares, all good things come with a price. I wouldn’t mind paying that extra ten for the ambiance and the experience that Amethyst offers.

After our animated hi, hello, how do you do, we got down to ordering. I ordered a Cafe Latte (Rs. 45) and a Chocolate Brownie (Rs. 55). There are other things on the menu that I would have ordered if only I hadn’t had lunch already. I’m told that the pasta here is very good, I will try it the next time I come to Amethyst. They also have milkshakes, cold coffee, pastries, desert, french fries etc etc. On the whole they offer a wide variety of food and drinks ranging from 35 (the normal coffee) to something around 200, (I don’t know for what).

Some feel that Amethyst is a bit too expensive. Yes it is, just a bit but I guess its worth it. The outdoor set up doesn’t make you feel restrained in any way. For a noisy bunch like ours, this is the ideal place. Amethyst is one of the few coffee pubs in the city that allow its customers to smoke. They have a non-smoking zone for people who are against passive smoking. Different people, different likes and thats exactly what Amethyst caters to. I had a wonderful evening sipping on my Cafe Latte and enjoying my hot Chocolate Brownie for hours. On the whole I would give Amethyst 8/10 just for its ambiance and for letting me catch up with a bunch of over enthusiastic friends.

Amethyst is at 14/30, Padmavathi Road, Gopalapuram, Chennai – 600086.

Phone: +91-44-24991330