A cosy arena that is a welcome amalgamation of a cafe and a restaurant, Under the Mango Tree has had the 'breakfast with pets' program going on for over two years now. Innovative, and definitely more than a little unconventional, the 'Breakfast with pets' concept started with the owner Nirmala Balakrishnan, who began bringing her pet to the cafe, set amidst green foliage, with plenty of open space.
Watching her bring the pet, her customers wanted to know if they could bring theirs, and Nirmala Under the Mango Tree, "I did not see any reason for saying no. This is a fairly prevalent concept in the western countries, however, in India nobody really seems to have done it before. With plenty of open space, and a quiet lane where we won't be disturbing anyone, Under the Mango Tree is perfectly conducive to being a pet friendly restaurant." And so the word began to spread.
In little over two years, it's a quietly burgeoning space where the quality of conversation seems to matter just as much as the food. Breakfast with pets, held every first Sunday of the month, gives owners an opportunity to treat their beloved pets to a special platter of doggy food prepared especially to please canine tastebuds, as well as let their own hair down after a stressful week or even month. "It's the perfect mix of laughter, and catching up with old friends as well as de-stressing with your pets, who also don't feel restricted by leashes, or the constant disapproving glares of other patrons," says Nirmala.
However, when asked if pets are allowed in only on the first Sundays of each month, Nirmala laughs and says "Of course not. This is a pet-friendly restaurant, and you can bring your pet in at any time of the day. I know college students, who after getting done with their morning schedule, get their pets to the cafe in the evening, and spend time with their friends, of both the canine and human persuasion, along with working on their studies".
And upon close scrutiny, it indeed seems just like a friendly restaurant, where the families are seated together in more open areas, while other patrons may sit inside in more secluded surroundings away from the din.
And one has to wonder, why hasn't this brilliant idea struck anybody else before?