CHENNAI: Meet Aditya Patel, a true blue Chennaiite, a self confessed foodie and a racing driver who represents Audi India Motorsport.
What is the one thing about namma ooru that you fancy?
The food! Chicken 65, biryani, mutton chukka. You get the idea...(chuckles)
Three things in Chennai that can’t be found in any part of the world?
East Coast Road, home and the heat!
What is your favourite hangout spot in the city?
The Brew Room in Besant Nagar. Nothing like a good white tea to end the day.
Three stereotypes about Chennai that make you roll your eyes?
Thayir saadam (curd rice), Sarvana Bhavan and malli poo.
Two Madras baashai words that you would teach a newbie?
Late aayidche, time aayidche. And during cold winters, kuloorthu (it’s cold).
What would you do to prove to someone that you are a true Chennai vaasi?
I would profess my love for filter kapi and sip it with a slurp.
If someone is visiting the city for the first time, where would you take him/her?
Murugan Idli Shop! I’m basically all about food. And Ente Keralam (restaurant) is nice for its Malabar cuisine.
If you could install another statue at Marina Beach, for whom would it be?
Homer Simpson holding his pet, Spiderpig.
One part of the city or a specific area that you want to explore further?
Chetpet Bridge. Because it will take me seven minutes to cross that stretch and reach home and sleep. I forgot to add: I love sleep.
What’s the best stretch in the city to take the car out for a spin?
Any road after 3 am because its virtually empty by then.
An experience on the city roads that you will never forget?
Once I was driving down Poonamallee High Road, and this old woman, with no teeth or anything, decided to cross the road without looking at the vehicles coming down the road! So I hit the brakes and honked hard, obviously. And she turns to me and uses the choicest foul words to yell at me!
Where would you take a girl out on a hot date?
Well, I would have her drive me around so that I can drink some of that filter coffee.
If you could live anywhere else, where would it be?
That’s a hard one! I’d have to pick between Kodai, Austria and living by a beach in Sri Lanka.