Phoenix Market City

There’s a new mall in Chennai! Yes, another brand new mall much bigger than all the other already existing malls with an IMAX, and eleven Sathyam movie screens. And many fancy installations like the one below. And shops! Oh, the shops.

Um. Sorry.

It’s just that while Phoenix is a good mall with lots of shops and a Cream and Fudge with ridiculously good mint ice cream, I've just been there so many times already that I've almost memorized the layout of the place. This is the curse of all those who live relatively close to a mall. Ice cream? Mall. Clothes? Mall. Electronics? Mall. Bored? Mall.

In fact, people are so unimaginative that they hang out in malls for Valentine’s Day. LH pointed out that we were also in said mall on said day, and all those people could be just like us: not giving a shit about Valentine’s day and just out because of ennui. I disagree. I mean, come on. You see the place packed exclusively with couples who are holding hands. The food courts are full. Archies is having a record breaking sale of teddy bears and heart-shaped pillows. Yeah, love is exciting these days.

Anyway, a quick guide for the uninitiated. These are a few stores in Phoenix Mall that you might like:

1.      CEX – They buy, they sell, they exchange cell phones, game consoles, DVDs, so on and so forth. Great idea, and the last time I saw the store, it was pulling in crowds like a boss.

2.      Lifestyle – Every Madrasvaasi by now knows about the wonders of Lifestyle. I see maamis, mummies, chicks, professionals, hipsters, geeks, and grandpas alike converge in on Lifestyle for retail therapy.

3.      Cotton World – Comfortable, stylish, and reasonably priced cotton and linen clothes. Summer’s around the corner. Stock up, yo.  

4.      Donut House – Good doughnuts!

5.      Cream and Fudge- Amazing ice creams and sundaes in any combination that you fancy. And they’ll create orgasmic food porn right in front of you on a frozen marble slab. Oh yeah, baby.

6.      Manchester United – The official Manchester United store. For all you Man-U fans out there.

7.      Big Bazaar – almost a staple in every mall these days, it’s a supermarket which all home makers and families are in love with. Where else can you get a broom, cauliflower, clothes, milk cookers, and dhal in the same place?

8.      The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf – A very woodsy décor and the quaint name lured us in. And we didn't regret it.

9.      Mamma Deli – Expensive, but delicious. And speaking from experience, you won’t have a choice on weekends, when the food courts are jam packed.

10.  Loads of electronics stores that my husband is in love with. Bose for speakers, Poorvika for mobiles, Reliance Digital for everything.

This is only a partial list because a lot of stores haven’t opened yet. Like Hard Rock Café and California Pizza Kitchen, both of which I’d like to try. Of course, we’d be first in line to watch a movie at IMAX, and will be regular movie-goers when Luxe opens up.

And Phoenix isn't just a mall; it’s a market city with office spaces, apartments and even a club, as I was told. Convenient, but a little up-market. Okay, a lot up-market.

Meh. I just go for the ice cream.