Cafes come and cafes go, but the need for a space to unwind goes on forever.In 2018, at the cusp of the booming cafe scene in Chennai, a new cafe found its way to a celebrity’s Instagram story. The story goes as all stories do. A rise and fall in customers. Some became regulars, some kept coming in to spot celebrities and some genuinely fell in love with the dynamite prawns being served. Summer House Eatery, the brightly lit space, was shut earlier this year, leaving behind a familiar question: in a city where cafés have become as transient as trends, what fills the void they leave behind? The answer comes in the shape of DUCA, a cafe that promises to be that space where you can grab a delicious bite to eat, work, relax, and even bring along your furry friends.
Vietnamese coffee
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
“When we took over Summer House, we wanted to change everything from interiors and menu to the ambience. In the heart of Alwarpet, you won’t find many quiet places where you can truly unwind, so we were determined to make it a space like that,” says Yoganandan Guruswamy, owner, DUCA. Currently, the 2,500 sq ft space includes an outdoor space, complete with coolers and misting machines to keep you cool in Chennai’s year long summers. There is also a dedicated space for a fully functional wood fired pizza oven. While the menu has undergone changes, what sets it apart are the Indian touches that have been added to a global menu. “We lived in the US for over 10 years and have travelled around Europe extensively, so we were keen on bringing a European style of cafe to Alwarpet,” says Yoganandan, adding that the head chef worked in Scottland and brings his global expertise to the menu.
