Madras Week is a celebration of the city’s beginnings and its rich cultural heritage, where the people of Chennai and history enthusiasts revel in stories of the city’s historic journey from Madras to Chennai. Taj Connemara, South India’s oldest, almost 100-year-old hotel, is a proud relic of the colonial era with its deep historical roots and stands as a testament to this heritage being an integral part of the city’s evolution. As part of the Madras Week celebrations, Taj Connemara presents two exciting experiences as part of its Connemara Chronicles at its all-day dining restaurant, The Verandah, and the charming Lady Connemara Bar & Lounge, from August 19–25, 2024.
The Verandah, the all-day dining multi-cuisine restaurant overlooking the swimming pool, known for its global cuisine, introduces a special Madras Week menu that evokes the ‘days of the Raj’. This Anglo-Indian menu, rich with history, is dotted with several classics, including Mullgutwany, Cocktail Chicken Cutlets, Railway Lamb/Mutton Curry, Lamb Mince Potato Chops, Classic Liver and Onions on Toast, Country Captain Chicken, Classic Anglo-Indian Chicken Vindaloo, Anglo-Indian Mince Ball (Kofta) Curry, Gentleman’s Toes (Ivy Gourd) and Potato Vindaloo, Railway Vegetable Curry, Chicken Irish stew, Coconut nut rice & Ball curry, Mutton roast, Pepper water, Fish Moiley, and the delightful desserts like Classic Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding, and Steamed Apple and Apricot Pudding.
For those seeking a sip of nostalgia, Lady Connemara Bar & Lounge offers exclusive Madras Week Cocktails—Madras Week Connemara Classic Cocktails.
The Lady Connemara Bar & Lounge, named in memory of Lady Connemara, carries an interesting story that intertwines with the history of the hotel. Lord Connemara, the then Governor of Madras, was respected for his contributions to the city’s development. However, his reputation was marred by his private indulgences, which became public knowledge. Lady Connemara, upon discovering her husband’s indiscretions, left the Governor’s house and resided at the hotel for almost a year before returning to Ireland. This bar commemorates her last year in Madras and her strength during that period.
As part of the Madras Week celebrations, the hotel will recreate signature cocktails from the Connemara Bar’s past, offering a nostalgic journey through the rich history of the bar and the city of Madras.
Guests can indulge in the Connemara Classics, like Lemon Basil Martini, a refreshing mix of vodka, basil, sweet vermouth, sugar, and lime juice; Ginpolitan, a charming blend of gin, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice; Breakfast Martini, a distinctive concoction of gin, Earl Grey tea, orange marmalade, and lime juice; Connemara Stinger, a delightful combination of gin, grapefruit juice, thyme, and tonic water; Lady’s Buff, a tantalizing mix of gin, pomegranate juice, kaffir leaf, sugar, and lime juice; Gossip, a fascinating blend of gin, zucchini juice, lemongrass, sugar, and lime juice; Flirtini, a flirtatious mix of gin, fresh pineapple juice, homemade rosemary syrup, sugar, and lime juice; and Connemara Sparkler, a sparkling delight featuring Jacob creek sparkling, vodka, rosemary, ginger, sugar, and lime juice.
Apart from this, guests can also experience Lady Connemara Signatures like Since 1891 and Madras No 1, which are part of the existing menu. These are quintessentially classic Madras cocktails that are blended in the memory of the bar and the hotel.
Since 1891 is crafted in memory of Lady Connemara and signifies her last year in Madras. The ingredients have been carefully selected not only to tantalise your taste buds with a unique blend of flavours but also to represent her stay at the hotel in 1891.
Madras No 1 tells the story of Madras’ first bar, which opened as ‘The Cocktail Bar’ and was renowned for its iced drinks at a time when the city’s residents were accustomed to hot beverages despite the warm climate. Among the hotel’s pioneering feats was introducing the concept of consuming drinks cooled with ice cubes. As the licenced bar in Madras, the signature cocktail was named Madras No 1, representing this era with its prominent ingredient, a large clear ice cube. Its unique blend of gin and martini rosso reveals its flavour with each sip as it slowly melts, bringing out the distinct taste of basil, cucumber and pear, ingredients that were abundantly enjoyed during the British era.
