When the Chinese say aiwo, it means love yourself. But when Tamilians say Aiwo, they're taking about the new health boutique in Chennai, which has an apple for the 'O' in its name. It's first restaurant in India where rice and wheat are avoided in 85 per cent of the food, with only 15 per cent of the food using them as secondary ingredients. Instead, the restaurant uses barely, soya and tofu, to bring down the glycemic index - something that makes people sleepy after a meal. So tandoori roti is made of barley. And 'mind it', there's no sugar in the desserts -only low cal substitutes. At Aiwo, they also use foods rich in antioxidants, which help to slow down the ageing process. The cooking medium is olive oil, and they call their menu "Indianised International food". A meal fir two costs about Rs. 400 - and your order is delivered, not by a steward, but on a conveyer belt, encouraging you to serve your companion first. For details, contact: Aiwo, at G N Chetty Road, T Nagar, Chennai. Tel: 044-28158414.

Featured in Harmony Magazine

August 2004