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 Ice-cream is probably the worldıs favourite fun food, and it lends its sweet, cool charm to the establishment that serves it. The neighbourhood ice-cream parlour thus retains the happiest associations for the locality residents, and becomes a convenient point for friends to meet and entertain or make plans for entertainment elsewhere. Bronco, in
Kilpauk, has, in the three months since it opened, already become a familiar part of Kilpaukıs kerbside geography. Teenagers, families, couples, have all put this bright and cheery place high up on their list of most-liked haunts. 'See you in Bronco', they call to each other, as they leave Thiruvika park after the Saturday afternoonıs game of cricket; as they step out of their 3rd Avenue offices at the end of the day and as they jostle their way out of Ega cinema after a Friday night movie.
It would be hard to think of a nicer way to cool down than with a big three-scooper bowl of blueberry, butterscotch and chocolate, sprinkled with cashew and honey! Bronco offers not only the usual range of delightful flavours from Vadilal and Walls, but also its own exclusive preparations; Custard-Apple and Chickoo, most notably. Sunday is Specials day, and Anshuman Rai, the well-mannered, handsome young proprietor, engages his customers in witty conversation as he swiftly serves Kheer Ice, Banana Boat or Raspberry Zing!
 Customers are also allowed to devise their own multi-scoop 'sundae dreamsı, using up to four flavours and their choice of diced fruit, nuts and toppings. Interestingly, Anshuman has observed that lady ice-creamers tend to be more imaginative innovators than ice-creamers of the opposite gender. He adds 'ladies prefer chocolate, and generally go for sundaes, whereas gentlemen go for vanilla and sodas. When a couple comes in to feast - from the same bowl, of course - the lady selects the items'. Of course, one wonders how far the ladiesı savoury preferences are inspired by Anshumanıs charm! But he is genuinely thoughtful, as he has ordered heart-shaped bowls in which to serve love-bird sundaes to romantic couples.
Bronco is open from 11 a.m. till 1 a.m. The interiors are trendy but uncluttered, neat and clean, and ample parking space is available in the compound adjoining the parlour. For most of the day there is only the occasional group of teenagers, salesmen or adventurers, but the post-dinner and weekend post-lunch hours find the families and serious ice-creamers in happy possession. There are even regulars who come from as far away as Perumbur. After the first few visits to Bronco, one develops an affection for the establishment; drivers slow down when passing by, in order to take a quick glance inside and to wave briefly at the hopefully-familiar
silhouettes there, then pull away with a smile and a pleasant memory of a recent evening.
Anshuman finds, 'to most people, eating ice-cream is merely an excuse to socialise, or to relax with a magazine.' He points to his well-thumbed collection of 'India Today', 'Time' and 'Raga to Rock', "I will soon have 'Forbes' and 'Janeıs Defense Weekly' too." Visit Bronco for a good ice-cream and a friendly reception, to catch up with a friend, or, for a little harmless air-conditioned procrastination.
A Word of Advice: Anshuman, a big ice-cream fan himself, strongly urges ice-creamers to clean and examine their teeth regularly to ensure that they remain in sparkling condition.
Address
Bronco Ice Cream Parlour,
426, Kilpauk Garden Road,
Opposite Punjab National Bank.
Phone: 6461150.
Arun Masilamoni
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