Saappaturaami 6

A weekend out at Matunga is something I really look forward to. Matunga to me is a mini-mylapore. Gives me the feelings that I am in Mylapore near Kabali kovil. I manage a quick trip to Matunga atleast once a month - to buy Kumudam, Vikatan, to buy Kola-p-podi, tamizh books at Giri trading and ofcourse , to eat pongal vadai.

My colleagues and I do one quick .. er... elaborate lunch at Mani's once a month (Boss, I know you are reading this and now you know where we go when we disappear for 2-3 hours during lunch break).

As for other restaurants, there's this quaint little road side eatery next to Shankara mutt that serves awesome Pongal, vadai, pineapple kesari. Any morning trip to Matunga, I do manage to mosukkufy at this place. The quality and quantity at Rama Nayak's have deteriorated over the years... its no longer on my must-visit list.

Next to Aurora theatre is 'Idli House' - a restaurant dedicated to Idli, Idli and more Idli. To be honest, I am not a great fan of Idli - it is our Monday morning breakfast when our cook is usually late and we end up making idlis from the batter (obviously) purchased from our regular vendor. Idli is one number yeno-thano breakfast. It comes under this 'health food' category and thus by default not preferred.

Whether you have a fetish for Idlis or not, this place is a must visit. Idli House has a super duper variety of idlis, khottu and mudhos. Khottu and mudhos are the steamed varieties served in banana leaves.Idli House is your simple no-nonsense restaurant with three tables and four chairs each.

All idlis are served with two types of chutneys , sambhar, mulaga podi, Limbuda podi , pickle and oil (all unlimited). Apart from your regular idlis, you have Mysore rava idli, Kanchipuram Idli, Pepper idli, Vegetable Idli, Cucumber Idli, Jackfruit idli, Mini Idli, Idli Upma....

pic above: Pepper idli (l) : podis and urugai (r)

The sambhar may not be taste like your 'amma panna sambhar' but the Idlis are divine... and they are not very expensive. A plate of idli will cost you anything between Rs.10 to Rs.20

We planned our visit in such a way that we reached an hour before the mid-morning SA-RO-JA show at Aurora theatre on Saturday. One full hour of Idlis, idlis and more idlis + two hours of a jollly-good tamizh film. Aha! Vera enna venum?

Pic above: Masala Idli (l) and modhu (r)

The next time you are in Mumbai ,craving for some good idlis, go to Matunga, ask for Aurora theatre and look for this tiny place on the main road called Idli House. Oh ya, don't forget to come back and tell me how you liked it :)

Idli House

Next to Vasant Breezy Chamber

Kingcircle

Mumbai -- 400 019

Saappaturaami rating : 4.5 out of 5 {minus point five for Kannadiga Sambhar :( }