MANI'S LUNCH HOME, MATUNGA, MUMBAI

अहम अन्नं
I am food. Food is Brahman.

Everything that lives was born from Food, lives on Food and in the end, shall merge into Food!
Food is verily the greatest amongst all Creation!"

"Food makes the world go around"

“अन्नं वाईप्रनाह”

All life force comes from food

“अन्नं बहु कुर्वीत”

Let food be produced in plenty

"अन्नं ना निंध्याथ!"

Thou shalt not abuse Food

"अन्नं ना परी-चक्शीता”

Thou shalt not discard Food

"अन्नं बहु कुर्वीता”

Thou shalt grow Food in abundance

"अन्नाद्वाई प्रजा प्रजयांते
यह कस्चा पृथिवीम सृथाह
अथो अन्ने-नैव जीवन्ति
अथैना-दपियाँ-यंत-तथः:
अन्ना-नागुम ही भुतानाम ज्येश्तम...
आन्नद भूतनी जायन्ते
जतन अन्नेना वर्दंते...."

Mani’s Lunch Home

मणि’एस लंच होम

The Restaurant date back to the late 1937

Sri. V.S. Mani Iyer

सर। व। एस। मणि इयेर
(1911-1978)
ओव्नेर

History

Sri. V.S. Mani Iyer was the fifth and last one among children’s of Sri. Late. Venkateshwaran Iyer and Late Smt. Ananthu Ammal, as being the last son he was also called as Sampoornam. Both Sri. Venkateshwaran Iyer and Smt. Ananthu Ammal expired due to the epidemic attack of small pox in the early childhood of Sri. V.S. Mani Iyer. While on their last breath though they much desired to at least have vision of their children, the villagers refused as they feared the epidemic deadly decease might spread to others. Then he requested to give a slate and pencil to note down his last desire addressed to their only daughter, Smt. Lakshmi Ammal. He expressed his bereave to leave, all their children alone like orphan and requested Smt. Lakshmi Ammal, to take better care of her brothers. Smt. Lakshmi Ammal along with her husband Sri. Ranganatha Iyer was really worthy to the words and maintained the whole family with great care and affection. But they have also their own difficulties. The main source of their income was the meager amount received by Sri. Ranganatha Iyer the only bread winner by way of cooking to household function and ceremonies. By appreciating the situation on by one all the children left their homes in their early childhood in search of livelihood. Sri. V.S. Mani Iyer like that of his other brothers left his home town Palakkad in his early childhood. He moved from one place to another and traveled almost all parts of India and served with various dignitaries in their home kitchen. And finally came to Mumbai and settled with his own venture in the field of catering by 1920’s. With his sound skills and vast experience could easily give a very good introduction to Mumbaikars exemplary exquisite South Indian delicious delicacies. He himself as a born cook, cooked himself, served and delivered at houses & offices, in bicycle.

PROFILE:-

The present Mani’s Lunch Home, the exclusive South Indian décor opened sometime back in 1937 at 153/C. Mhaskar Building, Matunga, Mumbai-400019.

The restaurant serves only few items and never compromise on quality. It prides in quality with modest price. In fact Mani’s is worth to money.

The restaurant have a sister concern at Sion close to Sion Rly. Station, opposite to ‘Our Lady School’ serving exclusive varieties of Palakkad Kerala style Lunch and dinner.

Now on May, 2002 Mani’s have opened one new additional outlet at Model Co-Op.Hostel society (popularly known as Society), 384, Dadbawala Sadan, Telang Road, Opp: Sree Bajan Samaj, next to Sankar Mattam, Matunga, Mumbai-40019, on conductor basis serving with authentic entire gamut of South Indian delicious fine cuisine, breakfast, Lunch, snacks and dinner.

Special counter for fresh pure ghee sweets and savories were also introduced In the name and style of M/s. Mani’s Sweets & salties with varieties of sweet dishes such as Mysorepak, Bhoondi Laadu, Rava Laadu, Rose Jangiri, Badusha, Wheat Halwa, Carrot Halwa, Badam Halwa, Kaju Barfi, Kaju katri, Badam pista Roll, Cocoanut barfi and savories such as Mixture, Kara Sevai, Kara bhoondi, Omapodi, Ribbon pakkoda.

MANI’S LUNCH HOME

(Since 1937)

Plot. No. 153/C. Mhaskar Building,

Matunga, Mumbai-40001

Tel.24127188

A peaceful walk down the main road just in front of the Matunga C.Rly. Station i.e. Lakhamsey Napoo Road, past Welingkar Management Institute, then R.A. Podar College of Commerce, Ruia College and opposite Hindu Colony stands the humble modest “Mani’s offering every thing that is good in South Indian Snacks with homely taste and atmosphere.

The place opens around 6.30 a.m. and close sharply by 9 p.m. with a weekly holiday on ‘Monday ‘.

The restaurant serves only few items and never compromise on quality. It prides in quality with modest price. In fact Mani’s is worth to money.

The restaurant serve exotic perfectly light Idly, mouth watering Medu wada, Potato wada, Uppuma, Sheera, Pongal, in the morning session and in addition Kela Bajji, Vegetable Bonda, Dal wada, Rasam wada, Dahi wada, Onion pakkoda, Mysore bonda, in the evening session and vast varieties of crisp Dosa’s. All these served with limitless accompaniments of chutney and spicy delicious Madras Onion Sambar. One can consume as much as chutney and sambar as desired without paying any extra cost. This is the only restaurant in Mumbai that serve chutney and sambar in limitless quantity happily free of charge. Mulagapodi the so-called Powder Chutney really have a magical taste and it further enhances the quality and intake. In addition in the afternoon session varieties Rice such as Dahi Rice, Bisibellabath, Tomatoe Rice, Lemon Rice and Tamarind Rice also were served

The Restaurant on Sundays prepares a special South Dosa called ”ADDAI” in the evening after 3.30 p.m. which attracts customers in large from far and near. The Addai, which cost only Rs.16/- served with pure fresh Butter accompanied by chutney and sambar. On Sundays to meet the demands of Gujarati customers Sambar is prepared with out onion, Jain type.

Now after the demise of Sri. V.S. Mani Iyer in 1978 his eldest son Sri. K.S. Narayanaswamy assisted by his brothers S. Venkatesh, & S. Raman took the charge of the restaurant.

MANI’S LUNCH HOME

Plot. No. 12, Sion- Dharavi Road,

Sion, Mumbai-400022

The restaurant have a sister concern at Sion close to Sion Rly. Station, opposite to ‘Our Lady School’ serving exclusive varieties of Palakkad Kerala style Lunch and dinner. This shop opens by 10.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. for lunch and by 6.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. for dinner, with a weekly holiday on Saturdays.

Now Sri. K.V. Narayanan the nephew of Late Sri. V.S. Mani Iyer administers the hotel.

MANI’S

Model Co-Op. Hostel Soc. Ltd.

384, DADBAWALA SADAN,

Opp: Sri Bajan Samaj

TELANG ROAD, MATUNGA, MUMBAI-400019.

Tel.24021112

Now on May, 2002 Mani’s have opened one new additional outlet at Model Co-Op.Hostel society (popularly known as Society), 384, Dadbawala Sadan, Telang Road, Opp: Sree Bajan Samaj, next to Sankar Mattam, Matunga, Mumbai-40019, on conductor basis serving with authentic entire gamut of South Indian delicious fine cuisine, breakfast, Lunch, snacks and dinner.

This shop opens at 6.30.a.m. and close by 10.30 p.m. with a weekly holiday on Tuesday.

Morning breakfast includes Idli, Meduvada, Uppuma, Poori-Baji, Sheera (Kesari), Pongal and varieties of Dosa’s. All breakfast items shall avail up to 12.30 Noon.

Lunch starts by 10.30 a.m. and includes 2 bowls of rice, 2 Chapattis, one cup of solid baji, 2 cups of liquid baji, Rasam, Sambar, papad, pickles, butter milk and curd all at Rs.25.00. The full meals served on fresh plantain Leaves cost Rs.45.00 with one sweet dish/ payasam i.e. pudding. On Thursday, Saturday & Sunday the menu includes Payasam. The take away Carrier meals Costs Rs.25.00 and pure Vegetable set priced at Rs.50.00 per set.

Sundays Lunch menu includes potato dry baji, pineapple pachadi (Liquid Baji), Aviyal, and Madras onion sambar with pickles puleenji.

The lunch session ceases by 3.p.m. and thereafter-evening snacks session starts by 3.30p.m.

Evening snacks items over and above the breakfast items includes fresh Sevai cocoanut/lemon/plain, Kela Bajji, Vegetable Bonda, Mysore Bonda, onion Bajji/Pokkoda, and vast varieties of spl. Dosas Such as Palak Dosa, Ulundu Dosa, Set Dosa, Addai Dosa, Neer Dosa, Tomato omelet, Cheese Dosa etc. and Semiya Pulav, Semiya Kitchadi, Vegetable Pulav, and much more mouth watering South Indian Delicious Delicacies.

During the festive occasion such as Onam traditional authentic full Keralite feast and items were all prepared according to custom and tradition to suit the respective festive mood.

MANI’S SWEETS & SALTIES

Special counter for fresh pure ghee sweets and savories were also introduced with varieties of sweet dishes such as Mysorepak, Bhoondi Laadu, Rava Laadu, Rose Jangiri, Badusha, Wheat Halwa, Carrot Halwa, Badam Halwa, Kaju Barfi, Kaju katri, Badam pista Roll, Cocoanut barfi and savories such as Mixture, Kara Sevai, Kara bhoondi, Omapodi, Ribbon pakkoda.

Unlike other hotel, in Mani’s the term Ghee represents as “Pure Ghee” and not vegetable ghee. In chapatti also pure ghee is spread and not oil or vanaspati.

Among the sweets “Mysorepak” is highly praised and appreciated at large from far and near.

ARTICLES

(Newspaper & Magazines)

1. Aside Magazine 31.08.1990 a taste of the South

2. Afternoon 16.04.1992 God bless Mani’s

3. Maharashtra Times 25.07.1993 unlimited Chutney & Sambar

4. Loksatta 30.12.1994 “Mini Madras”

5. What’s In Sept. 1996 part of the city’s history

6. Tamil Times 20.02.1998 the one who popularize authentic South Indian delicious delicacies to Mumbai

7. Times of India 20.04.1998 Chutney Mani’s

8. Times of India 07.11.1998 A highly nutritious meal

9. Indian Express 23.03.2000 Relish South Indian dishes and do care about your pocket

10. Mid Day 28.07.2001 Kappi’s good

11. Times of India 28.12.2002 a dosa a day keeps the doctor away

12. Nav-Kal 22.11.2003 Welcome to Mani’s

13. Sangam 26.02.2004 Mumbai’s oldest surviving authentic homely South Indian Restaurant

14. Times of India

14.02.2005 Matunga Ma Mysore Masala

Khavo chhe ke

15. Mid-Day 24.05.2005 Mani makes the world go around

16. Mid Day 31.03.2006 declared the best South Indian Restaurant by Savvy Cookbook Food Awards-I don’t just serve food, we’re like home

17. Loksatta 03.04.2006 Merit List- Award Winning Photograph

18. Kalakaumudhi 10.06.2006 Matunga of Malayalee’s

19. Mathrubhumi Mani’s Lunch Home honored as the best South Indian Restaurant in Mumbai by Savvy Cookbook

20. Vanitha 01.10.2006 Meals & Sambar Ready

21. Mid Day 04.10.2006 Actor Salloni Aswani - Lunch Break

22. DNA 06.02.2007 Breakfast at Mani’s

23. Hindustan Times 04.05.2007 Cornucopia on a banana leaf

24. Mumbai Mirror 08.06.2007 the place is your Mecca

25. India Today 11.06.2007 Softest Idli’s

SNACKS

IDLI SAMBAR/CHUTNEY

MEDUWADA SAMBAR/CHUTNEY

IDLI WADA SAMBAR/CHUTNEY

UPPUMA

PONGAL

PONGAL WADA

SHEERA

SHEERA UPPUMA

POORI & BAJI

SINGLE IDLI/WADA

ONION PAKKODA

SNACKS (EVENING ADDITIONS)

KELA BAJJI

VEGETABLE POTATOE BONDA

MYSORE BONDA

ONION WADA

DAL WADA

RASAM WADA

DAHI WADA

ONION BAJJI

VEGTABLE UPPUMA (KITCHADAI)

SEVAI LEMON/COCOANUT

DOSA

SADA DOSA

GHEE SADA DOSA

BUTTER SADA DOSA

MASALA DOSA

GHEE MASALA DOSA

BUTTER MASALA DOSA

ONION SADA DOSA

GHEE ONION SADA DOSA

BUTTER ONION SADA DOSA

RAVA DOSA

GHEE RAVA DOSA

BUTTER RAVA DOSA

RAVA MASALA DOSA

GHEE RAVA MASALA DOSA

BUTER RAVA MASALA DOSA

ONION RAVA DOSA

GHEE ONION RAVA DOSA

BUTTER ONION RAVA DOSA

ONION RAVA MASALA DOSA

GHEE ONION RAVA MASALA DOSA

BUTTER ONION RAVA MASALA DOSA

MYSORE SADA DOSA

GHEE MYSORE SADA DOSA

BUTTER MYSORE SADA DOSA

MYSORE MASALA DOSA

GHEE MYSORE MASALA DOSA

BUTTER MYORE MASALA DOSA

MYSORE RAVA SADA DOSA

GHEE MYSORE RAVA SADA DOSA

BUTTER MYSORE RAVA SADA DOSA

MYSORE RAVA MASALA DOSA

GHEE MYSORE RAVA MASALA DOSA

BUTTER MYSORE RAVA MASALA DOSA

CHEESE DOSA

CHEESE MASALA DOSA

PAPER ROAST DOSA

PAPER ROAST MASALA DOSA

SPRING DOSA

DOSA - UTTAPPA

UTTAPPA SADA

GHEE UTTAPPA

BUTTER UTTAPPA

ONION UTTAPPA

GHEE ONION UTTAPPA

BUTTER ONION UTTAPPA

TOMATOE UTTAPPA

GHEE TOMATOE UTTAPPA

TOMATOE ONION UTTAPPA

GHEE TOMATOE UTTAPPA

BUTTER TOMATOE UTTAPPA

DOSA - SOMETHING SPECIAL

ULUNDU DOSA (MONDAY'S)

PALAK DOSA (WEDNESDAY'S)

SET DOSA (THURSDAY'S)

TOMATOE OMLET (FRIDAY'S)

NEER DOSA (SATURDAY'S)

SUNDAY SPL. DOSA "ADDAI"

SUNDAY SPL. DOSA "ADDAI" with BUTTER"

PANPOLI (ELAYADA) (SATURDAY’S & SUNDAY'S)

PURE GHEE SWEETS

MYSORE PAK

JANGIRI

BHOONDI LAADU

RAVA LAADU

BADHUSHA

WHEAT HALWA

CARROT HALWA

BADAM HALWA

KAJU BURFI

GULAB JAMUN

NEIYYAPPAM

SAVORIES

MIXTURE

KARA BHOONDHI

KARA SEVAI

TAENKOZHAL

RIBBON PAKKODA

KAIMURUKKU (CHAKLI)

MEALS

RICE PLATE

SPL. MEALS ON PLANTAIN LEAF

CARRIER MEALS

VEGETABLE SET

PAYASAM