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"

“ annam vai prānah ”

All life force comes from food

“annam bahu kurveet”

Let food be produced in plenty

"annam na nindhyAth!"

Thou shalt not abuse Food

"annam na pari-chaksheeta”

Thou shalt not discard Food

"annAdvai prajA prajAyantE
yAh kAscha pruthiveem srithAh
athO annae-naiva jeevanti
athaina-dapiyan-yant-tathah:
anna-nagum hi bhUtAnAm jyEshtam...
annAd bhUtAni jAyantE
jAtAn annEna vardantE...."
 “ 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!"

Annam na nindyat. Tad vratam, Prano va annam, sariram annadam. Prane sariram pratisthitam, sarire pranah pratisthitah, tadetadannamanne pratisthitam. Sa ya etadannamanne pratisthitam veda pratitisthati, annavanannado bhavati, mahan bhavati, prajaya pasubhir Brahma-varcasena mahan kirtya

“Annam vai prānah”                                                       “ All life force comes from food”

" annam na pari-chaksheeta !                                " Thou shalt not discard Food!

"annam na nindhyAth!"                                                 "Thou shalt not abuse Food!"

“annam bahu kurveeta!                                                 " Thou shalt grow Food in abundance!"

Mani’s Lunch Home

(Since 1937)

The Restaurant date back to the late 1937 .

Sri. V. S. Mani Iyer

       (1911-1978)

           Owner

Sri. V.S. Mani Iyer a Keralite Tamil Brahmin, belongs to an Agraharam named Kodunthirapully situated at the outskirt of Palakkad Town, was the fifth and last one among children’s of Sri. Late. Venkateshwaran Iyer and Late Smt. Ananthu Ammal. As being the last Children 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 also, like all his other brothers left his home in his early childhood in search of livelihood. He moved from one place to another and traveled almost all parts of India and served with various dignitaries in their home kitchen.

Finally, by 1920’s he came to Mumbai and settled down at Mumbai with his own venture in the field of catering ‘M/s. Mani’ Lunch Home’. With his sound skills and vast experience he could easily gave a very good introduction to Mumbaikars the taste of exemplary exquisite South Indian delicious delicacies.  He himself as a born cook, cooked himself, served and delivered at houses & offices, in bicycle in and around Mumbai. Later in due course he himself decided to take his position as family bread winner and brought all his remaining 3 brothers Sri. Kesava Iyer, Sri. Sreenivasa Iyer and Sri. Krishna Iyer and his sister Smt. Lakshmi Ammal and his brother-in-law Sri. Ranganatha Iyer all to Mumbai and assigned his own business houses to all the three brothers individually such as at Shivaji park, Sion and also at Mahim in Rivoli Cinema theatre canteen.  Later due to managerial reason he was compelled to switch off his ShivajiPark and Rivoli Cinema canteen and that of at Matunga & Sion still continues.

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.  MhaskarBuilding,

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, RuiaCollege 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.

Good South Indian restaurant are hard to find

We can prepare South Indian food especially for you the way you want it.

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

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