Cafe Mysore

Cafe Mysore (review by Busybee) is one of the rarest type of restaurants in Mumbai. It claims to be the "Oldest Restaurant in Mumbai serving South Indian delicacies". Located on the King's Circle (aka as Maheshwari Udyaan or the L&T Circle), it serves a few South Indian snacks and what is called by the restaurant as a "Konkani" lunch or dinner.

While it is very accurately described in the review mentioned above, I will still highlight points that stand out:

• This is a "real" Udipi restaurant...the owners are from Udipi, Karnataka. Most other "so-called" Udipi restaurants are run by the Shettys who are from Mangalore or near Mangalore, but not anywhere near Udipi. Since it is the oldest, it also classifies as the "original Udipi".
  
• The idli is a classic one...extremely soft.
  
• The sambar is of a different variety (not the usual sweet one served at the "so-called" Udipi restaurants)
  
• The coffee is strong filter one that can be found in many South Indian's homes. It is not the milky Nescafe version (although that is available too).
  
• Just after the declaration of SSC or HSC results, the restaurant offers concession to students with first class marks provided they get a photocopy of their SSC/HSC certificate.
  
• When India won the cricket series in Pakistan not so long ago, they even had concession on a bottle of Coke (small Coke Rs. 3 instead of Rs. 10)
• Very thoughtfully, they have a toilet that is cleaner compared to the public ones.
  
• Very recently, they introduced a "Breakfast for monsoon trip to Lonavla" for Rs. 35. This breakfast is neatly packed in aluminium foil containers. One can choose from a fixed combination of Idli, Sheera, Upma and Puri Bhaji.
  
• There is also a "Railway Meal" (Pulav, Puri, Bhaji) for Rs. 25.
• The non-AC section is visited by several kinds of people - businessmen, South Indians from the nearby Matunga temples, students from the nearby colleges and schools, several Gujaratis that are residents of Matunga.
• On Sunday mornings, one can see several Catholics eating at the restaurant. Probably, they drop in to have their breakfast after the morning mass at the nearby Don Bosco church.
• On a final note, this is not a place one goes to sit comfortably and chat. It is strictly a no-nonsense eating place and there are no frills or other bells or whistles.