Mr & Mrs Iyer, New Alipore, Kolkata South Indian Restaurant

Restaurant Name: Mr & Mrs Iyer, New Alipore, Kolkata
Phone: +919830616462
Address: 50, Ullaskar Datta Sarani, Borough-13, New Alipore, Kolkata 700017 West Bengal India
Time: 08:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 200
Cuisines: South Indian, Beverages
Facilities: Breakfast, Home Delivery, Takeaway Available, Indoor Seating

We’ve discovered an authentic Udupi experience amidst the semi-lockdown mode, in the heart of Kolkata. This one comes recommended through our restaurant-owner friend who values quality and tradition. And with a name like Mr & Mrs Iyer, what can really go wrong?

A bold endeavour by a young enterprising Tam-Brahm couple, this pandemic born ticks all the requirements of a seamless Udupi establishment. Small, homely, family-run tiffin or breakfast establishment, serving an inexpensive range of wholesome vegetarian fare throughout the day. A prominent location, with tiny sit down arrangements and mostly delivery through aggregators is a great model for a dream start-up.

Mr & Mrs Iyer, New Alipore, Kolkata: Food

The menu rides a wave of popularity. For a cuisine so deeply ingrained in history, inspired by a saatvic or yogic diet, strictly vegetarian, comprising local, seasonal and fresh produce, it demands veneration to have remained strong amongst the community home kitchens and survived in authenticity and gentle nuances even after being handed down generation to generation. The Iyers cover an array of staple rice, lentil and stews, a healthy mix of homestyle family recipes that first come to mind for a typical south Indian breakfast. We choose an assortment starting with Kuzhi paniyaram (₹85), Aloo bonda (₹50), Ghee roast thosai (₹85) followed by a Mini tiffin set (₹200), Coconut rice with papad (₹100) and Lemon rice with applam (₹100), accompanied by an eclectic line up of beverages — Rasam (₹40), buttermilk (₹50) and Tamil filter kaapi (₹40).

Plus & Minus:

A slight delay in our aggregator delivery is compensated by the warm and inviting aroma of our Sunday brunch spread. And though the packaging spills inexperience and needs major attention, especially for all the seeping liquids, it’s the simplicity of intent and effort, which wins our hearts.

We begin snacking with the crisp outside and soft spongy inside, warm and fluffy balls of fermented rice and urad dal, with a touch of fresh coconut in the ever popular form of Kuzhi paniyaram, along with the batter fried, tangy, spiced potato and peanut balls or Aloo bonda. The full bodied south Indian filter coffee made with chicory, brings in the strong and sweet bitterness to our Sunday midmorning awakening. Next, the thosai or paper thin lentil and rice savoury crepe, ghee roasted in a flat pan charms in crispy finish, served with fresh coconut chutney and spicy lentil, vegetables and moringa stew or sambar. The heat of the piquant rasam, tomato tamarind lentil soup peps up the palate for more things to come. The mini tiffin set is a complete meal — with a freshly steamed idli, fried vada, upma and masala dosa. Comes with an additional house-special perky tomato chutney, a pinch of home-blended podi masala and ends with a sweetness of saffron and ghee cooked semolina halwa or rava kesari. The soothing cool buttermilk breaks the monotony with its refreshing tempering of green chillies and prepares us for the next course of tweaked rice dishes – the grated & fried coconut, mild rice with cashews is a stark contrast to the turmeric hued, lime squeezed, curry patta and peanuts infused zestful lemon rice.