Mumbai's iconic eatery Mani's now open for business... in Chembur

Proprieter KS Narayanaswamy with his brother, Raja Mani, at the new outpost. Pic/Sameer Markande

At the crack of dawn tomorrow, find your way to Komal Building, Road No. 2, Chembur, where you will find the affable KS Narayanaswamy flashing a warm smile, and offering you warmer still food. The proprietor of Mani's Lunch Home -- a landmark of Matunga that withstood the test of time over decades -- will re-open in Chembur tomorrow after a four-month wait.

Mani's was closed in June -- leaving its patrons distraught -- after the Matunga building in which it was housed went in for repairs.

Narayanaswamy (62) desperately scouted for an alternative location in Matunga, but the rents were skyhigh. During this period, all utensils, furniture and fixtures were stored in a rented room in Dharavi.

Confirming the reopening, he said he found a suitable location only by mid-August.

The old and the new
Those hoping to find an exact replica of the Matunga outlet will be in for a disappointment, though. The décor has changed and the furniture is brand new. Narayanaswamy said instead of hiring an interior decorator, he chose civil contractors well versed with setting up restaurant kitchens.

As for the decision to go with new furniture, Narayanswamy said the old wouldn't have blended well with the new décor. "Still, I've kept 50% of the kitchen utensils."

The core of Mani's philosophy will remain the same: simple and elegant. "The quality of our food will be the same as before," he assured.

KS Narayanaswamy at the new Chembur outlet. Pics /Satej Shinde

Loans to start afresh
Narayanswamy said he had taken loans from friends and acquaintances to re-start operations. The delay in opening and the expenditure towards overheads made him overshoot his budget of R30 lakh.

Narayanswamy isn't too worried about having lost patrons to the shift; he is sure that they wouldn't mind the travel since he shared a personal relationship with most. If that leap of faith isn't enough to lure you back to Mani's, remember they still serve unlimited servings of sambhar and chutney - a practice unique to the eatery -- to dunk your idli into.