For most of us summer vacation meant a trip to one’s native place, playing around for hours with cousins and of course, binging on delicious food prepared by paati. The joy and satisfaction of polishing off her special keera vadai, vendakka sambhar, mor kozhambu and the delicious elaneer payasam was unparalleled. However, the current generation finds it difficult to get access to food from grandma’s kitchen owing to hectic lifestyle. But a new eatery in town is giving us a chance to savor authentic and creative south Indian food in a traditional 50-year-old bungalow in T Nagar.

 Paati Veedu is the brainchild of Dubai-based Sirish Ramkumar, his brother-in-law G Mohandas and a large bunch of friends and family, who were inspired to create a space that celebrates fond memories of visit to ancestral homes. The glorious three-storey building has been decked up to appear like a traditional grandmother’s home replete with wooden armchairs, old photographs of Madras and a palaanguzhi game in the verandah. The place is divided into three sections -  Bhakshana (fine-dining restaurant, ground and first floor), Decoction (outdoor shaded café) and Bhakshanam (sweet and savouries shop).

  As you enter the giant dining area, you will be served varieties of welcome drink including a shot of paanagham. The menu has five types of sambhar; five types of kozhambu such as vatha kozahmbu, milaghu kozhambu, bonda potta mor kozhambu; rasams like pepper rasam, nellika rasam, murungakka rasam. You can sample these varieties in the ‘Poorna bhakshana’ meal, with 27 items, and the ‘Maharaja bhakshana’ with 35 dishes. There is also an option for ordering ala carte, where they offer pre-plated combinations. Dessert choices include carrot kesari, karupatti halwa and elaneer payasam.

 While the pricing might appear to be steep, Paati Veedu promises to provide a beautiful experience in a grandiose setting along with delicious food. Once in a while, we all like to indulge!

 Location: Paati Veedu, No 2, Bagirathi Ammal Street, T Nagar

 Timings: 11 am to 10.30 pm