<p>A bite into the ‘benne masala dosa’ drenched in ‘ghee’ is a throwback to erstwhile Bengaluru. A bit of this crispy, buttery ‘dosa’ leaves one with a huge smile and a full stomach. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Standing as a breakfast haven since 1956 and witnessing the mushrooming growth in Malleswaram, yet resisting the change, Sree Sagar (popularly known as Central Tiffin Rooms or CTR) does well to reflect the old-world charm and ideals of Bengaluru.<br /><br /> Started by Ramakrishna Holle, it was renamed as Sree Sagar when Sanjeeva S Pujari took over the management in 1992. The English name board and the first floor are the only new additions to the restaurant. <br /><br />The interiors are the same – cramped and shanty looking, which makes the customer feel like he is waiting in a railway room with rosewood furniture and marble tops. Waiters running helter-skelter with unhurried grace and customers enthusiastically lapping up plates of golden, brown dosa with filter coffee or jostling for space is a common sight. <br /><br />A purist in the making, CTR does not serve ‘sambhar’ with their ‘dosas’ and prove their competence with the two varieties of chutney - coconut and mint - that have the right amount of spice and tang. This ‘dosas’ will continue to be a timeless tiffin item but other must-eats include Mangalore ‘bajji’, rice ‘bath’, ‘puri’, ‘idli’, ‘Madhur vada’, rava ‘idli’ and ‘khara bath’. <br /><br />Not spoilt for choice with the authentic and small menu, Sanjeeva says that he doesn’t want to refurnish the menu or renovate the restaurant. “People want a slice of old Bengaluru. What better way than experiencing food at CTR. <br /><br />Our ‘dosas’ are one-of-a-kind because we get our butter from Nelamangala, near Mandya. The rice is ground by hand and none of our items are adulterated.” Not at all intimidated by the fancy restaurants nearby, he says, “We only do our job.” <br /><br />Though many celebrities like Deepika Padukone, Ranvir Singh, Vishnuvardhan, Rajkumar and Shivarajkumar have eaten in this hotel, Sanjeeva finds it interesting that the new generation - from the traditional to the trendy- frequent the place for a feel of the old. A cream-coloured building, it can easily go amiss if passers-by don’t slow down to peek into CTR and understand what the mad rush is all about. <br /><br />CTR carries no pretence, no frills and shows only one path to happiness - through the stomach. Sanjeeva says, “I had to change the name when I took over in 1992 because of a few issues with the licence. However, people still call it CTR. It was passed on to me by a very simple owner, who taught me how to run this business and gave me important formulae for the food which I still follow.<br /><br /> Simplicity has brought us this far. This is not my hotel. It belongs to Bengaluru.” It’s an eatery that is a blast from the past and for one with epicurean tastebuds, they will go away smiling at having experienced a piece of history.<br /><br />CTR is situated on Margosa Road, 7th cross, Malleswaram and is open from 7.30 am to 12.30 pm and 4 pm to 9 pm. For details, call 23317531.<br /><br /></p>
<p>A bite into the ‘benne masala dosa’ drenched in ‘ghee’ is a throwback to erstwhile Bengaluru. A bit of this crispy, buttery ‘dosa’ leaves one with a huge smile and a full stomach. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Standing as a breakfast haven since 1956 and witnessing the mushrooming growth in Malleswaram, yet resisting the change, Sree Sagar (popularly known as Central Tiffin Rooms or CTR) does well to reflect the old-world charm and ideals of Bengaluru.<br /><br /> Started by Ramakrishna Holle, it was renamed as Sree Sagar when Sanjeeva S Pujari took over the management in 1992. The English name board and the first floor are the only new additions to the restaurant. <br /><br />The interiors are the same – cramped and shanty looking, which makes the customer feel like he is waiting in a railway room with rosewood furniture and marble tops. Waiters running helter-skelter with unhurried grace and customers enthusiastically lapping up plates of golden, brown dosa with filter coffee or jostling for space is a common sight. <br /><br />A purist in the making, CTR does not serve ‘sambhar’ with their ‘dosas’ and prove their competence with the two varieties of chutney - coconut and mint - that have the right amount of spice and tang. This ‘dosas’ will continue to be a timeless tiffin item but other must-eats include Mangalore ‘bajji’, rice ‘bath’, ‘puri’, ‘idli’, ‘Madhur vada’, rava ‘idli’ and ‘khara bath’. <br /><br />Not spoilt for choice with the authentic and small menu, Sanjeeva says that he doesn’t want to refurnish the menu or renovate the restaurant. “People want a slice of old Bengaluru. What better way than experiencing food at CTR. <br /><br />Our ‘dosas’ are one-of-a-kind because we get our butter from Nelamangala, near Mandya. The rice is ground by hand and none of our items are adulterated.” Not at all intimidated by the fancy restaurants nearby, he says, “We only do our job.” <br /><br />Though many celebrities like Deepika Padukone, Ranvir Singh, Vishnuvardhan, Rajkumar and Shivarajkumar have eaten in this hotel, Sanjeeva finds it interesting that the new generation - from the traditional to the trendy- frequent the place for a feel of the old. A cream-coloured building, it can easily go amiss if passers-by don’t slow down to peek into CTR and understand what the mad rush is all about. <br /><br />CTR carries no pretence, no frills and shows only one path to happiness - through the stomach. Sanjeeva says, “I had to change the name when I took over in 1992 because of a few issues with the licence. However, people still call it CTR. It was passed on to me by a very simple owner, who taught me how to run this business and gave me important formulae for the food which I still follow.<br /><br /> Simplicity has brought us this far. This is not my hotel. It belongs to Bengaluru.” It’s an eatery that is a blast from the past and for one with epicurean tastebuds, they will go away smiling at having experienced a piece of history.<br /><br />CTR is situated on Margosa Road, 7th cross, Malleswaram and is open from 7.30 am to 12.30 pm and 4 pm to 9 pm. For details, call 23317531.<br /><br /></p>
