Irani restaurants are synonymous with the city of Mumbai. Kayani’s is so popular even today. Their Bun-Maska (Bun Butter) and Chai(Tea) are something to die for. You can go sit there endlessley over for hours together. These places are frequented by almost everyone, from politicians to film stars to people like us. Even Bangalore has its share of Irani restaurants. I’m sure Chennai had its own share of them, but they have mostly died out barring a few. One thing that I know of is Irani, on the end of Smith Road, the lane diagonally opposite to Spencer Plaza, but barring the name it doesn’t have the usual charm. The place is indeed very small and you mostly need to stand. The mosaic flooring, glass cabinets and wooden chairs and the high ceiling are some of the highlights of traditional Irani restaurants. There are a couple of others but somehow lost due to the takeover of the Saravan Bhavans of the world. A South Indian version which comes close where you can generally hang out and spend time is the Woodlands drive-in on Cathedral Road. But none other that I know.