The godown of a printing press turned into a restaurant. That’s how Petuk began and in three years of its existence, this restaurant in Kandanchavadi on Rajiv Gandhi Salai has made a mark offering authentic Bengali food. Now, foodies from other parts of Chennai beat a path to its door. The food comes at a pocket-friendly price.
Encouraged by the success of Petuk, the owners have started another eatery, which is located on MGR Salai where Kolkatta street food is served.
A long line of cars outside Petuk in Kandhanchavadi is evidence of the impressive patronage it enjoys.
The restaurant is minimalist in design. It has an endearing simplicity — it does not have air-conditioning, but its regulars don’t seem to mind this one bit.
Run by Maitry Dey, a graphic designer who took a career break to raise her child, Petuk’s beginnings were even more modest. It was started in 2013 on a 200 sq.ft. space in a godown, and within months — in December 2014, to be precise — it was shifted to a bigger facility in Kandhanchavadi.
The choice of food has been partly inspired by Annapurna restaurant in Egmore.
Maitry receives assistance from Anibran Dey, an IT professional, to run the restaurant.
“We used to spend Rs. 300 on just travelling to Annapurna, which was the only authentic Bengali restaurant then,” says Anibran.
Annapurna has closed down, but the couple claims that what that restaurant offered can now be found in Petuk.
Sixty per cent of their customers, the couple says, are from neighourhoods on OMR.
“People love to experiment with food,” Anibran says, adding that Petuk became popular after independent food critics reviewed the restaurant.
“I still do not know who they are.”
On weekdays, Petuk is buzzing with the IT crowd who come for a thali lunch (rice, daal , two vegetables and sweet chutney) priced at Rs. 100.
On weekends, the family crowd is predominant and the demand for take-aways is considerable.
A full-course meal for a person comes at Rs. 300. Petuk’s special dishes include fish paturi (cooked in mustard oil and wrapped in a banana leaf), Kolkata biriyani and hilsa fish gravy.
“If you are planning to visit the restaurant for dinner, don’t be surprised if Petuk disappoints you after 9 p.m. as most of the items on the menu are finished by then,” says Anibran.
At the restaurant on MGR Salai, a diversity of rolls — egg, potato, paneer and egg-chicken — is offered.
“We are planning to open another joint in Navalur soon,” says Maitry.
Petuk, located at V.O.C. Street, near HCL, Kandhanchavadi, is open from noon to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. (closed on Thursday).
Ph:9789826262
