– An afternoon at Villa Potipatti, a heritage property at Mallesnwaram

(With additional inputs and photographs by Anita)

Lunch and dinner served in the shade of a huge mango tree in the garden of an old style bungalow on a mild, wintry Sunday afternoon. No loud music or huge crowds or long waits for a place. The only noise you can hear is the sound of chattering squirrels on the trees with a bird periodically trying to get in a word edgewise.

The lovely courtyard where you can relax with your meal under the trees

The meal consisting of soup, salad, main course (choice of vegetarian and non vegetarian available on the daily menu) and dessert is priced at Rs.350 plus taxes.

Sounds tempting?

Check out Villa Potipatti, a 20th century bungalow type house and garden converted into a hotel by the Neemrana Hotels and Resorts. The quiet and charming villa is situated in the heart of Malleswaram right opposite the Bangalore Education Society on 8th Cross.

The impressive facade to Villa Potipatti

The place was definitely worth exploring (the name itself being mysterious and unusual) and so, along with three other equally adventurous women, Villa Potipatti was decided as the venue for our culinary and heritage outing on Sunday afternoon!

It took us a while to navigate through Malleswaram’s one-ways and find our way to this heritage property but it was well worth all the twists and turns! Not surprisingly, we let out a victorious whoop of joy when we finally saw the bungalow.

The rooms in main house are available for stay also. With its red oxide flooring, chunky wooden doors and stairs, quaint windows, large garden all around, the house takes you back in time to the early 20th century. The bathrooms are all done in white, which contrasts beautifully with the black cuddapah flooring. The place is filled with antique rosewood furniture, kalamkari carpets and framed old photographs and paintings. Room rentals are in the range of Rs. 2000 – 4000 plus taxes. Breakfast is on the house.

The multi-coloured salad had quite an interesting taste!

As for the quality of food, we were very happy with the soup, salad and the dessert (home-made ice-cream with nuts) while the main course did not make too much of an impression. The non-veg selection was rice with prawn and chicken, while the vegetarian was zucchini. But the menu keeps changing (you need to decide on that too before you arrive), so you might get lucky! The chef, we are told, is from Pondicherry. Also, only beer and non alcoholic beverages are served.

A garage like structure outside the main house has been converted into a sunny dining room

We easily spent a couple of relaxed hours chatting and enjoying the beautiful atmosphere of the place. A wonderful location for a meal with family or close friends where you can have a relaxed conversation in a serene ambience. A vist to Villa Potipatti is not an outing – it’s a special experience. Save it for a special occasion!

Address:
142, 8th Cross, 4th Main Road, Malleswaram
Bangalore 560 003, Karnataka
Phone: 080-23360777, 51280832, 51280833, 51280834
Fax: 080-51280835

* A few things to remember: You need to book in advance since they only cook for the number of people coming. It’s not a regular restaurant with a stream of visitors. You might also need to request for your seating preference (inside, outside etc. if the preference is available). Take the directions carefully, as the area has many one-ways and one wrong turn can land you in… Timbuktoo! Or well, close :)

A few more photographs:

The lawns in front of the villa

Another view of the courtyard

Inside the villa, you are transported back in time!