Restaurant India News: Kishore DF Expands The Tanjore Tiffin Room to Pune

The Tanjore Tiffin Room (TTR), the Tamil cuisine-focused restaurant by restaurateur Kishore DF. It has opened its first outlet in Balewadi High Street, Pune.

Following the success of its restaurants in Mumbai and Goa, TTR has earned a loyal following for its authentic homestyle Tamil food inspired by traditional family recipes. While Kishore DF's hospitality portfolio includes brands such as Pot Pourri, Lemon Grass, WTF!, Seijo, The Soul Dish, The Big Nasty, Jimmy Hu, and The Butler & The Bayleaf, The Tanjore Tiffin Room stands apart for its warm, neighbourhood-style dining experience rooted in South Indian traditions.

The expansion marks TTR's entry into Pune while also holding personal significance for Kishore DF, who spent his years in the city, making the launch a homecoming of sorts. The Pune restaurant features a 130-seat dining space with both indoor seating and an outdoor deck.

Designed to reflect the charm of a traditional South Indian home, the interiors showcase earthy terracotta hues, vintage family photographs, heirloom décor, and hand-painted murals that celebrate Tamil heritage. The outdoor section offers a relaxed alfresco setting surrounded by greenery and illuminated with traditional brass lamps.

The kitchen is led by Chef de Cuisine Krish Shah, who developed the menu after travelling across South India and learning recipes directly from home cooks and local families. His focus has been on preserving the authenticity of traditional Tamil dishes while adapting them for a contemporary restaurant experience without compromising their original flavours.

The menu highlights a range of regional specialties that showcase the diversity of Tamil cuisine. Guests can begin with dishes such as Mini Gunpowder Idlis, Jackfruit Cutlets, Karaikudi Fried Prawns, Padmini's Mutton Cutlet, Madurai-style Roast Chicken Wings, and Pankajam's Lamb Chops. Signature mains include the restaurant's curry sampler, Mutton Ghee Roast, Dindigul Biryani served with Salna, and the classic Madras Railway Curry, all inspired by recipes passed down through generations.

The beverage programme, curated by Chief Mixologist Pranav Mody, blends regional ingredients with modern cocktail techniques. The menu features drinks such as Thalaiva, Green Latifah, Garden Galata, Gold Member, and Sundance Kid, alongside non-alcoholic favourites including Nannari Sharbat and the traditional jaggery-and-ginger drink Panakkam.

With its arrival in Pune, The Tanjore Tiffin Room aims to offer diners an authentic taste of Tamil home cooking in a welcoming setting that combines regional flavours, heritage-inspired design, and warm hospitality. For Kishore DF, the opening represents both a business expansion and a meaningful return to the city that shaped his early years.