It has been a long, long time since we ate at the “Family Room” or the “Children’s Room” at the CCI or the Cricket Club of India. Established way back in the 1930’s we’ve long loved the Sunday lunches at the club. Even though the rest of the club was strictly out of bounds for children below 18, and restricted to the Children’s Room, we enjoyed those leisurely meals served with great affection and indulgence by the waiters who didn’t mind being pelted at by babies just learning to eat or helping little ones tuck their table napkins carefully round the collar. But no sooner were the girls old enough to Vote, than we stopped using the room, happy to be in a more grown up atmosphere where the noise level was definitely more bearable and the meals free of pesky children running around.

But now as grandparents we’re back to using this facility which has recently been renovated. It is swanky and smart and still has the same caring atmosphere where children can be themselves. In fact this was the first meal where we could all eat without leaping out to catch P who now loves to precariously lean over everything or run around in circles making friends with those seated at other tables.

It was a wonderful feeling of not only going back in time but also revisiting old friends with the waiters who served wondering where we were all this time. The menus had the old favourites as well as a children friendly more up-to-date menu of pastas and finger foods. And of course our little P enjoyed every minute of his grown up experience, dining out in a fancy place with all of us, sitting in his own little chair and munching away on spring rolls and chapati and his perennial staple – yoghurt!

Indeed this will be our favourite watering hole from now on especially when we have grandson in tow.