Iyer Mess was located in an old house near 7th Cross Malleswaram around 2002-03. My then-fiance-now-husband and I frequented it almost every Sunday afternoon, for the Sunday special menu included majjige huli, paruppu and payasa in addition to the usual fare. This was the one meal that somewhat tended towards Amma's cooking, and to us was way better than any other meal money could buy in town.
Our work made us move to Hyderabad in 2003. But I travelled to Bangalore often, and had a chance evening free on one of my visits in 2008. I decided to relive old times by dining at Iyer Mess. But Malleswaram was a much changed place by then, and the unassuming building that housed the Mess had been replaced by a multistoried structure. Disappointed, I had to settle for a sandwitch at one of the coffee shops close by. An empty belly and a feeling of loss- not a good way to end any trip.
Recently (March 2010), we found Iyer Mess listed on Ask Laila while looking for a place to dine in Malleswaram. We missed the Sunday afternoon special, but managed to make it to dinner, which is typically lighter fare compared to lunch. The food was great, just as it was back then. We even recognized the same old "Saturday Holiday" board.
It was the same proprietor, and it would indeed have been a filmy ending if I could say that he recognized us.