Copy of Mohamed ali road in Jogeshwari

Its Ramadan and everyone speaks out the name of Mohamed ali road, for the delicacy from the pure vegans to the pure non vegans everyone wants to visit the south mumbai khau galli. No doubt the reputation of the place is very high and none will be able to match it.
However, the mini Pakistan of western suburbs, Jogeshwari has slowly been able to recreate the magic of Mohamed Ali road, in Jogeshwari. Opp the landmark Boston hotel of Jogeshwari station west, a lane has been put up with stalls. Beginning with Halwa Puri, to seek kebab and cutlets the area is full with lights and aroma spreading in the air. The stalls are not pukka structures like Mohamed Ali but they do help satisfying the taste buds of the ever growing and affluent Muslims in the area.
While at a visit there it also felt like i was at the Mahim fair and not at a khau galli where best of the delicacies were being served. I wont give full marks to jogeshwari but it still deserves a 7 out of 10. The reason is that the collective strenght and thought of the locals has in a way recreated the feel of Mohamed Ali road, but not the magik. As the police have not given the area permission to be open up the entire night the shutters are down by 11 pm.
This area is not so women friendly and majority of the people on the roads would be teens or adults who are quite religious so do visit on your own risk. I personally will always go to Mohamed ali road even if it is only for the firni or malpua      

ramdan mubarak

Noorani Sweets for malpua and firni

Not many sweet shops at Mohamedali road will give you malpua, firni of three flavours, rabdi and Noorani specialist masala milk. The sweet shop on the right side once you enter the lane is a good place to get your sweet buds satisfied.
For me it has to be the double dry fruit malpua, with malai and masala milk. I can finish upto 60 percent of the malpua and then go ahead with the firni a little bit of, vanilla, kesar pista, and chickoo all i can have. Whats the most yummiest dish i don't miss at noorani is their masala milk. It is a home made kind of think available in bottle served chilled and its awesome cooler. The other thing to have at noorani is their rabdi. Few days back i had brought a box of it and it got over within two days.

chor bazaar mein milen dal ke samosa

CHOR Bazaar the thieves market popular for its furniture, chandeliers and crockery is also known among the tasters for its Dal ke samosa. Tucked inside a lane opposite the noorani restaurant is a small dot of a stall which sells these wonderful well cooked pure veg samosa.
Now that the area is under the threat of re-development not many visit this side of the chor bazaar but still a regular flow of customers who know of this Ramadan special and only in Ramadan iftaar, they somehow manage to make it there.
It simple food, Dal and mashed potatoes inside a wrap along with some pudina (mint) and kadi pata (curry leaves)  and deep fry. The result you have is mouth watering samosa. Do put tissue papers on it before eating as it soaks a lot of oil. It taste lovely when its served hot, one bite and the taster should say uhhh garam hai...I like it that way.
Whats more special about the food is its dirt cheap, say for a dozen it will be like rs 30, at a time when one mince samosa cost around rs 10, don't miss out on this. For the vegans when you visit the stall it might not appeal but trust me its pure veg.
Now coming to the directions, enter from the chudi bazaar side inside chor bazaar, ask for famous noorani restaurant. stand at the gate and look north there will be stalls run by minor children selling mobile phones, next to it is our destination.

Ramadan Mubarak

bohri special gol ka sherbet

THIS you will find only in Bohri houses it is a cooler for the fasting. Jaggery sherbet is simple to make, one big piece of jaggery slice it into pieces and pour water on it. keep it for some hours until the jaggery melts. If it doesn't then break it with your hand and then filter it by pouring from one vessel to another holding a filter. This process clears all the impurities that were in the jaggery and then add lemon or any other ingredient you wish to for extra taste purpose. Then keep it in the fridge until sunset
This cooler you will find only at Bohri houses, its called Gol ka sherbet. It is made daily and believe me it gets over in a matter of minutes. My brother says it gulps down in few seconds and the relief on the face of a fasting person is clear. It also provides the much needed energy and restoring of sugar levels in the body. You wont be able to stop at one glass and thus bohris usually make it in large quantities so that all in their usually big families can enjoy it.I drink everyday two glasses and after gulping it sit for two minutes and feel the cooling effect in my system. Over the days the Ramadan proceeds all my family gets cold because of it and after Ramadan all visit the doc for medicine but still Gol ka sherbet is a must...

Ramadan Mubarak

Burhanpur ki jaleebi

IF you claim that you have a sweet tooth then only you should try this. Burhanpur ki jaleebi and dhai wadein, only available during Ramadan at Mohamed Ali road...I heard a lot of this and couldn't stop visiting the stall to try this sweetest thing i have ever had in my life. Those with diabetes strictly avoid.
My audience has told me that i don't write about how to reach the places mentioned, so this time i will oblige..hahahaha...Once you enter the khau galli of Mohamed Ali road..keep walking straight and take the first right...Walk ten steps and on the left there will be a board, mentioning, Burhanpur ki jaleebi...
The small stall in between many has a flame on. The big vessel you will find the dahi wadein and jaleebi soaked in sugar syrup. Ask for it and you will be served the delight from inside the big big vessel. Don't think you can eat much advise to order only that much to taste. Once you drop it in the mouth the rush of sugar and high bp is high. I had gone with my brothers and we all have a sweet tooth and thought we could digest this. It wasn't going to happen we had to quit with two pieces. If your going to only try this for fun then its OK and do remember the price is high.
The special jaleebi wala first had his stall near the Shia mosque at Bhori Mohalla and has now shifted his place for better business in the Khau galli..So brave hearts do try this unique only during ramzaan sweet.

Ramzaan Mubarak

12-handi ka payaa

IN the bylanes of Null bazaar off mohamedali road is a place famous for paya, the busy market is chirpping with handcarts and people in the day but after sunset and evening prayers the shop puts up its chairs and tables on the road. It is then the tasters hit out on the road to rejoice in the cusine of the brave (i say that because it heavy on the tummy).

Bara handi ka paya...or its called bhel in the local lingo...comprises of paya (bones), gravy and charbi (fat) put in seperately. The name 12-handi ka paya comes because the food is keept in handi big vessels over a tandoor. The man on the counter sits on a higher place and pours the servings by sliding the plates on the handi's.

I was introduced to this cusine by my grandfather who used to bring the bhel at home along with lamba pav and we used to have it for dinner and breakfast the next day. Now also the routine has not broken. In fact today only i was telling my mom will get it the coming friday evening.

Eating the payaa sitting there you will not get paav but will have to eat it with tandoori roti. One plate of paya and it feels like someone should not push you or else it would all come out...It so heavy food and the spices used ensure that you finish the plate and only then realise that you have eaten too much. Bohris call the bara handi ka paya as ''saath angli'' the name is because the man who serves the dish actually uses only seven fingers. Five in the right hand to hold the big spatual and two fingers to lift the plates on the handi's to draw the food.

for me saath angli is special in the sense that it brings the family together as whoever plans to get it announces well in advance and then the family eating together in one plate (thaal) happens...Then it feels like log khaana khaaten hai pyaar badane ke liyen, pet bharne ke liyen toh kutten khaten hai...

ramzaan mubarak

Hindustan hotel ke chooten kebab

ITS the holy month of muslims, Ramzaan, its also the month when the 'tasters' get out of the five star hotels, cozy chairs and reach the roads or may i say bylanes of south mumbai which serves the most tasty food (am biased) and the small eateries may not appeal when it comes to ambience but those who know about it swear by the food they serve and no matter where they are once a year they make it there somehow.
This month i will be writing about such places which go unnoticed by first timers and my purpose in writing about them is so that people visit them once and find out for yourself the delicious food it serves.
My first recommendation is my all time favourite kebab place, Hindustan hotel at Mohammedali road. This is a small hotel bang opposite the Noorani sweet shop and the most famous thing you get here is the Hindustant Ke chooten kebab. Its mince kebab and made outside the hotel in a big frying pan. The hotel has counter outside the hotel for parcel. The best way to enjoy is eat it as it comes out of the pan. Be seated inside the hotel and call for a plate of kebab alongwith lamba paav. Break the pav from the centre push two three kebabs inside, add a pinch of lemon on it and eat it like a sandwich or burger and i can loose anything if you dont shut your eyes to enjoy the taste as you chew on the soft spoongy kebabs.
The place as such is not very clean the daily wage earners kind of people visit the place for their daily meals but for kebab you will see people rushing there during ramzaan. I have been visiting the place for years now and my routine is that one plate i sit inside the hotel and eat and then take parcel for my family. The kebabas are given by the dozen and it cost around Rs 12 or Rs 15 per dozen. If your taking a parcel then dont forget to take the lamba paav from the next door bakery. It cost one laadi for some Rs 20.

There have been many stories that go with Hindustan Hotel ke chooten kebab. The most recent is i was sitting in a irani cafe having lunch when one Khabri kind material person was treating his boss a police inspector who had been shifted to the pydhonie police station. He said to the inspector Saab tell me when your on night shift i will bring kebab for you. After eating them you will tell me'...''yeh kya khila diya'''...

 Ramzaan Mubarak

Tandalachi Bhakri....

I have had many types of rotis', Roomali, Tandoori, Kulcha and so on...But for the first time i had a roti made of rice...Unheard of it i eat two at a recent one day picnic which i had gone to Bhivpuri...

The roti in marathi is called Tandalachi Bhakri...and it is said Mahrashtrians make the tandalachi bhakri very well. The making though is difficult and so its made only in rural areas. As people in the city dont know how to make normal rotis. Ok that was a bit mean.

Tandalachi Bhakri...its completly white in colour and one will make your stomach heavy. Its also said that the people in villages in Mahrastra have it as a staple diet as do in the South India, its rice and Sambar. The imporant thing about is that the rotis has to be had as soon as it is prepared, orelse it will get very hard and like a rubber tube.

But the taste with anything u have is really good. When i had it at Bhivpuri the owner of the mess told me he had a small plot of land on which he used to grow rice and then get the roti's done. Wonderful is what i could say to him and left the mess with a full stomach and a smile on my face..

Place to be for drinks with friends in rains

Nestled inside the thick forest cover of Aarey Milk colony, is resturant Aarey Garden which is a place to be in rains with your friends, to sip a drink or enjoy the food in open area while the rain pours on the tarpolin above making a loud sound. I have been there a couple of times and the place has become a favourite for me.  As it has for my college gang which has frequented the place to celeberate occasions like, bachelor party, child birth party.
The concept of aarey garden is quite unique in a sense that you get your own booze they will provide ice, stirrer, food and seating area. The place only has bacardi breezer to serve to you if you demand for alcohol. For my group which has good drinkers this place suits as one of my friend who has bar at home always has a good scotch or whisky botlle in  house. He doesnt mind to bring that on the table. however, he does have to carry a bacardi vodka bottle as one of my friend only and only drinks that.
The seating area is large with huge banyan trees all around if there is no crowd then it can feel a bit eeriiee. But once you sit and start going down memory lane and leg pulling begins then its just you and your friends. Advantage 2: You dont need to get up and go out for smoking.
The ambience is superb in the rains imagine one big open area, having tables all around trees, plus a guitarist who plays old songs, it gives a feel of some hill station, like matheran. The food is a mix of all cusines, sea food, non veg and veg moghlai, chinese, you ask for it and you will get. The resto has a family section which is ac and on weekends that is also full. there alcohol is not served.
If you are not going by a private vehicle mostly one should avoid taking it as at the exit gate at Goregaon everyday there is a police nakabandi that could land you in jail for drink driving. If you take the public transport then you can take the auto while going but coming back the last bus is at 12.30 which will drop you on the highway and if you miss it then doodh ka gadi or some fellow patron can help. The security guys also have some tie up with auto drivers who will come inside when called but avoid that in the night as the autowallas dont usually turn up.
Ps: A value for money resto to save on the soaring taxes being levied by resturants on alcohol. Get booze from duty free shops as my friend does and enjoy the drink. But dont have one for the road. Cheers. 

Theobroma---chicken masala roll

Theobroma has been in the news for various reasons...not so tastefull. Ofcourse this goes in the background once you eat their food. For me i visit this place which now has a branch in bandra, linking road when am bored of doing the routine high court stuff reporting. I visit the colaba causeway branch. My favourite over the years has been their chicken masala roll. Its filled with a lot of chicken mayo and some gravy. Today when i eat it the size has shrunk but the taste remains. I told the attendant and he agreed that the size is small now as compared to earlier. Ofcourse the dollar price has risen.
They have chicken roll but what is off the stock is the chicken masala roll. However, i have been lucky to get one always...I guess its the love for something that the world conspires to bring you close to it. The soft bread, with a lot of chicken cut it with the knife and feel the pieces melt in your mouth along with the mustard sauce (you have to call for it) it happens only in theobroma.
Many people say they make the best brownies and i dont disagree with them, try the walnut brownie and i bet you will want two instead of one. if you are a choclate person then add some choclate syrup on it and then keep licking at the plate till the attendant says..anything more for you. Aaah i miss that much of indulgence and the fat that comes with it. So since now i am on a diet with a target to reduce weight i visit the place less frequently. Also to try is the smoked chicken sandwich and their menu card itself says this is the most popular sandwhich they have. Must try for all those who think they have eaten the best chicken elsewhere.
Before leaving the place dont forget to eat their deserts call for any or the Adult Hot Choclate if your visiting a little late in the evening.

Nice Bong food

It was my first time to taste the flavours of Kolkatta and it will be a memorable one. Arsalan in Khar is a good place and the food is superb. Trying their Cheese coated Chicken Kebabas, lucknowi biryani and Stew Chicken was a joy. I longed for more but the stomach gave up. The fingers smelt of the aromas after eating the biryani. At very few places does this happen in mumbai now. The  exact masal used is still lingering in my mind. The lucknowi biryani is good. But am told the Arsalan special biryani is much much better. Will try that soon.
The resto is spacious with ac and non ac seating areas. Plus it only serves food no alcohol so only family crowd and foodies who like good food at very reasonable rates do visit and keep visiting. The attendants actualy say welcome and hi to all their guest who are regulars. The resto also has a fast food counter with egg rolls etc. I am sure to visit again and try much more on the menu of theirs. Finally i found one more place which is happy to serve good food.
PS: Firni for desert is good, it has a slight flavour of rose water in it. 

Miltary cafe..and pallonji rasbeery

In the bylanes of fountain area one parsi joint that is known to everyone is the Miltary Cafe. Among the regular visitors are advocates and those who want to eat non veg food. The old wooden chair seating is welcoming and the food is perfectly cooked and great taste.
Things to eat is, ofcourse, dhansak and egg masala fry which are any parsi joints speciality. One of the places in Mumbai which serves chilled beer with the food is Military. But what you will find on most tables is Pallonji's rasbeery drink. An aearated drink pink in colour and sugar shot. I used to drink this in my childhood during ramzaan while returning from masjid. In between it went out of stock and recently it has re-appeared. After the drink dont forget to have the caramel custard its out of this world. Gravy items can be eaten only with slice paavs. The rice is ok ok.
PS: Two people food will cost not more than Rs 300
Do expect a grumpy manager as he is a parsi but the attendants are cheerful. It has a non smoking section also.        

kala ghoda cafe

In a small lane near the Synagogue at Kala Ghoda, is housed the horse stable like decor place the Kala Ghoda cafe. A very small place with very bright interiors is a small cofee shop having a small menu of sandwhiches. Though it boats of being classy its not that suave but a good place to hangout with friends espcially in the evening when the area dies out. People dont rush into the cafe and you can spend quality time sitting on for hours. The food is average, ask for salads they make it good. The place is work friendly so one can carry a laptop and work. You'll find many firangs and indians showing off their apples (mac books) there. If you want a quiet moment then choose the inside tables which is much quieter. Or the table on the mezzanine floor.
The Kala Ghoda cafe is not so easy on the pocket but it offers good ambience and enough time to spend. The attendants dont rush you into making payments. Try the cafe after 6.30 pm, for better service.  

finger chicken at marol cafe

Andheri east...who lives there thats the answer many sobo people give when they hear about the area. But to experience a good finger chicken one should visit the Cafe Marol (old mangment) resturant to taste it. It's like any chilliya resturant. But the finger chicken here is awesomely made crispy and good hallal chicken. Eat it with little shezwan sauce and the chciekn melts in your mouth. Order it with lentils and still it goes well with the food. What doesnt go well is that youll have to order the food at home as the place though has an ac section still the service is not so great so better to stay home and enjoy.
PS if you like to enjoy pani cum chai then ull have to visit the resturant. The hotel is on the marol maroshi road.