Idli House

I have been an idli eater every Sunday for breakfast and now it has become a habit that i will carry it to my grave. The whole idea of eating idli started because the sellers from Dharavi who come with their pom poms used to deliver at home. It was also very cheap, five pieces for Rs 5, now its Rs 10. But apart from the money part its was more about giving a break to the regular breakfast items which were available on week days---Poha, Bread Butter, Eggs, Upma, Malpua, Mince...Soon it became that idli went well with hot jaleebi and the story continues with Dhokla, green peas samosa....Seriously but constant was idli..
Recently i was introduced to a tiny place in Matunga (Central), Rama Nayak's Idli House. I know it has been since decades but it was my first visit. The visit started with Mudho a rolled idli in Kevda leaves. Then came the masala idli, my friends munched on Pepper idli. The two pieces of idlis that i had was filling enough for an equivalent to a dinner.
The other regular type of idlis are also available there be it ---rava idli, kanchipuram idli etc. The kafee in a dabbra is also available. While leaving i took two pieces parcel of everything and trust me the Sunday breakfast was too healthy and filling....Add Molgapudi chutni to it to have the taste of an authentic South Indian idli.
To everyone many more Idli House visits soon...

German Bakery Bread Blasted

This is a piece by my friend Partha Biswas, who lives in Pune and is a regular visitor to the bakery...


More than an eatery, Pune’s German Bakery of late has achieved an iconic status, due to the bomb blast that had ripped apart the Bakery a few years back. Renovated and reopened, the new Bakery is but a shadow of its former self.
Although, the location remains the same, much has changed in way of ambiance and the spread on offer. Rather than the pseudo psychedelic interiors , the resurrected Bakery is done in pristine white and blue. Blue chequered tables under beach umbrellas have replaced the wooden benches while colourful hangings have become a thing of the past. With only portions of the Bakery reopened, be prepared to wait before you are allowed to occupy a table. On weekends, the waiting time can range from anything between 15-45 minutes depending on the time of the day. Thanks to the security concerns, which would be permanently associated with the Bakery metal detectors and security guards have replaced the otherwise,free world aura associated with the Bakery in days of yore.

Once you have managed  to  get inside be prepared for shoddy service, and if your lucky, the blackberry yielding usher would be kind enough to get you the menu card soon.  Apple pie, german cakes and organic salads seems to have disappeared from the menu along with new age food associated with the place. Newer  and more conventional dishes have crept in the menu card, which some old times might find it difficult to digest. The service, which was known to be quick and snappy unfortunately have become slow. Also, the parcel services are not operational yet.
On the whole, go if you want to see some of your dreams wasted. If you want some place to hang around with nothing much to do, then the new GB might be the place for you. May be you would miss the old world charms but change as they say is the only constant