It Evaded me for long finally i eat at Britannia Cafe

FOR long it has served people and now i understand completely why people keep going to Britannia Cafe in Balard Pier for the Parsi food that is simply superb. I craved to go there several times but did not make it. It was for my parsi friend Dilnaz who finally took me there on lunch. The cafe tucked in one of the roads near the New Customs house is in bad condition with crumbling ceilings and wooden tables with glass pieces on it, hiding the menu card below them. So that the waiter does not have to serve the menu card, first, for you to order and thus you sit less and eat lot.
Looking around the eatery you find a big poster of Prince Charles and his wife hanging on the mezzanine floor. Attendants wait for you to call them for placing orders while the owners sits on the counter speaking loudly to his relatives in farsi. Many signs only to be found in Parsi joints throng the place 'Dont sit for too long', etc.
When it comes to food the running item is Chicken and Mutton Dhansak and Salli Boti, but we ordered Khema Berry pulao. I was initially going to order some egg dish, my friend said this is not what i come here for, eggs i can eat at home also. So we settle for pulao. One dish for two is sufficient as food here comes in large quantities. Then comes the time for deserts, i order Rum ball and Dilnaz calls for custard and as children we warn each other before the order comes that either of us will not share our respective desserts. The food is over and we are greeted out with a thank you by the parsi owner who till sometime back was talking or shouting to his relative cant guess that.

PS: Good food comes for a price. No credit or debit cards accepted.

Quan a lovely experience

IT was pending for months and we were ignoring not purposely but due to some reasons. Quan the spa inside J W Marriott where we were gifted a treatment by our friend. The Indoceane Spa ritual is a treatment for couple. However, since their couple room was under renovation we (me and wifey) decided to go solo.
My masseur was Dina, she welcomed me with a namasten and guided me inside the treatment room.
It comprised of three things. First was the scrub, second the massage and third body wrap. The entire treatment is for two and half hours and the time is too much but it flies away. Dina started the treatment by scrubbing the entire body with a scrub comprising of sea minerals and aroma oil. Then was told to take a shower. After which i was given a lovely body massage. I had asked for high pressure on my lower back and shoulders which proved to be very soothing. Then came the super cold body wrap...I started shivering because of it. But the felling was lovely. Then a shower and off i am like a fresh flower. Sitting outside my wifey was all red due to the cleansing. We both agreed to coming back again for a new treatment the spa will soon be starting. As we left the Marriot the tired couple (due to daily work) was beaming with smiles.  Then a play at the nearby prithhvi theatre made the day more worthwhile.

PS: Quan is expensive but Worth it. 
  

Has diwali lost its charm

Political parties holding food fares offering subsidised faral, famous marathi food stores running out of faral as soon as it is kept on the stands. Locals taking orders to make faral. Where are we heading to in Mumbai. The entire Diwali being outsourced it will be soon that people will even outsource lighting of lamps outside their houses and bringing torans for their doors. The Diwali that i have grown up seeing has changed, then it was a family or building function but now it is more about showing or making it show that you care about your extended family. The advertorials also preach about meeting those whom you haven't meet or called even once a year.
In my childhood my neighbours all mahrashtrians (In my bandra building there are only two muslim families), pre-diwali days the air would be filled with aromas of faral being made in the neighbours houses. Then the women would do the entire household stuff and also be able to finish the faral cooking. Since my building has around 20 houses each houses used to make faral for at least 30 houses, as it is by tradition that first faral has to be distributed among neighbours.
When we were children the boys used to make kandeels for the entire building for a minimal cost add profit of Rs 5 or Rs 10 to it which was our diwali and money earned went into buying fire crackers. Now the kandeel making has gone but its more convenient to outsource it.
Old days on diwali day all friends would meet up at a common place and greet each other and discuss clothes, shoes and fire crackers and who would be bursting the big laddi. Now msgs on whats app and BBM rule the market. Have people lost connect with the festival or are people lazy to meet people living next door but want to connect with people staying in the US and UK by exporting them faral at double the cost which is a new emerging business.
   

have you eaten at cooper

ITS one of my favourite places not frequented by me but always been there to lift my spirits after a long inning at work. Cooper Chimney is the restaurant which i am talking about. It has been spread in the city at different locations my favourite is the one at Kala Ghoda. The place is small with good crowd and an ambiance which is inviting and soothing.
I visit there always when the Bombay high court is going to break for a long recess say like diwali vacation. The open kitchen is a full time pass while waiting for the order to come. The way the cook rolls the romali roti and throws it in the air is a sight then on the big tawa.
My favourite food there is the chicken seek kebab which comes in six small pieces and eating it with their chutney is like being in heaven. Then on the main course is enjoy the Butter chicken in their heavy menu they themselves have mentioned it to be their speciality and all time favourite of everyone. Seriously its very good the chicken is soft and the tomato gravy is smooth and as at other places butter is put on the gravy here while cooking it is mixed. Due to which the taste is awesome. Try the roomali roti and butter naan.
frankly i haven't had desserts as by the time i finish my main course am so full that i don't want to eat anything more but search for a bed to lie down but that is not available.
Cooper Chimney has several joints i have been to my like Kala Ghoda but there is one at Phoneix also and i don't like it much as people celebrate birthdays there. Its not that kind of a place.

Avoid pali village cafe

OLD bungalows of bandra have been either brought down to bring up high rises or some have been made into restaurants and one such horrible place is Pali Village cafe. The run down place in the name of old world charm can be easily avoided. The food is in small portions and has a very firangi collection of beverages. The place is highly over prized for the decor and food you get.
I was forced to be there to meet a good friend by an acquaintance who did not want to leave the friend and is a wannabe teacher living in High society Union park area. The girl ordered weird food and the worst is the pizza are thin crust and only two pieces for 120 or 200. In times of domino's and pizza hut offering four pizzas for the same amount you feel cheated. The variety on the menu card is too less. In pizzas they have only two chicken pizzas.
The crowd is either firangi struggle rs whom you see in bollywood films or Indian's who discuss their stays in foreign countries and trust me none of them know the difference between tedso rupee and dhaisao rupaiya...The place doesn't offer any grace or old world charm with unpainted walls and chor bazaar lamps. A little girl who was with us for the dinner shouted as soon as we entered is this a restaurant it does not even have a food floor and also does not have proper rooms.

PS: Avoid if you are not forced to be there. 

Mexico in Khar

IT was a birthday party that took me to the hip hop and sort after Sunday brunch place in khar which serves Mexican cuisine. Sanchos is off Khar Gymkhana in the new fine dinning lane where uber kewl socialites and resident bandraites spend their evenings and morning time.
Sancho as friends at the party told me is a very famous place. Previously it was in a residential colony at Delhi, where it was doing brisk business later it shifted to Conaught Palace, that did not work out well for them. Leading them to shut shop and re-locate to Mumbai.
The place is divided into three sections, a lounge area, bar section and sit down eating place. On Sundays, since the place has a high foot fall the patrons are directed to the lounge area.If the choice of your table or the one accommodating the size of the guest is available then your shifted inside.
The menu card is one long book but made in small folds and looks like a compact one until you open it. To start of with appetizers don't miss the nachos. It's super large quantity and made fantastically. As for the drinks they have good collection of foreign beers and sangria wine...One of the members of the group was a school going kid and she asked the person drinking sangria, why was it having the toppings. To which she said to make it look like a kiddi drink, would you like to try it...
To start with try we ordered don't remember the name but the chicken was really cooked well in red sauce which was typically like a Mexican girl, hot and sweet. If your with friends then you might overeat the starters but do move on to the main course, they have very good combination stuff.  I will admit i did not because my wife had an appointment at the beauty parlor.
Looking forward to few more visits here.
PS: It is a bit on the higher side when it comes to money. Go with credit cards you might need it. Friends said the place was reasonable in Delhi and they could hog but not here. 
       

Banana Flambe

A visit to tharagambadi (tranquebar) in Nagapattanam district of chennai is where i was treated to this awesome dish called Banana flambe, it actually is not a dish but a dessert which we had called after eating a heavy mix meal of Masala Dossa, Mutton Curry and chappati. After downing the heavy stuff we thought of bringing in some desserts and since a day before we had the usual caramel custard we experimented with it.
The attendant did recommend it to us the previous day also but we were conservative. However, left with only icecreams for desserts we did order it. The dish when served was on flames it had two bannana pieces, soaked in rum and hard sugar on it and the chef had put the bannanas on fire.
The site of the dish was awwww immediately me and my wife were like how do we eat this. The flame kept on burning and it did not seem it would douse. As we moved the bannana piece the flame spread in the plate as it does on the gas when lot of air is there. Thoughts passed our mind that is this the correct dish. Leaving it behind we somehow managed to douse the flame and slowly cut the bannana piece and soaked it in rum and wow the best dessert was in our mouth. The rum and the hard sugar did the trick for the bannana flambe and we were superbly thrill with the dish.
After finnishing the bannana we drank the rum in spoons quiet an unheard way of drinking but we managed it.   

Funny things which South India has to offer

 

1: At Mahabalipuram beach visitors shower water on themselves before entering the sea and then take water home in bottles.

2: Best way of bonding on the go. Motorist on two wheelers are seen pulling their friend on bicycles and chatting along the way even on highways.

3: Promenade, Rendezvous, Ajanta,Madame Shante’s, Le Club, Le Dupleix, Asian these are hotel names in Puducherry originally known as Pondicherry.

4: Ganpati’s immersion procession which had more than 30 idols of different sizes are told to line up on the promenade and paraded off by the police to the shore, where they are instead of immersing thrown from a height.

5: Home Ganpati idols are brought for immersion in plastic or cloth bags, small prayer is said and the idol is thrown in water with all the flowers.

6: Danish people went bankrupt time and again trying to set up their business bases in Tranquebar and thus had to sell their properties including a fort to the British Raj. The locals still favour the Danes over everyone else.

7: No Idli-Dossa or snack items served in traditional south Indian hotels once it is lunch or dinner time because, ‘Meals are ready’.  

8: Locals walk bare foot during their visit to monuments in Mahablipurram and god only saves them from cuts as glass pieces scattered around the heritage structures after boozing.

9: Auroville which is soon going to be an international city does not have electric poles on its pathways, thus all activities have to compulsorily stop by sunset.

10: You know you are near a ‘Spiritual place’ if you spot rows of stalls selling ultra-loose pyjama’s and kurtas with divine prints on them.  

11: The most telling sign of a place, hotel/palace/heritage structure being from the glorious past is its super heavy, unnecessarily large furniture, nonetheless with beautiful ornate work on it.

12: Women wear heavy gold ornaments with gods designs inscribed in them---they really take their god’s very seriously.

Jai Hind for the mill workers no more

IT was started with an intent to cater the mill workers with a dose of their weekly fish and chicken supper. Located in the mill heartland of Parel area near the bus stand the oldest Jai Hind restaurant, specializing in sea food has undergone a sea change literally. The place which was divided into ac and non ac section has become only ac. The price of the thalis and sea food has reached new limits but the food quality remains the same.
Giving into the changing economic and social status of people in the area the place has refurbished interiors, cushion chairs (earlier it was only big tables and one piece sitting), the attendants now are more courteous and forthcoming in asking what the patron want to eat and with what kind of bread. Earlier it was you order and you will get but no add ons or suggestions by the attendants. The service too was slow but now it can serve on time and the attendants though have not been changed but given a refresher course in hospitality management.
Coming to the food, for the sea food lovers its is the place to be, not so high on price but quiet high (i am comparing it with days when the inflation had not hit India). My indulgence is Chicken Sukha Thali which comes with Malwani styled cooked chicken with vaade a small portion of rice and sol kadi. The thali is sumptuous and whenever i am on night shift at work i dedicate one dinner at Jai Hind.  
This time i took along a friend and she liked the squid a lot though it should have been eaten with either neer dosa or roti she eat it without it but was gagag about the gravy and spices used. The mill area has developed or developing everyday, as it is always work in progress. Hope Jai Hind continues to remain there and willing to serve the upper middle class as well as the locals who surely have stopped coming there--reason being the increased prices and the crowd gathering.

Byculla's persian darbar

Under the Byculla bridge where traffic doesn't stop and people keep pushing each other either to reach the station or make way for people carrying good on their head or carts. The areas is highly populated as on one side is the mustafa bazaar, second it the byculla municipal market and the railway station. Between the two is Persian Darbar. A highly specialised mughali resto which serves authentic full of great taste food.
The ground plus mezzanine floor resto has several compartments for large groups and families, they even have a sitting section for people who prefer to sit and eat.
For food if you happen to visit it is a must must to eat Chicken crispy, its with shezwan sauce and then move on to their tandoori..If you have the time and space in your stomach and more important people with a good appetite then  try their Ran Biryani it comes in one big plate with a lot of lamb and biryani rice. Its a feast the attendants understand if you call for it. The number of people visiting with you at Persian is more important the more the better you feel after leaving the place. As you would have eaten a lot and tried almost all their special dishes. In main course again a must is to have their daal ghosh or dabba ghosh, the place confirms that mutton is a royal dish and only few places can cook it well. After eating the sumptuous and fantastic food served at Persian, in case you have space in your tummy or want to test your limits then visit the Gupta Ice cream centre near the Sales tax office to enjoy the best malai kulfi and butter scotch candy.

PS: It feels that mutton is not not unhealthy after eating at Persian Darbar.     

One of the oldest Chinese place

EK Chicken Allaphus le aana aur dekho, Peter ko bolon jara chicken acchi tarah se banayen...This is Amol Palekar's dialogue in the film Choti Si Baat, when he is trying to impress his to be and playing with his opponent Asrani. The trio are sitting in the hotel called FLORA, located at Worli Sea face.
The place know for its Chinese for years, flora was in town even before the China's from mainland landed into mumbai from the china gate's.. the charm of the place lies in its attendants who are way past retirement age and walls having big dragons and Chinese lanterns on the ceiling, give the place an old world ambience's which is seldom to find now days, reason being the road side Chinese culture flourishing in Mumbai.
Yesterday me and my college friend visited Flora after almost a year and nothing has changed still it is the same--people, decor chairs, tables and even the table cloth color, no drinks served outside but only in the permit room its a place stuck in time.
But the food is awesome not spicy like the road side not high on artificial flavors and huge huge quantity...We ordered for a man chow soup one by two and each got one bowl full of soup. After that we did not dare to order for starters directly moved to main course and one triple rice was more than sufficient for the two. If we hadn't been hungry it would have to be left. The price is a bit high for the food we got a bill of Rs 900 for that much of food.
however, if you want good Chinese food and lot of breathing space while eating go early as they shut by 11.30 and stuff yourself.       

The Cafe which calls itself Yellow tree

IF you want to enjoy a quiet tic tac with the special one or its a gathering of old friends and want to see all are seated comfortably and the attendant is not over enthu or keen on hushing you out then this Pali Hill joint which has a great ambience's always welcoming with the correct amount of lights is the place to visit.
The Yellow Tree cafe is opp the zig zag hill in Bandra. The small but two storey cafe is divided into one the bar and outdoor section on the ground with a fine dinning area on the first and lounge on the second floor. I have been to the first floor always and sitting by the window seeing the super luxury cars pass by is always a good feeling. The food served is Italian and continental but the portions are good and so is the quality. I will recommend the entire menu as most of the things i have eaten were superb my group birthdays and get together mostly happen here so we are very comfortable going to Yellow tree.
The Ambience is good recently i recommended the place to my friend who visited with his wife on a birthday occasion and he completely liked the place. No regrets and he has promised me that he will also post his experience in the comment collum. Regarding the price it is slightly expensive but all the hotels in pali area are like that. Be it MIA cucino, 5 spice or soul fry.  

Lunch under the tree

IT a hot sunny day its the state cabinet meeting on at the Vidhan Bhavan and people are rushing to and from it the atmosphere around is of tension and work work work. In between all this sits Mrs Sawant aka Mausi under a tree on the road leading to Vidhan Bhavan opposite the main Mantralay gate spreading his bag containing home made food.
I was introduced to it by an acquaintance who is a regular for non veg food. I generally avoid non veg food at first time places i visit and from local eateries. So i ordered for veg food and i got one bowl of sprout, meethi bhaji, some chana masala (not spicy) and to go with it Nachni (millet) Bhakri (bread). The food is simple to the stomach yet filling, i eat only one and a half piece of the bhakri and was full did not take rice. The food is not spicy or doesn't smell of bad oil its purely home made good food. Served through mother type looking Mrs Sawant who is happy to serve and also earn her livelihood.
This concept of kutubh sakhi, which is self impowerement of women is a concept prevalent in Indian mostly in Maharashtra where women cook at their homes and supply outside. This has worked well and many women have put up stalls during lunch hours to serve people visiting government offices, missing their home dabbas in office. The food is cheap starts with rs 30 a plate and maximum would be Rs 50 per person.

PS: No place to sit either eat standing or sit on the footpath. 

Eid special----sheer khurma

FINALLY the 30 days of fasting is over and the celebrations begin. If Muslims love their food then how can eid be without a eid special item. It has to be rich with a lot of dry fruits and substitute to food. So it is sheer khurma. It is simply saying favoured milk. But the making is an effort. Over the years my grandfather who pioneered the making of the sheer khurma has passed it on to my mother and aunt. I still remember how he used to teach them how many almonds, sew and other ingredients to be put and how should they be cut.
For us luckily it has be perfected by my mom and aunt and still the same taste and favour is there.
Sheer Khruma is not easy to make at my home the ingredients are collected couple of days in advance, then very rich quality milk is called for. The milk is cooked until it gets golden and then the add ons are put. Then keep cooking for an hour or so on low flame. The chances of the milk going bad are high if it is of poor quality so insist on good quality milk. nowadays that's available only in tetra packs. Once its ready, serve it hot with a lot of sev in it.
Before the biryani is rolled out...

Eid Mubarak

Ramadan for me

THE essence of the holy month is to imbibe discipline, rebuilding the faith in Islam and a way of teaching to learn self-discipline with which a lot can be achieved. It also signifies that one should not forget prayers and Allah in the daily chores. It’s Ramadan the holy month in Islamic calendar.

Over the years, i have come to understand that Ramadan may be all those things mentioned in the para 1, for everyone, but for me it’s more of being with my family and brothers. It’s during the iftaar that all four brothers sit together and break our fast and share the meals, which on any other given day is never possible. This sharing not only brings us close but is a way to build that strong bond which keeps us going all during the year without talking regularly.

During those 30 minutes of during and before iftaar, the coming together is very important for all of us. We our pursuing different professions but returning back home we don't forget to get some food to be eaten during iftaar. The bottom line while purchasing is not about thinking of what i want to eat but what my brothers would like to eat. Prices soaring of eatables and other products which other times would have been a factor never thought of.  The aim is to please others and in a way to seek blessings from them.

Ramadan Mubarak

Convenient Kurla

It never struck me that Kurla the warehouse of Mumbai will also have such good eating places and as a taster i was introduced to it last night. It was my badi raat where you are up the entire night and pray. Accordingly that was done and for seehre my younger brother said we should go to kurla to get the food.At 3.30 am we drove through empty roads of BKC to reach kalpana talkies.
To my surprise the area was buzzing with people at that hour, cars, bikes and people. It was like a small Mela. The resto, Sahara, deluxe, Delhi zaika, seek paratha wala behind kalpana talkies, jafraan, have put up huge stalls on the road and have two to three malpua makers sitting with their big fry pans.
My brother said we should try the rajdhani malpua, it is a huge malpua filled with dry fruits and gulp it down with fresh malai..Then was the turn of kheema and surprisingly the mince was soft, well cooked and not too oily. The chai latter on made a perfect seehree, but the USP of the place is that its convenient and all are welcomed. Unlike, Jogeshwari where reservations to the fairer sex can be made out..
The seek kebab joint behind kalpana i am told is very famous and does a lot of business even in non Ramadan days, when i tried it the kebab was really soft and made for a good combination with the paratha. Take a parcel as the place is not that great to sit and enjoy the food. Their chutney is also a good supporter. For me instead of spending an hour to reach Mohammad ali road from bandra, this is a new viable option which i will keep on exploring...
Don't forget to try the lucknowi firni from the place which calls itself the original lucknowi cuisine

Ramadan Mubarak

shalimar the old horse going strong

At the junction of bhendi bazaar and dongri lies the huge landmark of Muslim ghetto Hotel Shalimar. The huge premise of the hotel can serve around 600 people at a time. It is a place where everyone non Muslims visit and say they have eaten at Mohammad Ali road.
The long halls a huge pool with sharks and cat fish is an attraction for the children and patrons. The fast food joint is a super hit with its shorma the pick of it and so are the pizzas. The most tasted is their ice cream falooda which people just go and drink. Inside the hotel don't forget to try the non veg platter and butter chicken, it their speciality. Ask for chicken dishes in Chinese ask for chicken chilly with gravy. The biryani is nice and during ramdan dont forget to try the kullad rabdi...slurp slurp...its the best...rest of the food is routine and not out of the ordinary. But the ambiance and the feel of large Muslim families, turning up to eat together is a nice feeling. 

Ramadan Mubarak

CNG (Chinese and Grill)

This is one resto at Mohammedali road which started as a purely Chinese place to provide an alternative to the tasters who were high on the mutton and chicken dishes served in the lane. It was rarely visited during the old days when the tasters and the audience liked to hog more on the original Indian delicacies like, bhuna ghosh, brain masala, gurda etc. But with the dwindling tasters of good food and people with less appetitte and ability to digest rich food the place has seen a lot of crowd.
I personally don't like it, the tacky name C&G which means Chinese and Grill Puts me off. One thing good though which has started few years ago is that it serves nali nihari, haleem which is really worth the try. The place has encroached a lot of space and thus leaving the poor local women selling sandan (rice pudding) at the very far end of the khau galli.
The service is slow but the Chinese food is good and it also serves sizzlers which is again a put off at least during the holy month. But wannabe crowd does try it and families do visit the family section to enjoy the delicacies. If your really not satisfied with the raste ka food and have reservations about it but still want to boast of visiting Mohammedali road, then hop into c&g.

Ramadan Mubarak 

chudi bazaar

This is not related to food but its is with Ramadan and one cannot forget it. The famous chudi bazaar at bhendi bazaar is a place to be if one wants to get the best and the largest variety of glass bangles. The lane opp shalimar hotel which is normally bustling with footwear and other personal accessories stalls changes into the famous Mumbai chudi bazaar.
I had always seen it while passing through it but only when a friend insisted that she wanted to buy chudis and that also from there we had visited the place. This has been some years now. A week before when i passed from there it still is the same. Almost 20 stalls selling glass bangles with a lot of lighting on the stalls to attract customers. The crowd here is not that heavy during fasting days but when it comes to the night before eid and the crowds throng the roads for eid shopping this small lane is filled with women wanting to buy the latest and different combination bangles. The look of the bazaar is so bright that one might feel its still day time but it actually is not. So if you want to impress your wife/gf/friend with bangles then do visit the bazaar for the large variety...Don't forget to bargain..

Ramadan Mubarak

the fighting brothers of bandra who serve delicious food

EVERYONE in bandra knows where 'Jeff caterers' is..Junction of chapel, varoda and station road. The shop is small now next to a medical and run by a lady. Next to it is Lucky caterers run by the brother in law of the lady running Jeff.
Earlier it used to be called as only one Jeff and the one big shop now two used to curl out delicious dishes. However, nothing has changed except that the customers have been divided but business for gods grace is available to both of them. During Ramadan the shops have lovely things on offer. Try the red potatoes from lucky, the Russian cutlets, mince patties. While look for lollipops, chicken rolls and ragda Channa from Jeff. The servings are good and most important is the food is cooked stored and sold in hygienic conditions. Oh and don't forget to try the small samosa from both the places its worth the try.
For us the daily dose from these two places is required. Among the many changing items we bring daily from there the red potatoes is permanent. Earlier when i used to throw out a traditional wear, eid party for my friends this was a great supporter with the biryani. Oh those days have gone the meetings and people have moved far away but the food remains and my taste.
Over the years the price has risen and now with rs 300 in hand we can get only few things but its worth it.

Ramadan Mubarak

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. 

fashion street samosa

Fashion street is a long road side shopping which every mumbaikar has once walked and bargained to buy few tees. Ofcourse there is a khau galli across the cross maidan but a very recent entry into the fashion street is the samosa sellers. These are people carrying their stock in big boxes. Stop them anywhere and they are happy to serve. Mostly you will find them in the evening hours as their clients are gala owners and not the shoppers. You dont need to search for them as the samosa walas have divided their area of operations in a way that around three or four samosawalas cover the entire fashion street so youll see one guy with a big box after every ten or 20 shops.
You can either ask for the banake or plain. Bankein means the samosa is mashed and then ragda is put on it along with chutney sweet and spicy. Normally banakein mein you get only one samosa as the plate is full of ragda. But the taste is awesome...dont ask for extra spicy chuttney as it can be really spicy. The samosas are hot and fresh and tasty.

PS: Bankein plate is for Rs 15     

marathi food

There are many fancy places which serve in the name of authentic marathi food just food. Among the many there are two at dadar..Gypsy and Aaswad. Both the places are almost next to each other they serve the same kind of food with the only diffrence that Gypsy gives your larger portions then aaswad and charges more. There is not much diffrence in the taste. Located at shivaji park it attracts maximum number of marathi population around the area. Gypsy takes pride in opening a branch in Dubai also now.
What i hate about the two places is that they both have included south indian, chat and pav bhaji in their menu that puts of a foodie like me who wants to taste the speciality of the place. I would'nt go to a parsi joint and order chicken saguti...Similarly i dont want a person on the next table eating pav bhaji or sev puri.
If your there then call for wadi..thali peeth..then masale bhat...varan bhat with lime...pitla or simple vangi and bhakri..down it with karwas or if its summer then aam panna. That is what marathi food is.

PS: Gypsy is open all days and has a chinese resturant also where all the marathi actors who prefer staying in dadar then in parla dine.
Aaswad is shut on Monday as per Dadar culture..
Price for two person around 200.

tea centre of suburbs

IT can be passed out as the tea centre of the suburbs. Tossa the diner at Vile Parle east is a nice place. Though all veg it is a good place tyo visit. They term their food is mini meals and have diffrent cusines like gujrathi and north india. the portion is good and food tastefull. The place has ample parking and good seating area. Do try the kesar tea it is nice and kadak. The best time to visit is monsoons when you hear the sound of rains and sip on the tea and eat a nice mini meal.
I liked ambience much more than the food so..in this review am a bit influenced..

parsi..irani bakerys

Mumbai has lost its irani and parsi eateries but in this touf times one bakery which stands out is the Kayani bakery at Dhobi Talo..The bakery store cum restaurant is a place to visit and i make it a point to do so whenever i am around the place. The happy waiters make the eating much more pleasant. Must to try is their chicken pattice it melts in the mouth and ofcourse parsi omlette and parsi bhurji. The old school design of placing the menu card on the table below a glass is still the most fantastic idea for the patrons. The menu is so long that it is an A3 size menu card. Having everything from diffrent types of sandwiches to pastries.
For me the addiction is their pattice and one garam chai with a nice bun maska or good old mawa cake..they have choices of badam, walnut or plain...If there is time i try all three of them and keep repeating the chai. The best part of this bakery is the entrance where a rope is hanging and you have to hold it and climb the stairs to get inside the bakery..All the dickras and dickres do use the rope it gives a lot of pleasure. Don't miss the new signs of warning. (Use of laptop strictly prohibited. Please do not sit for long time after refreshment...BY ORDER)

PS: For the best rum soaked cake during Christmas do visit Yazdani bakery in Fort.

Badshah snack and juice centre

ITS an old custom of Mumbai which is now no more there but in olden days a newly married couple after their wedding reception was over would visit the Badshah juice centre or the Haji Ali Juice centre, where the groom and his friends would order for juice and the bride would sit inside the car and weep for the change of house.. (sorry i dont understand it). I know this sounds a century old custom but Badshah was established in 1905.
The pure veg joint is famous for its chaat i love the dahi bata puri...(a friend said to me start with it so that your ready to down the many more great stuff which come later) and since then i have been doing that. The second on the course is their pav bhaji its lovely..Then their burgers..Last if you think your done then dont forget to gulp the Badshahi falooda...It doesnt come in the glass but in a bowl and it takes a long time to finish...The visit to badshah makes you sleepy so do visit with that in mind and do eat as much as you can because going to crawford market does not happen daily. 

alibaugh in the rains

THE New destination for mumbaikar for second home is Alibaugh...It also one of the closest getaway destinations. A very calm and relaxing city. Its small bylanes and roads have many wonderful eating out places. Like the Mayur bakery is located in the main market ahead of the ST stand it is an all womens bakery meant for women empowerement..The bakery is huge unlike the ones in Mumbai. Its infact a big mansion which is converted in a bakery. Everything you get there is freshly made and sold immediately...literally hot cake. Its only veg but the veg pattice is very nice (sorry am a strict non veg when eating at bakery) cakes biscuits and the vaati cake (commonly know as mawa cake) are in egg and without. Try both.
Hotel Sanman, if your at alibaugh then you have to visit this small sea food joint once again in the main market of alibaugh. Here you get to eat Jitada, it a fish the owner said to me only available in Alibaugh as rest all is exported to foreign countries. The food is awesome here..call it by thali or ala-carte..I havent heard of anyone saying i did not like it...Place is closed on Thursday...

for the vegans pancham puri

MUMBAI eats its lunch on the go and to cater to this very idiotic life style there are eateries spread across the central business hub of fort area. One of that is Pancham Puriwala located on Bazaar gate street the small eatery which earlier did not even have seats and had put up tables where you can stand and eat the food is now renovated and has sufficient seating area.
The food is light and awesome, every saabzi goes well with either the normal puri or the masala puri. Down it with the lassi or chaas and a perfect lunch on the go is done your full and light at the same time. It is not a recommended place for those people who have preferences of where they are eating and ambience, if you want to enjoy its food at your office then it delivers for free in fort area. So go ahead call and do call for extra as it will be over in no time.
 My personal favorite is their kadi and masala puri to eat just like that...

PS: Its very reasonable 

good kheema paav

People still weep remembering the now closed down best kheema paav place in Mumbai the City Cafe, at Worli naka. Its been some years now when it was shut still there has not been a good place matching its standards but there are a few options where you get that soft and well cooked chooten (goat) ka kheema. One place is Olympia resturant at Colaba it serves only during breakfast hours. The only place to be open even during an attack or riots. reason being its next to the colaba police.
Other place is Good luck at mount mary, people can enjoy the kheema the entire day. Then Paramount at Mahim it also serves the entire day. There is one small hotel next to manish market which also gives good kheema.
What is to be looked in a good kheema is that it has to be soft well cooked and not many spices added to it. Ensure that you dont eat kheema everyday as it can ruin your system and most important dont forget to ask whether it is bade ka yaa choten ka...  

Jumjoji good for two

IT was an isolated lane years ago, i have won a cycling race on my BMX while zipping from this lane. But now with the starting up of hotel leelavati and MET the political educational institution the lane behind the ONGC staff quarters has a bee line of resto-pubs-cafes. Among them is one additions the ''Jumjoji''.

Its a small place looks to be like a garage space converted into a resturant. It serves Parsi food and the menu card reads as it will be served till Parsi last. The food is good for starters try the mutton kebab (its more of normal mince kebab without green chutney) and the chicken kebab is nothing but chicken seekh kebab. The servings are good for two. The menu has dishes dedicated to parsi peoples names like Pari Batliwalas chicken kebab etc.
For the drinkers there is only wine to be served white and red. The place does not have music very few tables and the place does not take reservation,. The service is slow the attendants kind of have a puzzled look but are hospitalbe people. The ambience is so so but the food on its very small menu is good and the portioons for two are good. If your not drinking then for two it will be below 1 k but with drinks and the number of taxes addded to drinks the bill can cross 2 k easily.

PS: If you want to have a quiet evening on weekdays then do visit on weekends there could be a waiting. 

chaa bar losses shine

CHAA bar is a quiet corner inside the Oxford book store at Churchgate, where many book readings also take place. The menu is one big heavy (in terms of weight) card. It also shows new additions but when you want to place an order the attendant says they are out of stock. This is what they told me when i curiously asked them about lasagna. I was pointed out that only three sandwiches were available and rest was not there. I had no option but to tell them you have to better your kitchen and service. The captain nodded and said yes will do that.
The bar was started few years later to starting the Oxford store, its a good place to sit and read or just simply have chai. The cutting glasses are held in monkey holders and it feels nice to sip it from it. The only putting off point is that the place does not have a wash room and its a strict no if you are going to only enjoy the chaa bar and not going there for books.
PS: Instead visit tea centre, or Magna at Kala Ghoda..

Indian resturant

IT has been a long while i went to the Indian Restaurant at Bori Mohalla in Bhendi Bazaar today while escorting a Oxford University professor who was interested in knowing and seeeing more about the old mumbai. I took him to the Indian and ordered a mutton sandwich for him. He quiet liked it and said this is good stuff.
The indian restaurant is where you get the awesome sandwiches and rolls. This is not the bread sandwich but its made of small naan (indian bread in a round shape) and cut in the middle and filled with a lot of chicken, mutton marinated in spices along with onion and lemon. The place is open up to late night and during ramzaan full night. along with the sandwich it also gives rolls be it egg,chicken and mutton. The prices are cheap and food is awesomely hygienic and tasty and you will not have any after eating problems like visiting the loo several times. Don't mind people who make the food in the open kitchen wearing lungis and vest and kids serving you the food plate.
How to reach Indian---Its in the Saifee Trust lane on Bhendi bazaar next to the famous Tawakal sweets. 

live ghazal and drinks at khar

Patrons of Golden Chariot outside the Domestic Aiport at Santacruz, who were used to live ghazals while sipping on their drinks can heave some relief. Page 3 previously Pindh Da Dhabba, outside the Khar railway station can be a place to visit. The seating area is not open but the ambience is good. The resto cum bar has two ghazal singers who entertain the audience with their on demand and on the list peshkash. The singers though lack the punch which lifts the mood during the drinking session as it used to be at the Golden Chariot.
People hear sit back and just relax with their drinks. The place Page 3 owned by one Tikku a fitness freak who has won several body building competetions and is soon to be seen in Sanjay Gupta's Shootout at Wadala.
The seating is comfortable and the food is awesome must try the prawns curry, it was nicely made and so was the Tandoori Kukkad. The restobar is divided in two parts one sidde serves liquor according to peg system where the live ghazal is the other side serves quarter system. The idea behind the place is to mostly serve as a place to watch cricket and football matches. As every section has big screen tv and it also offers group bookings with a seperate section for enjoying matches. The plus point of this place is the waiters dont hassle you and let you enjoy your drink and food.

For two persons the expenses with drinks (peg system) will be around 2k

If your a sandwich person and want to eat a good Masala toast then head straight to Sudhanand sandwich at Worli. Its in the lane next to the Old passport office. It is not a proper shop but just a small front table on which the guy sells his product. The masala toast has been his speciality for years. Not sure about the history of the place but am guessing that it would have been started to cater to the crowds who visited the Satyam Shivam Sunderam Theatre which has now been pulled down to give way to a corporate office.
The toast is best because the sabzi inside is good and the chatni is awesome and goes well with it. The original masala toast wala has now also moved into giving jain pizza and grilled sandwich but people like the toast and for me i always have two..One is not enouf. It used to be Rs 10 when i started eating it in 2000 but even after 12 years the prices have been the same and now its cost Rs 17. Not much by Mumbai standards.
PS: there is no seating arrangement as you would find with sandwich stall owners in Fort area, so do take your car or bike to keep the hot grilled bread on it.

chaat hunting in bandra

WHEN it comes to chaat eating in Bandra west people quickly respond with Elco Pani Puri, Karachi Sweets but if you look beyond these places there are a few local joints which are not popular among the visitors to bandra but a hit with the locals. Every corner of bandra has a nice chaatwala which allows residents of bandra not to crave about the two most famous joints but to overlook the praises showered on them.
If your on hill road then you can visit a small stall opp the jain temple off Hill road the place is run by a north indian with a huge pony from the centre of his head. In mumbai language its run by a bhaiyya. Earlier it was the only chaat shop in the area but now there is a competetior next to it but you will realise the quality diffrence even before eating as the crowd only visits this stall. How to reach---entre the lane adjoining the Vodafone store, go straight you reach jain temple, the stall is on the left.
At bazaar road, there is a chaat owner who runs his shop on a cart know as Gupta chaat wala. He houses his cart outside baba nagar. He has been putting up the stall since i was a child and that means it has been over 25 years now. The thing to try there is ragda pattice. How to reach---baba nagar is in the lane adjoining hotel Balaji on the hill road.
When your at Pali Hill in the evening there is an old chap who comes with his cart and parks it near the zig zag slope on pali hill. The man is old but he doles out a good chaat and the way you know it when you bite the puris..they are crisp and fresh.
So guys if you think of chaat the next time in Bandra to try the local ones. As Mumbai chaat is essentialy about more of kothambir and not layers and layers of sev... That goes well with Dhokla...  

paragliding in kamshet opens up local employment

OVER the years Kamshet has become a paragliding heaven and sport lovers from across the country come there to enjoy it. This steady flow of the small paragliding family has led to a local employment for the youths who did not want to plough their fields and were dis-interested in studies.

Paragliding as such is an eight month sport, excluding monsoons. There are three companies operating in the Kamshet who teach and give joy rides (Tandem Rides). The rides are from two mountains Shelar and Tower Hill. Around these mountains are small villages whose main occupation is rice farming. Youngsters instead of joining their family tradition are now opting for paragliding by becoming trainers and pilots.

Papu Shete (22) is a school dropout he has joined Indus Paragliding four years ago said I was not good at studies and always wanted to do something else. I used to see the people flying in the air and pilots giving joy rides to people. So I asked the owners of the company whether he would train me and fortunately he agreed and after completing the courses I am now a trained pilot and am permanently employed with the company.

The role of a pilot is not limited to giving joy rides he also is involved in teaching at the base camp. Pankaj another pilot cum trainer said We permanently stay at the base. The company for which we work takes care of us. What started as a curiosity for me has now become my profession.

There are more than 10 locals employed with the training schools and their salary ranges from Rs 7,000 to Rs 15,000 per month. Shete said Flying in the air teaches to be self-dependent and in control of the situation. It has helped me in life my income is usually spent on the family members who now lead a better life.

Not only have the pilots who are employed earn in Kamshet. School children from around the area also do by way of packing the glider’s in the bag for the descending para-gliders. The children get min Rs 20 for each glider they pack. On an average everyday there are at least 20 paragliders enjoying in the area.

Sanjay Penduskar, owner of Indus said Local youngsters have a lot of talent. The learners feel inspired after hearing their stories on how they learnt flying.

Shete who is keen on someday participating in para-gliding competitions held in Himachal Pradesh and abroad said As of now I don’t have the competition attitude/approach but I aspire to participate in the competition, soon.

visit the friends union joshi club

Many of us might be knowing about it as the place Friends Union Joshi Club has been in existence for several years and people who have visited Kalbadevi have surely eaten there once. FUJC is opp the lane leading to the Kalbadevi temple, housed on the first floor of a wada which nowdays is only used as a commercial premises.
Once inside the bhojnalay (eating hall) tables are already ready with thali plates, you sit and they start serving. The food comprises of simple three sabzi, papad, chaas (butter milk), chopped onions, kachumbar, pickle, unlimited rotis including my favorite bajra roti, then rice or khichdi and sweet and khari daal. At the end they also serve deserts which can be gulab jamun, rasgulla or any seasonal desert. I got aamras to eat ( its was hapus ras). The desert is charged extra.
FUJC is a nice clean and tidy place the food is light and well prepared and tasty. It is mostly aimed at the workers of the large business community in Kalbadevi who stay away from home for work and desire to eat homely food. Shoppers and first times like me who visit on recommendations are also seen post the lunch hour. The place is open from 11 am to 3 pm and 7 pm to 10 pm. FUJC is a place to visit if you want to eat good gujrathi thali with a good service team.