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.