*Weekend Bites*
A. P.
Ramalingam
26
Baldota House, Bhandarkar Road. 2402 6021.
This
farsan store sells sweets like Mysore pak, boondi ladoo and wheat halwa, snacks
like chakli and chivda and also pickles, pulses, spices, jaggery, sambhar
powder, Madras rasam powder and molaga podi (a kind of dry chutney powder eaten
with idlis and other South Indian fare). They also sell their own brand of
ghee.
B. Shree
Sunders
Near the
exit of Matunga station, Bhandarkar Road. 2416 9216.
This
South Indian restaurant is best known for its curd-rice, pesarattu (a moong dal
dosa stuffed with chopped onions), nachini dosa and idlis. Their idlis are made
with hand-ground rice, which makes them fluffier than those served at most
other establishments, where they are made with rava. Shree Sunders also serves
a mean pav bhaji dosa.
C. Ram
Ashray
Near
Matunga station, Lakhamsi Nappu Road. 2414 2623.
A large
variety of dosas, uttapams and wadas. Their upma comes highly recommended and
they are happy to replenish your chutney and sambhar at no extra cost.
D. Rama
Nayak’s Udipi Sri Krishna Boarding
First
Floor, LBS Market Building, Lakhamsi Nappu Road. 2414 2422.
At this
Udipi, founded in 1942, a typical meal comprises rice, puris or chapatis,
curry, raita, pappad, buttermilk, rasam, dal, pickle and curd. You can choose
to eat your meal on a banana leaf or on a plate. A sign in the restaurant urges
you towards the former; “Try eating in leaf in Indian way, without spoon”, it
reads. The advantage: unlike the plate section, in the banana leaf section, you
get unlimited servings of each item.
E. Café
Gulshan
Balkrishna
Nivas, near Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research,
opposite Matunga Gymkhana, Lakhamsi Nappu Road. 2414 3449.
This
Irani café is the popular hangout of college students who attend one of three
colleges in the vicinity (Podar, Ruia and Welingkar). Their bestsellers include
mutton kheema (served plain or with eggs), Maggi masala, chicken roll, chicken
dum biryani and bun-omelette sandwich.
F. DP’s
Fast Food Centre
Near
Ruia College, Lakhamsi Nappu Road. 2414 5326.
This
student favourite serves street snacks and treats like pav bhaji, chaat,
grilled sandwiches, paranthas, ice cream sundaes, falooda, kulfi, milkshakes
and ice cream sodas.
G.
Mani’s Lunch Home
153/C
Mhaskar Building, behind DP’s Fast Food Centre, near Ruia College. 2412 7188.
This
landmark restaurant is loved for South Indian staples like idli, medu vada,
pongal, sheera, dal wada, rasam wada, kela baji, vegetable bonda, curd rice,
and bisi bele bhath—all served with unlimited coconut chutney and sambhar.
Unless you go for breakfast, it’s likely that they will be out of upma as it’s
their most popular dish.
Sri.
V.S. Mani Iyer was the fifth and last one among children’s of Sri. Late.
Venkateshwaran Iyer and Late Smt. Ananthu Ammal, as being the last son he was
also called as Sampoornam. Both Sri. Venkateshwaran Iyer and Smt. Ananthu Ammal
expired due to the epidemic attack of small pox in the early childhood of Sri.
V.S. Mani Iyer. While on their last breath though they much desired to at least
have vision of their children, the villagers refused as they feared the
epidemic deadly decease might spread to others. Then he requested to give a
slate and pencil to note down his last desire addressed to their only daughter,
Smt. Lakshmi Ammal. He expressed his bereave to leave, all their children alone
like orphan and requested Smt. Lakshmi Ammal, to take better care of her
brothers. Smt. Lakshmi Ammal along with her husband Sri. Ranganatha Iyer was
really worthy to the words and maintained the whole family with great care and
affection. But they have also their own difficulties. The main source of their
income was the meager amount received by Sri. Ranganatha Iyer the only bread
winner by way of cooking to household function and ceremonies. By appreciating
the situation on by one all the children left their homes in their early
childhood in search of livelihood. Sri. V.S. Mani Iyer like that of his other
brothers left his home town Palakkad in his early childhood. He moved from one
place to another and traveled almost all parts of India and served with various
dignitaries in their home kitchen. And finally came to Mumbai and settled with
his own venture in the field of catering by 1920’s. With his sound skills and
vast experience could easily give a very good introduction to Mumbaikars
exemplary exquisite South Indian delicious delicacies. He himself as a born
cook, cooked himself, served and delivered at houses & offices, in bicycle.
H.
Ayyappa’s
384
Dadhabawala Sadan, opposite Nalli Silks, Telang Road. 98923 43326.
This
roadside dosa, idli and wada stall does roaring business. You can expect to
find a crowd of suits, college students and aunties holding Nalli bags
clamouring for fresh plates of medu wada and chutney, the Ayyappan special dosa
and sabudana wada. They don’t stick to one spelling of their name but are
thankfully more consistent with their food.
I. Amba
Bhavan
Next to
Guruvayoorappan Temple, opposite Milap store, Bhandarkar Road.
Both
Amba Bhavan and Anand Bhavan (See N.) have fiercely loyal patrons. Members
belonging to the Amba Bhavan camp make daily trips for wada, sambhar, masala
dosa, dahi bhath, coconut sevai, wheat halwa, kela baji and rava dosa. No
onions are used in the food as it is a Jain establishment. Closed on Thursdays.
J. Café
Madras
38/II
Circle House, Bhaudaji Road, King’s Circle. 2401 4419.
It’s
where Matunga residents flock for breakfast. Fresh, fluffy idlis, even fluffier
set dosas served with white butter, and steaming filter coffee served in steel
bowls are part of the allure. Closed on Mondays.
K.
Nayaks Sweets and Snacks
Opposite
Café Madras, Bhaudaji Road, King’s Circle. 2401 2651.
This
sweet mart is owned by the proprietors of Café Mysore (see L.). They sell dry
fruit barfis, snacks like chaklis, baked chips and chivda, and MTR masalas.
L. Café
Mysore
Durlabh
Nivas, Bhaudaji Road, King’s Circle. 2402 1230.
Picks
include the tomato omelette, khotto idli (steamed in a jackfruit leaf shaped
like a cup) and the filter coffee.
M. Just
Chill 7
Shop No.
4, Ram Niwas Building, Bhaudaji Road, King’s Circle.
Sells
softies in flavours of vanilla, strawberry, chocolate and butterscotch, and
slushies in flavours of orange, kalakhatta and lemon. Best-known for the
Blossom, a kalakhatta or orange slushie float.
N. Anand
Bhavan
461/A
Ram Niwas, Maheshwari Udyan, Dr. Ambedkar Road, King’s Circle. 2401 5745.
This
lunch home serves excellent home-style upma, set dosa, Mysore onion rava dosa,
sambhar bhath, bisi bele bhath, pesarattu and coffee. Ask for the molaga podi
to add a kick to your meal.
O. Idli
House
462, Ram
Bhavan, opposite Jain Temple, Dr. Ambedkar Road, King’s Circle. 3246 0111.
The
idlis-only restaurant is owned by the proprietors of Rama Nayak’s Udipi Shri
Krishna Boarding. They serve about 13 varieties, including khotto, masala, mudho
(idli steamed in kedki leaves), pepper and Mysore rava idli, each of which
comes with a host of coconut chutneys flavoured with either chillies, garlic,
ginger or mustard seeds. They offer home delivery within Matunga.
P.
Nanumal Bhojraj
Shops
No. 3 and 4, Gani Mansion, behind Aurora Cinema, near Sahakari Bhandar. 2408
0704.
It’s the
one place with no idli, dosa and wada on the menu. They serve authentic Punjabi
and Sindhi fare like Sindhi curry, dal palak, rajma masala, dahi curry and besan
kofta. Their menu boasts a long list of whole wheat parathas. Home delivery
between Lower Parel and Bandra.
Q.
Classic Fast Food
466
Mehta Building, Nathalal Parekh Road, opposite Don Bosco Church. 2409 3204.
This is
Matunga’s equivalent of a Shiv Sagar. They serve a mix of idlis, dosas,
sandwiches, pav bhaji, Punjabi and Chinese fare.
R.
Koolar & Co.
541 Noor
Mahal, on the junction of Dr. Ambedkar Road and H. Adenwala Road. 2412 5062.
This
Irani café was set up in 1932. The proprietor, Ali, is given to using
profanities (when talking to the staff) and is known to talk nineteen to the
dozen with customers, both old and new. Gorge on their “Wrestler omelette”,
made using five eggs. Other must-haves are kheema pav, chicken omelette, burji
pav and Irani tea.
Joshi Bhojanalay is famous with the Gujarati Business
Community for its Vegetarian Food
Geoffrey's
Velocity
Britania & Co. Restaurant at Ballard Estate
Owners serve Persian
has been Licensed since 1949 the British Era and named so because of the word 'Brit' in their Name
Burrp Certified, Furniture imported from Poland which is of Pre World War 2
Fresh Lime Soda Rose Raspberry Ice Cream Soda Spicy Ginger served in Glass Bottles
Motto is 'their is no greater love than the love of eating'
there are many Veg Items for every Non Veg item like Chicken Berry Pulao 250/- made with Zereshk (Barberry imported from Iran)
Veg Berry Pulav 150/- has Barista means Bhuna Pyaz Veg Kebab
Sali Boti 230/- made with Potato & Boneless Chicken, Vegetarian Dhansak 150/- with Thick Multi Dal
Chilled Caramel Custard 60/- is good, Puff Cake is Irani specialty
Mumbai's Wasabi Restaurant is great place to go International Cuisine
Palladium's
Indigo Deli and Café
Moshe’s need to quicken up their Service Timings to beat the Smoke House Grill (1400/- Approx for a Meal for 2)
Vegetarian Creamy Fiery
Smoked Pimento & Jalapeno Crostini
Bland Chickpea and Horseradish
Fritters
Non Veg Appetizers like
Iced Chicken Liver Pate with Apple Marmalade (Rusk-sized pieces of crisp Baguette
smeared with a subtle Marmalade, the sweetness of which was nicely offset by
the robust intensity of the smooth, chilled Liver Pate)
Devilled Tenderloin Bites
(sophisticated version of a spicy Goan Beef Chilli Fry served over a savoury, Biscuit-like
pastry swirl)
Grilled Tuna Sandwich
& Baby Fennel, Smoked Chicken & Thyme Soup
Whole Wheat Sandwih has
Celery, Scallions & lots of Thousand Island Dressing
Smoked Chicken & Oregano
Burger (with Juicy, Herbed Minced Chicken Patty)
The Olive
Bar and Kitchen/Restaurant in
Mahalaxmi Racecourse by AD Singh
The ambiance includes an International Chef Mac, list of Wines from around the World, Horse Stable & much more!
Olive has been active since 1993
Famous for its Dishes like Lobster & of course its one of the most Frequented Celebrity Clientele,
J Thakkar Sweets & Snacks in Andheri is a must place for some authentic sweets
*Unique Places to Visit*
Ballard Estate, Villages of Mazgaon & Bandra
MTDC offers City Tours
Cricket Club of India
Raj Singh Dungarpur
Taj Mahal Hotel
a visit to any Film Set
Royal Western India Turf Club
Juhu Chowpatty
Sandip Soparrkar
Royal Classique
Not Just Jazz By the Bay
Gothic Victorian High Rise Buildings around the Beach
Balakrishna is a Bollywood Poster Artist in the City (he is one of the 2 or 3 Skilled people in India)
but given the challenges like Computerization & Vinyl Paintings, it is hard to Survive!
National Gallery of Modern Art for artists like M.F.Hussain Padamsee
Atul & Anju Dodiya Artists
One of the interesting Film related areas is Marital Arts & now more than 500 specialized Stunt Man & Action Directors equipped with a lot of Art Forms are in the Film Industry like Rafiq, Veeru Devgan, Abbas Ali Moghul, Ram Shetty
One of the Ancient Indian Martial Art forms is Malkhamb where Trainees learn the Art & practice on Rope, Wood Pole etc.
Dadar Shivaji Park Sachin Tendulkar used to practice here
Chor Bazaar, Mutton
Street
Shop called Bollywood Bazaar for Memorabilia & Awards
Philips opposite Regal
Cinema
Feel free to share your views as on how this Trip turned out & do let us know of any Quality Bakeries/Cafe/Restaurants in your area :)
