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Spices, Sizzlers, and a Dash of Nostalgia"

 



These days, my evenings have a set ritual: plopping on the couch, snuggled under a warm blanket, munching on perfectly spiced snacks, and immersing myself in a thriller on an OTT platform. While horror and gory, gut-wrenching dramas aren’t my cup of tea, thrillers keep me hooked. Most of these stories barely linger in my memory beyond a day or two, but some manage to etch themselves into my mind—and heart.

One recent movie took me on a nostalgic ride through the bustling heart of Mumbai—places like Worli, Parel, Byculla, Kalbadevi, and Fort. For someone whose alma mater was in Parel(परळ)
these streets are not just locations; they are chapters of my life. Watching them on screen felt like flipping through a photo album of my independent hostel days, where I first tasted freedom and learned life’s ropes.

Byculla’s streets still hold vivid memories of bus rides to the ENT hospital in Fort. Oh, the thrill of sitting in a double-decker bus, climbing the Byculla bridge, and catching a stunning view of the majestic Gloria Church! From that vantage point, it felt as though you could touch the church’s upper floor—it was that close. Back then, I didn’t know it was an English Gothic marvel from the 16th century. "Ghar ki murgi daal barabar," (घर की मुर्गी डाळ बराबर)
indeed! Today, we travel halfway across the world, spending fortunes to marvel at Gothic architecture, while I used to pass by one every day, barely batting an eyelid.

Another Gothic gem was the ENT hospital itself, surrounded by Fort’s architectural grandeur. No wonder I feel an odd sense of déjà vu whenever I’m in London—South Mumbai’s Gothic charm is hard to miss.

But Fort wasn’t just about history; it was my gateway to modern Mumbai. It’s where I graduated from humble daal-chawal( वरण भात) to exotic dishes like Prawns Thermidor and chicken in orange sauce. Oh, how confused my taste buds were! A girl raised on spicy masaledar rassa(मसालेदार रस्सा) was baffled by sweet, fruity gravies. It was culinary culture shock at its finest—and the beginning of my palate's training.

Speaking of food, my first encounter with a sizzler was unforgettable. A steaming hot iron plate emitting mouthwatering fumes—what a spectacle! Little did I know that this divine dish was invented in Mumbai itself, by Firoz Erani in 1963. Another feather in my city’s cap!

Then there’s the legendary Frankie—a Mumbai-born classic. In 1967, Amarjit Singh Tibb reinvented the Lebanese shawarma with Indian spices, chutneys, and a flaky flatbread. My love affair with Frankies is long-standing. At my favourite Frankie joint, the waiters even knew my preference—a fiery, tangy version—which they fondly named Kaan wali madam chi Frankie!( कान वाली मॅडम चि फ्रँकी) Thankfully, it never evolved into Kaamwali bai ki Frankie!(काम वाली मॅडम चि फ्रँकी)

Since we are on a foody tour of Mumbai how can one forget my beloved 'vada paav '? There's one such vada paav eating experience I distinctly remember. I was standing under a tree, happily munching on a vada paav when a pigeon dropped a “blessing” on my shoulder. The vendor joked, “शुभ संकेत आहे, अजुन एक वडा पाव ग्या( meaning It's a good sign, have one more vada pav."!)


Ah, Mumbai, my beloved city of flavours, memories, and stories! On that note, I’m off to finish my ice-cream soda, another gem from Mumbai’s culinary treasure chest. Truly, the way to my heart is through my stomach.

10/12/2024





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