Just Walking Around

Khau Galli …Foodie’s Street

Ever wonder what defines the characteristics of a place. It’s the cultural environment, the people who stay in that area and the food it serves at the many restaurants that line it’s by lanes.

Just walk down the famous Tilak Bridge , that monolith road over bridge over the busiest central railway station and junction , the hub of Maharashtrian culture that is “Dadar”. Use the stone steps giving a feel of the British era and leading to a small lane to Chabildas High School. Right across you will find the most famous land mark on any foodies list “Shri Krishna’s Batata Wada” – well known for their traditional bata wada. The filling of mashed potatoes , tempered with the right amount of salt , haldi , curry leaves and rai. These round balls of mashed potato are rolled in besan batter and deep fried to make them crispy and mouth watering. Served with the traditional dry garlic chutney it is wolfed down by their loyal customers and wada enthusiast coming from far and wide. The eatery is strategically located in the lane leading to the  busy Dadar Railway Station , at any given time you will find a crowd of 15-20 milling around to have a quick bite and rush to or from the station. Over the years they have added more items to their menu and these are served with the same zeal.

Try their crunchy and crispy Dal wada with green chutney or the Moong dal bhajji (pakoda) served in nugget sized portions . Another specialty item is the Kothimbir wadi served with white coconut chutney . Huge rectangular wadi’s fried to perfection and best eaten hot. To cater to the non-Maharashtrian crowd they have introduced the Punjabi samosa or the Vegetable Samosa with filling of cabbage , carrots and poha  , a little on the sweeter side . On fasting days like Tuesdays and Thursdays they serve the sweet kachori or the sabudana wada which lapped up by the customers .To down the oily stuff you can ask for cool Kokum sherber or try the sweet lassi.

But if you are a true blue Lassi fan you can not miss Jai Shri Krishna Dairy Farm . A legendary  Lassi Centre right opposite the new and flashy Nakshatra Mall . Its literally a a hole the wall kind of establishment famous for its gadhi (thick ) and lip smacking lassi. Inside the shop you will find wooden benches lined against the two walls in long row and customers sitting and enjoying the Half glass or Full glass of Lassi topped up with soft Malai which keeps floating on the lassi. You hear the staff shouting over the customers din ordering to the Lassi Maker  - Char full Do half “Malai Marke”.  They give a spoon to eat the malai and the thick lassi , no straws here , anyways even the thick shake straws would be in effective due the richness of this Sweet Lassi. Have a glass full and you are done for the day.

Moving back to the Chabildas Lane there is the early morning breakfast vendor serving fresh fluffy idli's or crispy medu wada with white coconut chutney to the office goers rushing to catch their train at the busy as a busy Dadar Station. Just next to him is a MNS sponsored food cart serving snacks like toast sandwiches, tawa fried Desi pizza's , Chinese Bhel a fiery  concoction of Gobi Manchurian balls topped up with schezwan sauces, finely chopped carrots and gobi (cabbage) .You will find the college kids either rushing  to colleges or tuition classes surrounding this cart and filling up before the start of a long day .

Then there is that small Vada Pav shop just opposite the  Family Store (the oldest Marathi Kirana Store) which serve the best and fiery Vada Pav’s in whole of Mumbai. Fried golden browns and crispy served with fried and salted green chilly .This small food joint doubles up as the meeting point for all the MR’s (Medical Reps) and the Sales guys of Telecom Marketing Agencies to start the day with a hot vada pav and a kadak methi cutting chai. The chai spiked with masala to give the drinker the kick required in the morning to start his day. Looking at the menu hung on the wall you will find ten different varieties of chai in this small but charming shop. Adrak walli , Elaichi wali , Gulabi  and Kadak Meethi  to name a few. Though very few takers but he also serves hot coffee for those caffeine addicts.

Drink to your hearts content ,drive away those morning blues and start on new day .

Cheers to the spirit of Mumbai.

Would like to borrow the famous jingle of Nescafe which is like the morning anthem of every Mumbaikar ---

One two three four
Pap para paa paa raa raa
Pap para paa paa raa raa

Hey naya is dil mein ik tarana
Mujha ko badalo se unche unche hai jaana
Ho shuru har din aise
Ho shuru har pal aise
Nescafe nescafe

Sunke awaaz dil ki
Mujhe raaste naye bana na
Bula rahi hai subaah mujhe
Mujhe suraj naya hai ugana
Ho shuru har din aise
Ho shuru har pal aise
Ho shuru har din aise
Pap para paa paa raa raa

Nescafe…..