MOUTHWATERING MUMBAI MEMORIES
Kheema Pav, Bun Maska and Chai at Churchgate
By
VIKRAM KARVE
From my Foodie Archives:
Mouthwatering Memories of Sunday Breakfast during my glorious days in Mumbai many years ago
Long back, when I used to live in Empress Court, opposite the Oval, near Churchgate in Mumbai, I would rise at early in the morning, as the Clock on the Mumbai University Rajabai Tower struck Six.
Then I would go for a long brisk walk all the way to the end of Marine Drive ahead of Chowpatty, and on my back home, I would turn off towards Churchgate and head for Stadium Restaurant for a refreshing and stimulating cup of tea to energize me and perk me up for the day ahead.
On Sundays and holidays, when we went for our super-long walks down Marine Drive, up Walkeshwar, Teen Batti, down Malabar Hill, Napean sea Road, a round of Priyadarshini Park, Kemps Corner, Hughes Road, Babulnath, and back, there were three places where we used to breakfast to satiate our ravenous appetites.
If my walking partner was a vegetarian we used to head to Vinay in Girgaum for a Misal or Usal Pav; and if she was non vegetarian, it was either Kyani at Dhobi Talao or Stadium at Churchgate for a Kheema Pav.
(Of course on those rare occasions when we were really hungry we walked all the way to Noor Mohamadi in Bhendi Bazar for Nalli Nihari).
Our favourite breakfast place at Churchgate, Stadium restaurant served wholesome tasty Kheema dishes throughout the day - an ideal “snack’ if you were feeling famished.
I liked their “pudding” and patties too; their Chicken Biryani was worth a try, and so were the “Chinese” dishes, and, if you are in a hurry, there was nothing to beat a quick spicy egg bhurji with fresh soft pav for fast satiation.
If you looked at the blackboard on the wall you could see the day’s special dishes and, let me tell you, these dishes were real good, whether it was fried fish, dal gosht, or, if it was your lucky day, chicken or mutton dhansak.
Stadium Restaurant was located next to Churchgate Railway Station. Maybe the restaurant got its name from the Brabourne Stadium across the road on the opposite side. Stadium was a clean, well-lighted place to pass time, waiting for someone, or browsing a book, or just doing nothing, staring out onto the busy street, while enjoying a cup of invigorating tea with a bun maska.
I liked Stadium Restaurant.
It was easy on your wallet, and served good wholesome food in relaxed clean ambiance.
I wonder if the delightful cafe still exists and whether the food is as good as it was then.
Happy Eating
VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2012
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
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About Vikram Karve
A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.
Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
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Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
Fiction Short Stories Book
Foodie Book: Appetite for a Stroll
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
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