More than 40 years ago – in the 1970’s – during my early Navy Days – two of our nearest (and favourite) foodie places were Café Samovar in the Jehangir Art Gallery and
Luckily – both the ships I was appointed on in my bachelor days were based at Mumbai – where the Navy had a rather laissez-faire culture as compared to other Naval Stations.
The moment you stepped out of Naval Dockyard – you were in the best neighbourhood in the heart of the city.
So – when our ships were in harbour – we would step of the dockyard – walk down Rampart Row – have a bite at Café Samovar or The Wayside Inn – maybe – we would listen to some music records in those quaint music booths in Rhythm House – and then – maybe – we would head out to paint the town red.
(Someone told me that all these three iconic institutions – Café Samovar, The Wayside Inn and Rhythm House – have since closed down)
I still remember my Bachelor Navy Days of the 1970’s in Mumbai – the best time of my life.
Some moments ago – I was reading one of my stories set in Café Samovar – A Lazy Hot Afternoon in Mumbai – and this evoked nostalgic Mumbai Foodie memories.
So – Dear Reader – here is a “memoir” on Café Samovar
Café Samovar
Relaxed Eating in Arty Ambience
Luckily – both the ships I was appointed on in my bachelor days were based at Mumbai – where the Navy had a rather laissez-faire culture as compared to other Naval Stations.
The moment you stepped out of Naval Dockyard – you were in the best neighbourhood in the heart of the city.
So – when our ships were in harbour – we would step of the dockyard – walk down Rampart Row – have a bite at Café Samovar or The Wayside Inn – maybe – we would listen to some music records in those quaint music booths in Rhythm House – and then – maybe – we would head out to paint the town red.
(Someone told me that all these three iconic institutions – Café Samovar, The Wayside Inn and Rhythm House – have since closed down)
I still remember my Bachelor Navy Days of the 1970’s in Mumbai – the best time of my life.
Some moments ago – I was reading one of my stories set in Café Samovar – A Lazy Hot Afternoon in Mumbai – and this evoked nostalgic Mumbai Foodie memories.
So – Dear Reader – here is a “memoir” on Café Samovar
Café Samovar
Relaxed Eating in Arty Ambience
Mouthwatering Mumbai Memories
By
VIKRAM KARVE
When I was a small boy I traveled all over India by train – and I remember the fabulous Dining and Restaurant Cars on famous trains like The Calcutta Mail via Nagpur, The Frontier Mail, The Grand Trunk Express – and my all time favourite – The Deccan Queen – where one could sit comfortably and enjoy leisurely meals comprising the choicest “Railway Cuisine” – whilst viewing the picturesque countryside scenery passing by through the large open windows.
Each train had its own special à la carte dishes apart from the ubiquitous “thalis”.
One cannot enjoy this luxury anymore – as the railways have replaced Dining Cars with Pantry Cars and now-a-days they serve lackluster insipid “standard” meals packed in foil, paper and plastic containers.
On a hot sweaty summer afternoon – as I walk with my friend near Kalaghoda in Mumbai – I feel nostalgic – and my mouth waters – as I recall the good old railway dining car lunches – and I am in a mood for a relaxed lunch in arty ambiance.
So – I convince my friend – and we head for Café Samovar at the Jehangir Art Gallery
Café Samovar is situated next to the art gallery in a long rectangular veranda and resembles a Railway Restaurant Car of yesteryear.
We relax on the cane chairs and enjoy the view of the adjoining Museum lawns.
There is a menu card – but the specialties of the day are scribbled on blackboards on both ends of the no-frills eatery.
We order the specialties of the day – a Mutton Chilly Fry Lunch and Hyderabadi Kheema with Lachi Paratha.
The tender boneless Mutton Chilly Fry well cooked in a thick dark brown sauce has a nice spicy peppery taste and blends well with the Garlic Bread and fresh salad.
The fiery orange-red chilli-sour Hyderabadi Kheema (spiced fried mince meat) is lip-smackingly zesty – the Paratha is super-soft and fluffy – and the combination is delicious.
Next – we have the wholesome stuffed parathas (a Vegetarian Gobi (Cauliflower) Paratha and a Non-Veg Kheema Paratha) accompanied by their appetizing chutneys followed by Kheema and Kebab Rolls.
To cool off – we end with the huge soothing Dahi Wadas.
I am tempted to order a biryani or a prawn pulao, but we’re nicely satiated and overeating will spoil everything – maybe we will try the rice dishes next time.
Café Samovar has a unique charm and friendly ambience you won’t find anywhere else.
It serves excellent value-for-money food and is an ideal place for a cozy tête-à-tête with a friend over a leisurely lunch on a lazy hot afternoon in Mumbai.
(Dear Reader – I wrote this more than 12 years ago (in the year 2006) when I last visited Café Samovar. I understand that Café Samovar shut down 3 years ago in the year 2015...)
VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve
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© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
Disclaimer:
This story is a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
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Link
to my source post in my Blog Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram
Karve: http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2012/05/eating-out-in-mumbai-samovar.html
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