The Nawab - Toasted like never before….

When was the last time you went to Bhendi Bazaar in Mumbai’s crowded southern end, at 7am just for a juicy piece of toasted bread? Don’t worry that’s the same shock that came to my head until my friend coaxed me to bite away the nights sleepy grip on me to go on an adventurous trail in the most unsuspecting locations of Mumbai!

Tucked away in the by lanes of a busy market hub, Nawab Restaurant has seen many a generation pass through its doors bringing in their grandchildren to taste the famous toast which, though simple in recipe, has won the hearts of many a passerby. Housed in an antiquated building that flirted with the British Rule, this family styled quaint café has the ambience of welcome and a will to make you a part of its heritage and not just another customer. If you are curious, go ahead and strike up a conversation with the cheerful and wise owner who is delighted to engage in the life of the yester years.

So what is this famed toast you say? Well its simply freshly baked soft bread fried on a hot plate doused in butter. Now though you may assume the recipe to be the ordinary, its simplicity and cost of INR 10/- only is what draws many a wanderer to its den.  A plate or two of this toast coupled with hot tea perfect start to a winters day immersed in shopping for clothes, antiques and hardware items. Don’t forget to catch the action outside the café where early morning salesmen will flaunt their apparels to a bustling crowd of takers that will redefine your concept of morning calm!

Just walking distance from the Sandhurst Road Railway Station, this café is in close proximity to the shoppers paradise of Null Bazaar, Chor Bazaar and even Crawford Market being a stone’s throw away. Interestingly, Bhendi Bazaar got its name from the locals phonetic  understanding of “Behind the Market” that the British would call it due to its location behind Crawford Martket.

Iranian Brew on the Mumbai streets

Nestled along the inner roads of the former Mahim Island, is the newly opened quaint café “Irani Chaii”. Aimed to revive the typical but dying Iranian Chai culture in Mumbai, Mansoor Yezdi, started this café that welcomes people of all walks of life looking for that time out atmosphere in a routine driven city.

Born in Iran himself, Mansoor today, warmly welcomes every individual amicably as his way of giving back to every Indian who once opened their doors to the waves of Iranians coming to make it big in this Metropolis in the 18^th and 19^th Century. Have a cup of tea with him and you will soon be swept into a timeless movie studded with historical scenes and modern entertainment; Mansoor candidly states that “All Iranians are diabetic from childhood as chai and sugar flow through their veins”.

With his logo sporting the traditional friendship between India and Iran which few diplomats could meet, Mansoor will never let you feel alone as he has many a story to tell that range from his grandfather selling tea at Apollo Bunder in his thick Irani accent or the Goans who graciously helped them master the art of baking.

Proud of his quality and standards, food enthusiasts are even given a guided tour of his kitchen and interestingly, this café has more to bargain for. He takes the term Social Responsibility to the next level, where he not just gives a good 10% discount to men in uniform but also to those who arrive on a cycle as his way to giving back to Mother Nature. Same reason to why he does not sell water at his café. He is also proud that all wood used in his café is recycled teak wood sourced from deserted buildings.

And if culture and history are your game, then come down grab a hot cup of tea, sit on old Polish furniture and catch him mouth a few phrases in Farsi as he watches you through the myriad of mirrors that once functioned as CCTVs. Even the table cloth used here is chequered, hand woven and specially flown in from Iran.

In reality this café is the epitome of the Sanskrit Concept “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” meaning  “the whole world is one family” beckoning you to return.