Go out of your way
I’m convinced the world is divided into four kinds of people: those who love food, those who are indifferent to it and very few who hate it.
There is the fourth category…those who love to read about it. This blog is for all four types…coz it will get the haters converted, indifferent lot excited and most of all I look forward to feedback from all of you.
There is the fourth category…those who love to read about it. This blog is for all four types…coz it will get the haters converted, indifferent lot excited and most of all I look forward to feedback from all of you.
The only fitting way to begin my blog? With a review of a truly unique first-of-it’s-kind small, unpretentious, moderately priced eatery which warms the heart.My column in The Bombay Times, Friday 25th May.
GO OUT OF YOUR WAY
What youre holding in your hands is my “garmagaram” freshly focused “Whats hot” column. Its with renewed excitement and joy that I serve up weekly restaurant reviews (now on every Friday…please note) in which I look at whats hot and whats not.
The only fitting way to inaugurate this series? With a review of a truly unique eatery. The first-of-it’s-kind small, unpretentious, moderately priced, “By the Way” warms the heart. Not only is the food cooked by underprivileged girls of Seva sadan, (in a spankingly clean kitchen) but it is homestyle food (Parsi too). Eat here and directly empower and help underprivileged and destitute women of the century old Seva Sadan NGO.
DÉCOR:
Strains of Kenny Gs music fill the pleasant and calming unpretentious space with its wooden beamed high ceiling. A tiny plaque informs that the air conditioners have been donated by “Prerna charitable trust”. A counter with a few puffs and pastries, wooden tables and chairs complete the décor of this Gamdevi eatery.
Strains of Kenny Gs music fill the pleasant and calming unpretentious space with its wooden beamed high ceiling. A tiny plaque informs that the air conditioners have been donated by “Prerna charitable trust”. A counter with a few puffs and pastries, wooden tables and chairs complete the décor of this Gamdevi eatery.
SERVICE:
Please Take a look at the photograph…the 18 year old well-trained and spruced server, Janki was only a few years ago begging on VT station. Along with many others not only was she given a home, but also trained to cook and serve. Helpful service but it can get slow…(I’m told the food is cooked from scratch.)
Please Take a look at the photograph…the 18 year old well-trained and spruced server, Janki was only a few years ago begging on VT station. Along with many others not only was she given a home, but also trained to cook and serve. Helpful service but it can get slow…(I’m told the food is cooked from scratch.)
FOOD:
I love Parsi food and rue the fact that Mumbai has only two and a half Parsi food eateries and wait for Tanaz Godiwala’s catering at Lagan nu bhonus. At “By the way” though there is Indian (bhuna gosht-palak paneer et al) Continental (pasta, pizza, sandwiches) chaat (okayish sev puri) theres a complete Parsi menu… from Bharuchi Akuri to Lagan nu custard. I ate here twice. Tehmtan Dumasia supervises the girls ensuring that the authentic ingredients are used to the correct proportions.
I love Parsi food and rue the fact that Mumbai has only two and a half Parsi food eateries and wait for Tanaz Godiwala’s catering at Lagan nu bhonus. At “By the way” though there is Indian (bhuna gosht-palak paneer et al) Continental (pasta, pizza, sandwiches) chaat (okayish sev puri) theres a complete Parsi menu… from Bharuchi Akuri to Lagan nu custard. I ate here twice. Tehmtan Dumasia supervises the girls ensuring that the authentic ingredients are used to the correct proportions.
Go for the velvety sweet-spicy saasni machi ( rare to find on a restaurant menu) made with just the right “sarko” . Delightfully delicate steamed Patra ni machi in a yummy blanket of chutney. While the mutton dhansak made with the right proportion of toor dal, vegetables and Motilal masala is good, it is low on salt (both times.) The plump kababs make up for it. Okayish Bhendi pur eedu and dhun dal with lackluster prawn patio. If you like old fashioned continental fare, you’ll love the cheesy lasagna, the wobbly, sweet, firm yet yielding caramel custard. Even the lagan nu custard is creamy and tasty.
MINUS POINTS:
Avoid the puffs (kutcha pastry), the lousy espresso coffee, the medicinal palak paneer. Slushy in masala Bhuna gosht, overcooked and
tough Roast chicken, watery carrot soup here. Skip all that and focus on the decent Parsi menu. Snacks are over-fried and uninspired. Pastries need finetuning.(Good apple-pie). No alcohol.
Avoid the puffs (kutcha pastry), the lousy espresso coffee, the medicinal palak paneer. Slushy in masala Bhuna gosht, overcooked and
tough Roast chicken, watery carrot soup here. Skip all that and focus on the decent Parsi menu. Snacks are over-fried and uninspired. Pastries need finetuning.(Good apple-pie). No alcohol.
MY POINT:
Hygienic veg and non-veg kitchens. Go to this unique eatery for homestyle Parsi food. Reasonably priced (Rs 700 for two) and served in a comfy, non-fussy, ambience makes it an ideal quiet open through the day ( 11am to 11pm) meeting place.
There’s parking in the compound too. All thanks to the ladies of the managing committee and the women of
Seva Sadan who work here. Eat here…support a great cause, enjoy the cuisine with a cause.
Hygienic veg and non-veg kitchens. Go to this unique eatery for homestyle Parsi food. Reasonably priced (Rs 700 for two) and served in a comfy, non-fussy, ambience makes it an ideal quiet open through the day ( 11am to 11pm) meeting place.
There’s parking in the compound too. All thanks to the ladies of the managing committee and the women of
Seva Sadan who work here. Eat here…support a great cause, enjoy the cuisine with a cause.
Please do go out of your way to get to “By the way”.
Timing: 11 am to 11pm
No alcohol
Meal for two: Rs 700
Parking in the compound
Address:
Parking in the compound
Address:
By the way.Seva Sadan Society.Pandita Ramabai Road, near Gamdevi police station.
Tel: 02223808005
Tel: 02223808005
RATING:
FOOD 3
SERVICE 3
DÉCOR 3MUST TRY: Caramel custard, Saasni machi, Patrani machi.
READERS RECOMMEND:
• For cookies, cakes to mousses, Contact: Flourish- Parinaaz Jumani : 9820944795
• For tiffins (all cuisines Indian, Marwadi, Maharashtrian, Gujarati, Rajasthani, Thai, Italian, Chinese regular and low cal) desserts (sugar free), low cal sandwiches, Haresh’s HAS IT All Foods Ph: 02223517086 / 9870408072 / 9870008081
• Cooking classes: Learn to bake a variety of delicious eggless cakes on May 26, 2p.m. to 6 p.m. Delite Almeida 9820089553
• For cookies, muffins, brownies, Biscuits,, Brownie/Muffin/Cookie hampers, call Cioccolata : Sheetal Ratwani
Ph: 9820599220 / 02226404499• Home made Gujrati cuisine,(dhoklas.khichoo.),khaoswey, nachos, coconut chocolates, cocktail salads and lots more..
Call Anjani Bhansali. Ph: -2223692272 / 8898000104
Call Anjani Bhansali. Ph: -2223692272 / 8898000104
READERS QUERIES:
Please do mail rashmiudaysingh2012@gmail.com, or sms 9820333663 your messages and we will get back to you
and feature your favorites here.
and feature your favorites here.
Devi Kakkar is looking for brownie with ganache in Kandivali.
Mary Fernandes want anon veg tiffin for an office in Borivili.
Mary Fernandes want anon veg tiffin for an office in Borivili.
Thank You