mumbai monsoon – The Metrognome

The rains have arrived in Mumbai, and it’s time to have hot, piping chai. We give you 5 excellent options.

by Ravi Shet

Today, you probably woke up to sheets of rain and gloomy grey skies – the perfect setting for a hot cup of chai! There’s nothing more soothing to the palate than a lovingly made cup of tea flavoured with ginger and elaichi or just lightly brewed.

If you’re looking for a good chai place this season, let us help you out – in no particular order, we bring you a mix of five old and new places serving authentic Indian and international teas.

Cafe Colony Stores and Restaurant, Dadar East

Wooden furniture, glass jars filled with mawa cakes, khari and loaves of fresh brun pao…this Irani cafe is located near the corner of Hindu Colony and close to Tilak Bridge. Agha Nazariyan, owner of the place had bought this cafe in the 1960s; however the cafe has been in existence from 1933. Agha is very well supported by his children, the trio of brother and sisters – elder sister Bibi Sadhat, followed by Mirza and younger sister Bibi Fotehmeh. Mirza says, “We are open all days from 6 am to 10.30 pm to serve authentic and quality Irani food. My sisters man the counter and running the show makes me proud.”

Bibi Fotehmeh says that the milk comes from Parsi Diary Farm and Amul butter is used for bun maska. “Our food is not so expensive, which helps us cater to all sections of people,” she adds. Their Bun Maska (Rs 20) generously loaded with butter and dipped in Irani Tea (Rs 15) is an awesome combination. Also try their Kheema Pao (Rs 70).

Madina Hotel, Mahim West

Founded in 1975, this eatery with yellow benches and tables opens at 5.30 am and downs its shutters by 11:30 pm. It is located opposite Paradise Cinema. Their Appam (Rs 8) clubbed with well spiced and flavoured Vegetable Stew (Rs 25) is great, along with Special Tea (Rs 20) made from tea powder, sugar and milk without any added water. You will not leave the place without having two of their Special Teas. Krishnan, who has been running the eatery for the past 33 years, says, “Regular customers or new ones, everyone loves our Special Tea. Plus, I am serving good quality food at a reasonable price.”

Tapri Tea Lounge, Sion

This place situated at TV Chidambaram Marg is a short walk from Sion Railway station. Co-founded by Priyanka Bhutra-Milak and Mayur Milak in September 2013, this place has been serving different varieties of tea to its customers from 10 am to 11 pm on all days. Mayur says, “Despite being known as a tea nation, we hardly find dedicated tea cafes in the city. Hence we came up with this place to serve tea lovers a wide range of authentic tea.” He adds that all their preparations are made from mineral water and Tetra Pak milk to enhance quality. I loved their Kulhad Masala Chai (Rs 64), served in authentic kulhads, as also their Truck Driver’s Chai (Rs 64), a strong ginger-clove tea. Also try their Kashmiri Kahwa (Rs 85) are really worth trying, as also their air fried French fries (Rs 76). The place has a good collection of imported teas such as Ceylon Tea and Blooming Tea. In addition to this, they have a free Wi-Fi service along with Archie’s comics, Uno cards and other indoor games at each table which help you dawdle at your table while sipping your chai.

Tea & Tea, Juhu

This little place in Juhu near the ISKCON Temple is the brainchild of the husband-wife duo –Gaurang Vora and Viya Vora. Viya says, “We both were in the hospitality industry and saw that over the years, only dedicated coffee outlets were mushrooming. There were very few tea cafes, so we started Tea & Tea in May 2014.” The place is open on all days from 10.30 am to 10 pm. “People in this city should have access to Indian and international teas, and they must also know the benefits of consuming tea,” Viya adds.

Do try their hot selling items Mom’s Special Tea (Rs 70) which has home-made tea masala prepared by Gaurang’s mother, and Cleopatra’s Champagne – Cammomile (Rs 150), sourced from Egypt, which relaxes you with every sip. If you are health conscious, try their Detox Tea (Rs 110) which comprises green tea, ginger, lemon grass and burdock. If you prefer your tea cold, try their Passion Fruit Iced Tea (Rs 120). Parle-G biscuits are served with Indian teas while butter cookies are served with other teas. Play Uno or read books available here in between sips.

Tea Villa, Vile Parle East

Micky Panjwani and Roopanshi Bhatt, both event management professionals, founded this place in August 2014. It opens at 10 am every day and is a short walk from Vile Parle railway station. Micky says, “When we used to work, we never found good tea places where you could relax while you have your chai. So we started this place, where you could come with family and friends.” Roopanshi adds, “We started out serving Indian teas as well as premium ones such as Berry Blush Tea, Moon White Tea and side dishes; however customers demanded milkshakes, pastas, waffles and so on.” Their Mint Tea (Rs 120, in main picture above) and Kashmiri Saffron Kahwa (Rs 220) are really worth trying owing to their fresh ingredients. Also savour Bun Maska (Rs 70), Punjabi Samosa (Rs 75) and Peri Peri French Fries (Rs 120) if you’re hungry as well. They offer free Wi-Fi too.

(Pictures courtesy Ravi Shet)

The ultimate monsoon comfort food

What’s better than the monsoon in Mumbai, despite killing rains? Food that makes the season even more special, that’s what!

by Anurita Gupta

Mumbai without monsoons is a Mumbai without colour, without some of its spirit. But now that the rains are here, let’s celebrate!

While you must have completed your neon-colored-raincoat-and-gumboots-shopping routine from Linking road, there is a lot more to do while baarish sings at your window sill; for instance, figuring out some rainy season comfort food and drink. Here are a few of my favourites that make monsoons even more cozy and comforting.

Kadak adrak chai: While it is the unofficial drink of India, Mumbai’s cutting chai with a dash of ginger is best enjoyed during the rains. Not only does it enhance the taste of crisp mirchi and paneer pakodas, but ginger is good for us as well. Being a natural astringent, it aids in digestion and can actually cure the common stomach flu that tends to bother us in this season. Ginger is also known to sooth cold and cough and other allergies. So enjoy a cuppa while watching the rain soak the streets of the city. If you choose to make it on your own, then just add some thinly sliced ginger in regular chai before adding milk. Boil for two minutes and pour.

Kanda bhajji: There is no better snack that accompanies a kadak adrakwali chai in the monsoon than the Mumbaiyya kanda bhajji. These are onion and gram flour fritters. Enjoy it at a chai ki tapri near you or make them fresh at home.

Here’s how you do it: Make a thick paste of besan (gram flour) and water; add a spoon of cornflour, salt to taste, dry mango powder (aamchoor) and chilly powder, along with dhaniya powder and ginger garlic paste. Thinly slice onions. Dunk them in the batter and throw bit by bit in a heated kadhai of mustard oil. Deep fry until the bhajjis become golden brown, and enjoy with a nice sprinkling of chaat masala on top. Happy chomping!

Wonton soup: Pour yourself a bowl of soup while it’s pouring outside! All you have to do it to cook up some chicken or vegetable broth. You can make one yourself by throwing in actual chicken or some vegetables in a cooker. Give it a whistle or two, strain and serve. Or you can also pick up Maggi stock cubes to make the broth. Once done, open up a packet of frozen wontons, swirl in the hot broth for two minutes and serve with a spritz of lemon and a dash of ground black pepper.

Bhutta nimbu masala maar ke: At every nook and corner of Mumbai streets, you will find the delicious bhutta, i.e. corn on the cob. If it rains, it calls for a bhutta, that too with a genuine helping of lemon juice and chaat masala. The bhuttawala will happily give you the option of soft and hard, sweet and regular corn. Choose the one you like, watch it get grilled on coal and then relish it while taking a walk at Marine drive.

Garma garam jalebi samosa: If your sweet tooth takes a fancy to the rains, then the sweet dish that complements it the most is hot, crisp jalebi. These concentric circles made from flour and sugar and doused in chashni are heavenly when combined with crusty samosas. This combination is really one made in heaven. Enjoy it at a halwai shop near you or parcel it for a late monsoon night, when it tastes brilliant eaten cold with a glass of warm milk.

If you have firang taste buds, then chips and dips are a good choice with sizzling brownie and ice cream for those who love sweets. So go ahead, sing your favourite rain song as you sip hot chai and eat steaming hot bhajjis!

Anurita Gupta is a media professional who is passionate about two things – food and radio. Her love for all things food makes her a foodie with a cause.

(Pictures courtesy healthbeautyfitness.in, know.burrp.com, finelychoppedk.wordpress.com)