A Ode to Coffee

Triple Shot Cappuccino With Cinnamon

In a perfect world, I'd start off each day with a perfect drink, one so good it is fit for the Gods. Well, my world ain't perfect, but each morning, before the madness starts, I get my stolen moment of paradise, where nothing matters but me and my coffee.

I am blessed to be in a company with an in house cafe, where they procure the top of the roast beans, installs a state of the art, oh so pretty in shining silver monster of a coffee machine, employs a skill of a ninja barrister, and the result is heavenly bliss in a fine porcelain cup.

I am hooked to this stuff. It is whoop-ass killer good, the raison d'être for my being,the key to my sanity, the only thing keeping me from walking about in a manic depressive state terrorizing every creature in my path.

The coffee is strong with minimal water added, so it's straight to the good stuff. The foam is light yet substantial in body; eaten with a spoon, it is the closest you will ever get to having warm ice cream. Perfectly balanced in aroma and taste, this divine cappuccino is so satisfying, in my books it is no mere beverage, but food for my soul.

From Left: Americano, Iced Latte, Cappuccino

Afternoons treats, more good stuff.

Macchiato with Tiramisu Donut

This is my new afternoon favorite, triple shot (yes, never less) Macchiato. Donut's optional, and you know I don't like fried foods, but this had tiramisu creme filling (read: more coffee) thus a perfect pairing. But on its own, the Macchiato is all I ask for.

Britannia & Co.

Britannia & Co

I am very glad for this trip, and can ask for no better way to cap off my Mumbai escapade then with my visit to Britannia & Co today. I love exploring exotic cuisines and their unique flavors, hence on my must-try list was Parsi food, something I reckon hard to get exactly right back home.

I picked out Britannia & Co from Lonely Planet's extensive list, as it read with the most history. Finding the place was a challenge, even with a cab, but with more help from passerby then my luck and command of the Indian language can summon, I got there.

I got there alright, an hour early, since they only serve lunch from 12:30pm. No matter, proprietor Ashfin kindly offered that I take a stroll around the port area in the meanwhile, and cautioned me not to wander too far, least I lose my way.

When I got back, Ashfin sat me down and introduced his father Boman to me. This very dearly old man asked, "Are you here to chat with me or to try the food?" Hungry and confused, I go "Erm, both, I guess, since the food's not ready." Twat I am.

He told me about Everything, starting with the history of the Zoroastrians (that he is), how they are the longest known religion known today; their struggles in Iran, how his forefathers came to India and finally settle down in Mumbai, set up a cafe to sell Parsi food, his way of preserving his heritage and offer fellow Persians a connection to their roots, and this is how Britannia & Co. eventually came to be.

A Family Spread
Prepared for a Guest, Fit for a King

When the kitchen was ready, Boman asked what I had decided on. I hadn't, since every item on the menu was new to me, and I couldn't order Everything.

"Ah, you are going back this evening? Then you will not have the time to visit again and try all our dishes. But neither must you order too much now, you cannot finish them and you will spoil your stomach. I tell you what, I will order for you, you will eat what I eat."

He muttered some orders to a waiter who nodded and disappeared into the kitchen. Boman continued "Everyday my brother and I will eat here, the same things, I have asked them to prepare the same for you, it is simple food, but you will get to taste a bit of everything, which is good."

The food came, and came. Boman had indeed instructed for a bit of everything to be presented on the plate, and his brother joined us at the table. I regret forgetting his brother's name, for his was as dear a man as Boman was. They introduced every dish laid out on the table, most interesting was the rice with cooked with barberries, a tart and slightly sweet fruit, very delightful. I also found the potato crisps they serve with everything a fun part to the meal. (My Sis would kill to have chips with every meal and every meal in-between meals.)

Random Deliciousness:
Chicken Farcha (Fried Chicken)
Dhansak (Meats in Lentil Gravy)
Jardaloo Sali Boti (Mutton in Onion & Tomato Gravy with Apricots & Potato Crisps)
Jinga Nu Pathio (Prawn Curry)
Saas Ni Machhi (Yellow Rice with Pomfret Fillets in White Gravy)
Sali Murghi (Spicy Chicken with Potato Crisps)
Tamota Ni Russ Chaval (Mutton Cutlets in Tomato Gravy)

The surprise of the meal was the simple stewed fish which is not on the menu; it was a staple of the brothers' lunches and they made sure I had a good bit of that too. The lovely brother insisted on had picking the tiny bones from the fish before giving them to me. I was so moved I didn't know what to say. Gosh!

The food is really amazing, every dish was spot on simple yet delicious, it warms both stomach and soul. Needless to say, my favorite was the fish, coz it was shared with love.

Boman Kohinoor, sons Romin & Ashfin, brother
A portrait of Boman & father, Rashid, hangs above

At the end of the day, it didn't feel like a meal at a restaurant. Instead I left feeling like I just had the most heart warming meal at my Grandfather's, with family. This is indeed, the best meal of my life and one I will always remember. :)

Britania & Co Irani Restaurant
Wakefield House, 11 Sprott Road
16 Ballard Estate (Pier)
Fort, Mumbai

Ring: 91 22 2261 5264
Read: http://www.iranichaimumbai.com

Eat: Mondays to Saturdays. Closed on Sundays.
11:30 am to 3:30pm. Lunch commences at 12:30pm.

Street Foods, Indian Chinese Cuisine

Falooda

Given Mumbai's notorious weather, drink stalls are up and about the streets like little oasis, offering cool and sweet respite from the heat.

Falooda is one of the most popular drinks amongst them. It is a sweet concoction of rose syrup, milk, tapioca seeds (the little frog eggs-like bittie bites), sometimes fruits, and vermicelli. Yes, they put noodles in everything here, especially in desserts, that's why I just love this crazy place! Do they just do things the other way around, or are we simply unawares of the full exploits of our everyday food? See why we all need to travel once in a while? :)

I do not take to sweet beverages well, but had to give it a go, the color was tempting and the weather begging. The first sip or so went down well, and brought comfort from the intense heat. Thereafter, I couldn't manage anymore, it was simply too shockingly sweet. But for those amongst you who have a sweet tooth, this is just the thing for you, my friend.

Mystery Snack

The best I can describe the above is a sweet and spicy version of the Behlpuri. It drives me absolutely ballistic when I forget a name of a good dish, I really should strap a notepad to my camera on my future food hunts.

Back to the "mystery" dish, Baby G tells me it's not local to the Mumbai plate, hence his joy upon seeing this at a cafe. Chickpeas make the main, accompanied by a jaw droppingly sweet red sauce and an alarmingly hot HOT green one. I love the extremes. Just wish I could tell you what it was.

Hot & Sour Soup

In India, strong, intense flavors is the way to go, which is why you hardly find subtle tasting cuisine such as Japanese food around. The same goes for Chinese food, but since the Chinese have been here longer they have figured out ways to tweaking their cooking styles to suit local tastes. The result is the ever popular Indian Chinese food.

I kid you not, this is AN ACTUAL CUISINE! Which explains the ever popular Manchurian Chicken/Fish and so on. Think Chop Suey in the US of A, you get my meaning. Native Chinese would never have heard of these dishes otherwise. But I digress.

Baby G ordered for the both of us. Yes, over here, he knows his Chinese. He's the expert. :P

Chow Mien

The experience is quite an experience in itself, if you get my meaning. The restaurant was resembled an Imperial palace preparing for Chinese New Year, with bright red pillars and even brighter Chinese lanterns hanging about. I couldn't help but find this hilarious, it was so stereotypical I felt like I was entering a Chinese Disneyland. I was tickled pink. No! Red! Oh great fun.

Everything here tastes stronger than they do back home. The S&S Soup was thicker and sweeter, the chow mien had a thick S&S sauce dressing it, and I liked what I was tasting! Really!

Chop Suey

As a Chinese, I would be ashamed if I didn't try the Chop Suey. I mean, what is Chop Suey? It is a mixed vegetable dish, with a thick sauce poured over it. Again, great fun. You are not a true Chinese until you have tried this. :P

I liked what I had. If you come here expecting Chinese Chinese you will be disappointed, if not offended. But if you are wiser, you would come here expecting a Different kind of Chinese food, something adapted to India and have come to its own. Like how food from a country can vary so widely between regions, Indian Chinese food is indeed unique and rightfully deserve its own distinction, and its own Wikipedia page.