Delhi's Zaika in Mumbai



Mumbai spoils you for choices, be it shopping, clubbing or chowpattys but when it comes to food, it leaves you with limited options. I have a very selected list of my favourite restaurants in Bombay and the newest entry to it is the ‘Delhi Zaika’ restaurant in Bandra which is just a few steps away from the Bandra Station.

courtesy: delhizaika.net
This cozy restaurant offers a lot of variety from its starters to main course dishes. You can choose from tikkas, rolls or kebabs for starters or hog directly onto chicken/mutton dishes.
I started my meal with Chicken Malai Tikka and Al-Baik Chicken. The Chicken Malai Tikka was roasted well and was floating in cream and butter. They are pretty generous with the butter and that added to its taste. For all those who do not enjoy spicy food much, this is the right dish for you!
Next up was the Al-Baik Chicken. This was the star dish and I would totally recommend this to all of you. The soft and juicy chicken covered in crispy breadcrumbs was just amazing! KFC lovers, don’t hate me but their chicken would beat the KFC chicken nuggets! (Yes, I said it!) The mayonnaise dip served on the side compliments the Al-Baik chicken perfectly.



For the main course, I had Tandoori Naan, Chilly Chicken and Chilly Chicken Biryani. The tandoori naan was soft and fluffy unlike the usual naans with hard and crunchy base. It was so delicious that I could eat it without having to dip it in a curry. I must say it was the best tandoori naan I’ve ever had. The Chicken Chilly was exactly as I like it, Spicy! The chicken pieces were very soft and the gravy had the right amount of chilli and spice. I liked this dish also because it was very similar to how my dad makes it back at home. The chicken chilly biryani had the right mix of spice and sweet. The biryani worked great as a break from the chilly chicken. Fun fact: the restaurant has 7 types of Biryani for every day of the week!





To end my meal I had the perfect dessert: Rabdi. Served in a cute little Kulhad, the Rabdi was the best way to wrap up my lunch.

The restaurant is a nice place to have dinner or lunch with your friends and family. It is a treat for all the chicken lovers, but vegetarians, you have a very little choice. 
The food did remind of Delhi’s Zaika and I am definitely going there again and you should try it once too!
Must haves: Al Baik Chicken, Tandoori Naan
Where: Shop 4, Hasan Building, Station Road, Opposite Bandra Bus Depot, Bandra Talao, Bandra West
Nearest Station: Bandra
Cost: Rs. 850 for 2
MumbaiMusings

A visit to Bhau Daji Lad Museum


Remember the scene in the movie Wazir where Yazaad Quereshi gives the speech at a hall in Srinagar just before shoutout begins? Well, it is not a hall in Srinagar but our very own Bhau Daji Lad Museum in Byculla. The museum is the oldest museum of Mumbai and served as the treasure house of the decorative and industrial arts in 1855. 
I went there recently and The museum showcases miniature clay models, miniature monuments like Taj Mahal, Meenakshi Temple and rare books that document the life of the people of Mumbai.  The golden chandelier on the ceiling, mint coloured walls, patterned wooden staircase, it is the most beautiful museum I've ever been to. So let's take a look around this and reminisce the history and heritage of ours.
Where: Veer Mata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan (Rani Baug),91/A, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road, Byculla, East Mumbai 400027 India
bhau daji lad

Drapes and Glitter


Trying to know the city better I took a stroll in the lanes of South Mumbai and found myself in the midst of one of the most famous local markets of Mumbai. Making my way through the cramped streets of Crawford market, a signboard with Mangaldas market written in English, Hindi and Gujarati welcomed me. From outside, the place seems like just an alley of clothing shops but on the inside, it is a maze, draped in colours and glitter. One lane lead to three others and those three will take you deeper into the market to more alleys. The lanes are small and narrow but explode with colours and textures ranging from silk to chiffon, from print to embroidery, from plain to bling, name it and you’ve got it. The profusion of skirts sarees, and dupattas, made me want to own them all.

courtesy: www.flicker.com
he market, a hub for fabric lovers is always bustling with crowds leaving no space to spare. Be it a wedding season or not, it is always festive here. The shopkeepers here, though busy, are very polite and receive everyone enthusiastically, no matter if someone bought just a dupatta or a dozen sarees. 
The crowded lanes filled with shimmering fabric and hues of colour reminded me of Chandni Chowk in Delhi. Though the market in Chandni Chowk is bigger but the atmosphere of the both the markets is the same.

courtesy: www.tripgator.com

courtesy: www.enkivillage.com

courtesy: www.sancia.com
After exploring the lanes of Mangaldas market, I went to Zaveri Bazar on the street opposite to Mangaldas market. A jewellery market, Zaveri Bazar is the place to gold, silver and imitation jewellery. The market has both branded jewellers such as TBZ and the local ones. I got a pretty good deal for silver rings at one of the local shops and it made me beam like a kid.

courtesy: www.indianexress.com

courtesy: www.rediff.com

courtesy:www.sepiaeye.com
Though there is no dearth of branded stores and shopping complexes in Mumbai, markets like Mangaldas market and Zaveri Bazar are the charm of the city. If you want to see another side of the bustling maximum city, do visit these markets once.
mumbai

5 Pocket Friendly Food Corners in Mumbai



It is difficult to adjust to a new city, by the new city I mean the Food. When I came to Mumbai eight months back, all I did was crib about the food here. Well, being Delhiite spoils you for food; you have to agree Delhi serves the best chaat or jalebi or chole bhature or butter chicken...okay let's stop before I start drooling again!! But Mumbai has its own flavour that has made my taste buds cheer. From cheese -loaded sandwiches and crispy sev puri dipped in dahi to the crunchy masala papad, you get them only here. So, here I am with the best of places to eat in south Mumbai that is heavy on taste and light on the pocket. 

1. The J: It is one of the most famous food joints among the college students in South Mumbai. Located in front of K.C. College, the place is always swarming with people. Best known for its pizza fries, it also serves mouth-watering rolls, burgers and shakes. My favorite from the menu is the Shredded Chicken Roll, Pizza Fries and Parle-G shake.
Where: 3, Dinshaw Vacha Rd, Churchgate, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400032
Price: 100-150
Courtesy: Zomato

Courtesy: Zomato
Courtesy: mouthshut.com






2. Om Sandwich: A small stall on the corner of Wellington Street, Om Sandwich serves the best sandwiches in south Mumbai and you can tell that by the crowd waiting in line for their cheesy sandwiches. Jumbo Cheese Sandwich, Jumbo Masala Sandwich, Mayonnaise Cheese Sandwich, Paneer Grilled Sandwich, name it and you got it. But Chocolate Toast is what beats them all; hot Nutella inside toasted bread and crushed chocolate on the top- you just cannot resist it!
Where:Wellington Street, Dhobi Talao, Marine Lines, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400002
Price: 40-100

                                              
                                              


                                               
3. Pancham Puriwala: If you’ve ever lived in South Bombay or have been there for a while, you definitely must have been here. This little shop near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus serves amazing Puris. You can pick your favourite among Aloo Puri, Chole Puri, Kadhi Chawal or Masala Puri. The one I find the best is the Thali: Aloo, Puri, Kadhi, Chawal, Mixed Vegetable and a Papad- all in one and everything equally tasty. Have the Masala Chaas to end your meal on a spicy note.
Where: 8/ (Bazar Gate Str), 2-10, Perin Nariman St, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001
Price: 60-150
Courtesy: Zomato
Courtesy: Zomato
Courtesy: Zomato
4. Say Cheese: Looking for a good pasta place, I ended up at Say Cheese; Thank God for that! Well say cheese and that’s what you will get..be it in the Cheese Garlic Bread or the Pink Pasta. Though there is no space to sit, but the food will surely make the place in your heart as it did for me. Don’t miss out on the Melting Sandwich. 
Where: Shop No. 10, Opera House Building, Raja Ram Mohan Roy Marg, Near Centro Plaza Theatre, Girgaon, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400004
Price: 150-230
Courtesy: Zomato
Courtesy: Zomato

Courtesy: Zomato
5. Crystal Restaurant: Whenever you are missing ‘Ghar ka Khana’ head to the Crystal restaurant because that’s what I do whenever I feel home sick. The hot chapatis with Ghee floating on it remind me of home. The Rajma Chawal and Paneer Bhurji is amazing and you must treat yourself with the Kheer as the dessert on your way out.
Where: Lily Cottage, 19, Chowpatty Seaface, Near Wilson College, Chowpatty, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400007
Price: 200-300


Courtesy: Zomato
Courtesy: Zomato
Hungry Yet? Well, what are you waiting for? Grab that almost empty wallet and savor your belly with flavor of Mumbai!!
budgetfood
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