Non-Veg Delicacies

I have travelled across various locations within India for personal and official commitments. During my visits to various cities I came across unique delicacies. I am a pure Non-Vegetarian so all the stuff I write will be in praise of Non-Veg only.

The Traveller

Paratha and Galawati Kebab @ Tundey Kebab - Lucknow 
The best Kebab and paratha I ever had. One form is Galawat ke Kebabs, marinated with spices & papaya. Its very soft and it melts as ice-cream, once it touches the tounge. There are many varieties of kebab but of all this one is what I preferred. The visit to Lucknow is incomlete without having some paratha and kebabs and not to forget that "green chatani - pudeena". I asked for some more of the chutney and I was obliged. Apart from this the Lucknowi Biriyani is also worth trying. It is a different variety than the Hyderabadi Biriyani. Spices are more but the meat is very soft. The side dish of Reshmi kebab was a bit too much but once in a while over-eating is permitted. The best part of the whole deal is the mannerism, the language in short "the tahzeeb". I was made to feel that I was some royal guest. The suggestions by the locals were worth every penny.

Biriyani @ Hyderabad House - Hyderabad
Hyderabad House estd in 1975 (Mir Baber Ali), serves awesome "Biriyani". I ordered it with a platter of mixed "Kebabs". It has got franchisees all over H'bad. The Biriyani here has more of masala in it.

Haleem @ Pista House - HyderabadDuring my visit to H'bad, after a day's work, one of my colleague based there suggested that we spend sometime going around the city. I agreed and went to see charming Charminar. Nearby was a joint "Pista House". The time of year was the Holy Month of Ramzan. He suggested "Haleem" and we had the stuff sitting in the car. It is made out with a rich and nutritious combination of wheat, mutton, gram pulse, curd, onions and sprinkling of spices, it is especially suited to the fasting month. It was just amazing. I did get two packs back to Mumbai. There were more than 200 waiters, as the one who served us was numbered at 240.

Bade Mian, Mumbai

Chicken Bhuna, Roomali Roti & Baida Roti @ Bade Miya, Mumbai.

 

This place has been there for a while but I started frequenting this since 1998. It does not need a address or a landmark as it has one of its own, but for a naive traveler its behind the Taj mahal Palace Hotel. After a couple of Pitchers at Cafe Modegar, Bade Miyan used to be the place to literally "HOG". Back then the quantities were decent. Its quite easy to spot the hotel but its best to use your nose rather than the eyes. When you turn the corner from the Colaba Causeway, you can faintly smell the aroma of chicken in the tandoor. Turn right again, and you can cruise straight into the restaurant. Oh no, its not the typical restaurant with AC and Family section etc etc. Its a Kithcen on one side of the road and make shift sitting arrangement on the other side. First you see the smoke, then the bright lights and the visitors gawking at the cooks. Then you hear the sizzle of meat on tandoor, and by this time, the smoky smell of tandoor already has your tongue salivating in anticipation. Grab the nearest empty table (they're hard to find), and stay put. Order a Chicken Baida roti (egg-roti stuffed with minced chicken) first, and then take a look at the rather small menu-card. I'll recommend the Tandoor Chicken Leg, Chicken Bhuna, Gurda and a roomali roti to go with it. I'll also suggest a bottle of Thums Up (glass bottle) or packaged water here. While the above dishes are the highlights, many people like the chicken roll, which is quite filling. I also like the boti kebab, chicken and mutton seekh kabab, chicken tikka and "gurda fry". The tangdi kabab is also pretty good. The portions are not very generous, but filling all the same. The vegetarian menu is not inspiring. Though there is a separate Kitchen but this isn't a place for vegetarians. Only those survive who has the habit of sharing the same table with a meat eater.All dishes are served with tangy green and red sauces and a generous portion of onions. Mix the green and the red "Chutney" with onion. This place is a legend on it's own. It is the only streetside joint in Mumbai city which has been allowed to exist legally - rumour has it that a past police or municipal commissioner was a regular of this place and gave it legal sanction, rather than pack them up in one of those infamous BMC trucks...

The Sheekh Kebab

Chicken Bhuna on its way

Bade Miyan

Beer and Jukebox Music @ Cafe Mondegar, Mumbai

Beer and Jukebox Music @ Cafe Mondegar, Mumbai


Mondy's, as it is locally called, is a landmark in Mumbai. It's a beer bar that only serves beer and a few coolers but that's enough to keep it busy the whole week round. This place is run by a Parsi Baba and things are just as is as it was "in those days" except the Non Smoking part introduced after the government put a ban on smoking at public places. Just make sure that you arrive here by 6.30 pm or else be ready for queing up. Always buzzing with activity and resonating with all-time hits from the jukebox (They still have Pink Floyd, Queen, Eagles and many more), Mondy's has a unique ambience. There are two sections in it, I prefer the outer section (earlier this was without the AC), because this is the place of real action. The walls are covered with the famous Mario Miranda's painitings (which he made over a period of time earning INR 50000) - his spoofs on the city of Bombay - and if not the cricket match, then some sport or television event attracts audiences which sit for hours talking and watching the big screen LCD panels. It is also a popular place for tourists to congregate to beat the heat with a few beers or just to meet other people. The best part is they dont remove the empty bottles till the bill is paid, these can be a medallion for those who tend to compete. Be prepared to wait in line for a few minutes. If you happen to be regular then you will updated with all the affairs that are in the primitive stages, by the waiter. People generally come here for some Beer and a little bit of bites. The main course is generally in the adjacent lane at Bade Miyan  which serves a plethora of non veg delicacies. For those who would love to grab their dinner with some beer wont be disappointed as it serves fantastic Beef steak and Chicken Roast. Though I always settle down for a Chilly Cheese Toast and Onion Ring Fries. If you want some smoke walk out and you will have a shop on the left side of the entry. He has almost all the major brands with him. Also there are some Junk Jewellery shops adjacent ot it, need a bit of bargaining.