The Bachchans may not have dropped by at Hotel Ram Ashraya, opposite the kabutarkhana at Matunga. But the snacks on offer there are as good as any Udupi joint. Its rava and neer dosas, golibaje, pineapple sheera are justly famous. The place opens at 5am and soon enough all the tables are occupied. Men and women in shorts go for their brisk morning walks and come here to make up for the lost calories. However, the same cannot be said about the branch opened not long ago across the road with the same name. When it started the place served some excellent Andhra style rasam, Kerala parottas, etc. But now there is a sharp deterioration in quality. The other day I ordered a thali and regretted it. The chapatis and rice were cold and so were the veggies.
Live screening of India-Pakistan one-day international match at
Mahalaxmi Racecourse on Sunday | SALMAN ANSARI
Heritage Tag Is No Excuse
It is surprising that some people are actually supporting Irani bakeries that use wood and charcoal, unmindful of the pollution they cause. Some want these cafés to be given the heritage tag as if it’s OK for a heritage tagged bakery to add to the already worsening air pollution in the city. A few guys are even warning that Mumbaikars will not be able to have their favourite vada-pav if the Irani bakeries shut down. Somebody should tell them there are several other bakeries that run on gas and their pavs are equally good. I think there should be zero compromise when it comes to tackling pollution. Incidentally, many of the Irani cafés would do well with some deep cleaning.
An Asset For Shinde
Shaina NC has become a huge asset for the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde. She is the connect between the party and the social elite of Mumbai. She doesn’t miss a single opportunity to keep Shinde in the limelight. So when ‘Chhaava’ was released, she organised a special screening of the powerful movie at the Inox theatre in Nariman Point last week. It was attended by the who’s who of Mumbai who greeted Shinde as he entered the hall chanting ‘Jai Sambhaji’. The guests were plied with cheese sandwiches, samosas, cupcakes, popcorn (noncaramalised) and soft drinks as they watched a slice of Maratha history unfold in front of them.
Tailpiece
A wag commented on social media that the BMC, which is on a digging spree, is actually looking to discover a Mohenjo-daro below the streets. (Compiled by S Balakrishnan)
