To fall in love with a city, you need to live there. I truly believe in it. I want to share that I totally love Bombay (Mumbai) and it will always be the city I love! This city has character, life and layers which you will get to know if you live and breathe Bombay. Well and I also love the song-
Aye dil hai mushkil jeena yahan, Zara hat ke zara bach ke, yeh hai Bombay meri jaan
Oh my heart, life is an uphill struggle, Be alert, be street wise, this is Bombay my love
Though the song just depicts the harsh reality of life and not the way this city romanticises… The midnight walks at marine drive, eating sandwiches at charni road’s famous brother’s Sandwich or the famous bun maska near at metro cinema on early mornings – The city is rich in love and truly no one can ever offer and there are countless emotions, in being part of this city. This city hypnotizes everyone. The City that never sleeps – which is actually what we call New York, but it truly fits Bombay. As Salman Rushdie shared – “You can take the boy out of Bombay, you can’t take Bombay out of the boy”. And another is my favourite quote by Danny Boyle – “It’s not so much what you learn about Mumbai, it’s what you learn about yourself, really. It’s a funny old hippie thing, but it’s true as well. You find out a lot about yourself and your tolerance, and about your inclusiveness”
I remember my first morning when I came from San Francisco after my training, to join Mumbai office – Poha and sheera from a road side hawker that cost me 20 bucks, was my first ever meal which I will never forget. And then apparently, became my favourite place for breakfast.
Bombay has this unique character, where people come here from different parts of the country and dwell here – Bombay becomes their home.
As per geography, Bombay consists of seven islands which are joined together. The elevation of the city varies from 10 to 15 meters. However, the city rises to a maximum elevation of 450 meters in northern Mumbai. The city is located on the Arabian Sea at the mouth of the Ulhas River and covers most of the Salsette Island whose remaining area is covered by Thane which actually forms a part of the Mumbai Metropolitan region. There are two big lakes in the city, namely Tulsi and Vihar and numerous small rivers like the Dahisar, Poisar and Oshiwara. The way Bombay is spread – and so is the vast spread of its food and rich cultural heritage. Come with me and explore this rich city….
If we start with Dahisar which is the last corner of Bombay, then you will find dhaba that will remind you of Delhi Chandigarh highway. Food that you get here is of Punjabi style and is a famous weekend destination for great food. From Kandivali till Andheri, you get mixed culture as people from other states come here for job. Besides local maharastrian food, you get Gujrat food too. Andheri is a big place and is an industrial belt and road side food is available in abundance. Starting from Poha to vada pao to dabeli to missal pao, you get everything including lunch (mixed cuisine) for office goers. Matunga is famous for south Indian food; Juhu Chaupati for pao bhaji, BKC for contemporary food as we have MNC’s here; Dadar gives maharashrian and muslim food. Dadar also has the best vada pao. Mumhammad ali road gives amazing Muslim delicacies. Sian and koliwada is famous for dhaba style food especially amongst students. Town side which is main Bombay provides café style food and great food at parsi restaurants.
I had a reason for sharing all of this and the reason is the unique Nida Mehmood’s creation – JUNGLEE BILLEE which is a restaurant created in studio style and everything about this place is photogenic – Furniture, pops and this place reminds one of moves from 70-80s. This is the first women club of India where you need to get your girl along (be it your girlfriend, your wife) or maybe just a girl who is your friend, your female colleague or your sister! The relations are endless, however the point is you need to be accompanied by a female.
Chef Saby who created the concept of soda bottle is responsible for the amazing food. Chef Pawan Bisht who was part of soda concept is part of this team too. Everything about this place will remind you of Bombay. The food is a reflection of various places of Bombay. Be it Kiliwada chicken or dhokla or Khandvi or mawa cheesecake – this place breathes Bombay.
Well this is what we have as the story of Bombay – unveiled through Junglee Billee. I will share more on food in my next post as this was the launch/preview of this unique place.
Where
Junglee Billee
M-24,Greater Kailash – 1,
Market
New Delhi,
India
Phone : 085271 05488
Meal for two – INR 1800( Approx)
Timings : 12PM-12AM
Find them on Facebook here
