Nov 06, 2006 05:42 PM
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Having spent the month of Ramadhan savouring the choicest of non-vegetarian delicacies (not that it is customary, but one tends to), it was only natural for me, as I usually do… to go on a veggie diet the following weeks after Ramadhan. With the festive mood of Diwali still in the air my resolution to go veggie for the week only helped me further.
However a trip down memory lane to Chembur Camp (I used to be all over during those college days) with wife in tow resulted in a visit to VIG's, the small Sindhi-Punjabi snack joint in the Chembur neighbourhood. The place had definitely changed over the last decade from a small nook in the wall to a full fledge snack bar serving ethnic Punjabi and Sindhi delicacies. Decent seating, apt service and with family crowd for company our order for the day was definitely a mix of Sindhi and Punjabi snacks.
As many will be aware, Snacks in Punjabi or Sindhi food generally means a brunch (my appetite reads it as meal), thus our order for the day was Dal Pakwaan and Paneer Butter Kulcha with a Veg-Pulao and Salted Butter Milk. The crispy Dal Pakwaan was one of its kind, I have not as yet tasted a better option earlier, not even at VIG's a decade back. The Pakwaan was crisp, but did not hurt the gums as lesser-done ones usually do, and the accompanying Dal with a dash of lemon pickle and coriander chutney to enhance its taste, was just right (Just For Info: Sindhi Muslim's on the other side of the border, Karachi have their Pakwaan with Dal Gosht).
The Paneer Butter Kulcha was just amazing. Made over a standing 'drum tandoor' and served hot and soft, with thick rich stuffing of pre-spiced cottage cheese (paneer), excellent! Enhancing its taste was carom seed (ajwain) among the spices which gave it that herbal exotic flavour…just wow! Accompanying the kulcha was a small bowl of extra soft Punjabi chole, the kind that your teeth never get to feel as it melts away in your mouth with just a little tempering from your tongue.
The Veg. Pulao was okay, accompanied by the same Punjabi Chole with a dash of lemon pickle and coriander chutney. They do not voluntarily serve the complimentary ring onions or vinegar onions as is common with Indian restaurants, however a request for one was not negated and a small bowl (same size as that of chole) of chopped onions promptly found its place at our table.
Lastly the salted butter milk (chaas) in an extra tall glass was in order, but, with so much in us we requested that it be served in two halves (2X1, two-by-one Mumbai style), the waiter attended to our request very promptly.
All this was for just Rs.78/-, so next time you are in Chembur and need a quick brunch/lunch/meal, you know where to look for… VIG.
P.S. VIG could only attract a gourmet who is ready to travel those extra miles, as it has no other attraction around. VIG also serves Tikki Chole, Samosa Chole, Chole Batura, Aloo Gobi Butter Kulcha, Sweet and salted Lassi and some more.
