The Gourmet
There are myriad varieties of Gourmets. The most conservative ones want to “eat, eat and die” but the second group wants to get into the finer details like recipe, database of good joints etc. They don’t mind experimenting and they are having a creative outlook.
Ludwig Bemelmans is considered to be the best gourmet who ever lived in this planet simply because he almost considered this as a religion. His one liner regarding gourmet is what describe me as a person with regard to my affinity with food.
“The true gourmet, like the true artist, is one of the unhappiest creatures existent. His trouble comes from so seldom finding what he constantly seeks: Perfection”
I do not mind taking the trouble to experiment, applying thought, burn my arms (or fingers at least) in search of anything that satiate my gastronomic pursuit. Mostly, I end up in pretty small joint with earthy ambience. The same happened with Only Rolls also. Barely 50 to 75 Sq. feet shop in Koparkhairne,
Navi Mumbai. Here goes, the detailed narration of what made me fall in love with the place, history of and philosophy of Rolls, hygiene / health aspects etc.
Need I mention my sincere apologies to the vegetarians? Well, I love to eat vegetarians (Hen is vegetarian only, right). PETA activists may spare me as even I am the one! Yes – P eople E ating T asty A nimals. Those who are not interested in the gory story of the monstrous carnivorous gourmet may please take a back seat.
Rolls
Thanks to my short stint in Kolkata during initial years of career. The freewheeling discussions (popularly known as Adda) and Gastronomic delight are the two facets of the city that made me fall in love with her. The Double Egg Double Chicken Roll I had from a small joint in Park Street made me quaff lots of water. But still, the taste was lingering and I was forced to visit this place more often.
When I was transferred back to Kochi, I left the city like leaving the girl friend back – Rolls, they are so inviting and yummy and the very thoughts of the same made me in a state of stupor.
What is Roll
A roll is a roll (Really?).
All purpose flour (Maida) being rolled and baked like Tandoori Roti and on one side you smash the egg and apply it in a uniform manner, bake it properly, take out and add the cooked chicken with essential masala, a bit of onion, some other vegetable salad component, sprinkle a bit of fresh lime juice, add a pinch of chaat masala, tomato and red chilly sauce and gentle roll the bread with the ingredients. Fold one of the edges and wrap the same with butter paper / tissue paper. From here, all gourmets can take over – Just wolf down with out any inhibition! Not a big deal – eh!
It is different from Frankie which is a junkyard of spices and sauces. Also, it is different from the Kathi Rolls (Another delight from Kolkata which is traditionally Kathi Kabab inside Paratha).
A bit about Navi Mumbai & Only Rolls
I rate this part of the globe as one of the most sought after places in the Universe! Is that a blasphemy? Fine, I am just speaking my mind out. Authentic Kerala Cusine from Kerala House, Vashi, Myriad Ice Gola Vendors in multi coloured / flavoured syrupy bottles and ever green Aloo Chhat in Mini Chowpaty, Sector 10 A, Vashi, Fruit Salad with Ice Cream (Might be the best in this variety I had, INR 55) from Health, Koparkhairne, p and the wonderful track encircling Mini Chowpatty that help burning all calorie intake!
I was familiar with Health Joint and was advancing in that direction. In between Bonkode and D-Mart, I saw the small hoarding Only Rolls and decided to apply brake. My first question was “Are you guys from Kolkata?”and to my surprise he said “Yes, from Park Street”.
Mohammed Ansar, the man behind the show with his earthy way of handling customers allowed me to click a few snaps. I saw the way in which he prepared the roll.
Limited amount of oil, egg being smashed in front of you and a bit of salt is sprinkled. It took only four mintues to cook and serve Single egg single chicken roll. Neat, clean, tasty and here comes the surprise factor - It is economic – Only Rs.35/- per roll!
Going further, you have multiple varieties of rolls – Mutton, Egg Rolls, Double Egg Double Chicken – but I have not seen any single roll that cost something close to three digit sum.
Hygine, health aspects, recipe
This is made of Maida and all health related issues regarding maida will definitely follow. So, rolls are not for daily consumption. Monthly twice or thrice is a good choice.
The recipe of chicken – Mohammed Ansar benevolently shared the secret of his recipe. It is all about small pieces of chicken being cooked with ginger and garlic, salt, garam masala and chilly powder. Somehow, I feel he could have made the pieces a bit small.
Also, you got the option to customize the roll. I opted to have more onion and no chhat masala which he obliged with grace.
Branches
They have got a branch in Sector 2 Vashi and near Chembur Railway Station . The price listing of various food items are uploaded as photograph with this review.
Finally
I have decided to pen this review because this could be the only review about this place in the entire universe at this point of time. They operate in low profile but yet they deserve this gesture from a satisfied customer. After all, a gourmet’s satisfaction happens only in once in a blue moon. So why not share it with others?
Roll it, Grab it and Bite!
