ITP Indian Travel Places: Food, Travel, Tourism Business Events and Trade Shows
Address: Oceanic Building, Shirley, Carter Road, Bandra West, Mumbai, India
Time: 8:30 AM to 12 Midnight
Meals for two: Rs. 600
Cuisines: Fast Food, Parsi
Facilities: Home Delivery, Seating Not Available, No Alcohol Available, Desserts and Bakes
It was love at first bite. It was at the hallowed over a century old Parsi members-only Ripon Club where I got my first taste of Parsi food, all thanks to the ever smiling Kali Modi. This was almost four decades ago, when I just moved from dreary Delhi and fell wildly in love (still am) with Mumbai and Parsi food. Sadly, there are only a handful of Parsi restaurants and so, I wait for Lagan nu Bhonu at Agiarys. However, when a Parsi restaurant does open, I do a joyous whoop and go cartwheeling to lunch there. Like I did at the three-month-old Cheron Cafe with two young, lovely, vivacious food instagrammers and bloggers. Whoa! She has studied Food Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and now Namrata Jaykrishna through @foodrata is sharing her foodie interests. Both hail from the royal family of Patdi Gujarat. Prarthana Desai, food videographer and national level footballer loves to cook. Together at Cheron, we had a fun time photographing, eating, instagraming.
Cheron, Carter Road, Bandra West, Mumbai: DECOR
Please ignore all those social media comments. Cheron Cafe does not have a sea view. Sure, it is daylight bathed, is charming, cheery and no frills. It’s seriously small, glassed in counters with shelves of food complete the decor.
Cheron, Carter Road, Bandra West, Mumbai: FOOD
Takeaway plates and containers… that’s what all the food is served in. Snacky (wraps, rolls, sandwiches) as well as one dish-meals. My awesome foodie friend Kunal Vijayakar swears by the “Patrani Machi” here. Snuggly wrapped in banana leaf and vibrant with chutney and gently steamed, the “Pamplet” is a must try. As is the plump pao with boldly spiced succulent Kheema and the somewhat greasy, but tasty mutton lacy cutlet. Moist and tangy Berry Pulao, lustily spiced mutton Salli Jardaloo. Flaky puffs baked with a filling of chicken (veg options, too). Velvetty firm Lagan nu Custard delights.
Cheron, Carter Road, Bandra West, Mumbai: MINUS POINTS
No table bookings. No alcohol. No ice. Some of the dishes miss the mark and could do with more punch. Like the Dhansak and the Mutton mince potato. Over-sweet desserts (kit kat, German chocolate).
Cheron, Carter Road, Bandra West, Mumbai: MY POINT
I love the fact that this small, cheery, open through the day Cheron Cafe is the result of four decades of a family’s passion. Baker and poultry pioneer Khoram Zorabian founded Bandra’s Gondola and Perizaad, his lovable actress daughter and murgiwaali is equally passionate about it. His son Sohrab’s Cheron has been catering Parsi food and now in cafes, too. Casual and value-for money has always been the guiding ethos. No frills, straightforward preparations and food served in takeaway containers. It encourages a basic kind of gluttony. Happily!
