A Taste of Warmth

Chip Butty Sandwich at Theobroma,Colaba and Bandra
It’s easy to see why Theobroma’s most popular dish is the Chip Butty. What’s not to love about a sandwich that’s a decadent combination of buns soaked in butter,crunchy fries,garlic mayonnaise,and topped with fried egg or chicken shreds or bacon strips? It was originally meant to be an antidote to hangovers (the fat in the sandwich effectively absorbs all alcohol),but the Butty,because all the ingredients are so familiar and delicious,is also a great comfort food in cold and wet weather. “It’s simple enough to make at home and is very effective in keeping away monsoon blues,” assures Kamal Messman,managing director of Theobroma Foods Private Limited.

Chicken in Butter Lemon Sauce at Aga Brothers,Colaba
This hole-in-the-wall eatery can surprise you with the variety and innovation on its menu,but it’s the chicken in butter lemon sauce that really stands out. Captain J P Aga,senior partner at Aga Brothers,assures us,“It’s a very popular dish,especially in this weather. It’s almost like soup in the way it warms you.” In fact,you don’t even need to order the accompanying noodles or rice —this thick buttery gravy,punctuated with a lemony zest,can be had as a very filling and very warming bowl of chicken soup.

Kheema Pao at Good Luck Cafe,Bandra
It’s spicy and greasy and very,very tasty. Good Luck Cafe’s kheema pao is not exactly heart-friendly food,but if what you want is some TLC while it pours outside,make a beeline for this particular dish. Don’t be put off by the unprepossessing presentation — if it is meatiness and spiciness that you’re looking for then this is the dish for you,says Muhammad,the reticent owner. And don’t worry about its authenticity. “It’s all made at home,” he assures us.

Bajri Khichu at Swati Snacks,Tardeo
In appearance it’s merely a steaming hot lump of some mushy beige stuff,accompanied by a red hot chutney. In taste,it’s pretty much a spoonful of culinary heaven. Made of the humble millet flour (bajra) and stirred for a long time in plenty of ghee,this dish comes highly recommended for those who like it hot and spicy. And despite what you might think,this food actually has health benefits. “Traditionally,both bajri and ghee are supposed to be consumed during cold or wet weather. They’re heat-giving foods which are also very high on nutrition,” informs Manosh Solomon,manager at Swati Snacks.

Extra comforts
Sinful goodies that missed making it to the final list

Rajma Chawal at Crystal,Girgaum: If you miss your mum’s food,the only place that can make you feel better,especially when the weather goes blue,is a steaming plate of rajma and rice at Crystal.

Begun Bhaja at Oh! Calcutta,Tardeo and Lokhandwala: Slices of brinjal,marinated in a spicy mustard paste and shallow fried to perfect crispness promise much culinary delight.

Apple Crumble at Moshe’s,Cuffe Parade and Colaba: The goodness of apples and sweetness of cinnamon baked into a mushy pie with a crumbly exterior make for a great way to polish off a meal.

Brun-Maska and Chai at Yazdani Bakery,Fort: If you’re low on moolah,then the simple pleasures of Yazdani’s fresh bruns,generously slathered with golden butter and dipped in sickly sweet irani tea will cheer up your sombre evenings.