Viva la Vile Parle - Gajalee

A town is defined by its people, places, events, weather etc. Gajalee is one such restaurant which has been an icon on Vile Parle’s and Mumbai’s culinary map since several years, lending Parla its distinctive identity. A Landmark on Hanuman Road, this joint has attracted many sea food enthusiasts and is a favorite of many celebrities, appealing mainly to Maharashtrian tastes. Tastes I say because Marathi sea food cuisine is not simply Malvani as many think. The food here has influences from Karnataka as also a generic way of preparation which might appeal to wide demographics. Check out some of the awards and accolades at http://www.gajalee.com/.

I have come back home after a brief period from Bangalore, and if there is one of the things unique which set Mumbai and Bangalore food apart is the sea food, obviously. So when asked which place to have dinner I couldn’t resist Gajalee, again.

First off the start without asking for a menu we, meaning me and my Brother, ordered Fried Bombil (Bombay Duck) and Tandoori Pomfret. These dishes are to die for. If not the need for the variety on offer we could have ended dinner on rounds of these two dishes. The Bombil is perfectly fresh and crispy, melts in the mouth leaving you wondering if you ever had some. The Pomfret was nice and robust. Cooked with the right amount masala and oil or butter – it was deliciously light. Tempting us to order a second round but we held on to having a main course. The waiter – conversing in Kannada after eaves dropping on our conversations suggests we order an Oyster Masala with Neer Dosa and Akki roti – or Rice Bhakri. Palak Khichadi for Mom as she is a Vegetarian, and so am I most of the time. Beverages were Sol Kadi and Fresh lime soda. The Sol Kadi is of a love it or hate it kind of make, so not recommended for the un adventurous.

A waiter does the rounds of tables balancing a fresh Pomfret, Lobsters and live Crabs for the customers to choose. As the price varies with the item, the waiter has to display the many offerings. The live giant crabs wriggling around are a sight and the kids reactions are quite a sight. I remember meeting my meal last time I had come here – he or she was a sprightful fellow who transformed into a tasty meal.

Palak Khichadi that mom ordered is very nice. It’s a bit heavy on the fat though but tastes awesome. It soothed my tongue from the fiery Oyster Masala. Beware this one is not for Kids, spicy hot with a tomato based gravy – the Oyster masala was a unique experience. I never had oysters before and I think I will skip them and stick to rather mobile crustaceans.

The cost of such a wonderful meal – 1200 for 2 sea foodies and dear vegetarian Mom.

I leave for Bangalore with new memories with my family, satisfied expectations and a hunger again which is so easy to deplete in times of task. I hope I come across newer experiences like ones to be had at Gajalee.

Now I am off for some Vada Pav…

Bangalore, how long till its no more

The Tech capital of India, the global IT hotspot, the place when millions of young Indians have flocked to make a career and call it home. I donot see a bright future ahead alas. I hope I am wrong.

Here is a glimpse of the future 10 years from now -

Bangalore is a workforce magnet. People from the country - not able to find opportunities in their home town or state still flock to Bangalore. Its Mumbai in fast forward. Inefficient state governments are to blame.

There is inadequate road network. The existing ones have been stretched to capacity a decade before. Traffic Jams are the order of the day. The workforce needs to spend a lot of time just to reach work. Bangalore since it cannot be served by a spine shaped railway corridor like Mumbai, the metro simply wont work. It is working in a few sectors, but is merely a gimmick. It cannot handle the ammount of passengers required like the Mumbai locals. It connects few areas, people would rather take their own vehicles. Vehicles add to congestion. Pollution levels have increased alarmingly. A daily unavoidable fight against traffic.

There is not enough water for buildings built recently. The water table is depleted soon after Monsoon. New Buildings are not served by the water utilities. People have to rely on Shady Water Tanker services. There is a severe Electricity deficit. Realty rates are sky high and unreasonable. Concept of Bangalore suburbs fail to provide people a good living zone.

Local political bodies similar to Shiv Sena will start agitations to claim rights for 'Sons of Soils' and similar Bull Shit.

Thats some of the things I forsee - all of these assumptions are possible. Agree am a pessimist, but this is is a fact in making, unless herculean efforts by the powers that be do something. Visionaries have made great efforts but votebank politics and crooks in power have screwed things up bigtime in the nation in general. Its not a regional problem rather a national one. There is a quick fix solution in the making right now - Integrated private Cities with adequate infrastructure for a limited number of residents. People will work and stay within giant gated cities, outside is an urban disaster.

Take that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome !

Yep the reason for my absence from subjecting random people to my blogs is CTS. Happens mostly to unsuspecting code monkeys who bang away at keyboards with the worst of typing postures. Plus I have the added advantage of having wrists thinner than usual – I knew instantly I wont be a good wrestler, shame the world will not witness that.

Sooo anyways why this return? Not for people to acknowledge my ramblings – that’s a side effect and I found out that quite a lot of people do like my stuff (honest to god people did notice I stopped writing and asked me to do more foodie posts), but I realized I had simply stopped thinking creatively. Partly because of CTS curtailing my typing, partly because I am still in the middle of a crisis, I am sure I will overcome now that I have found whats the root of it all. Not cured though relieved as to remember there is a tunnel out of the cave at the end of which is a light.

So here is the first salvo against it all – at least one article per week. Come rain or bad bandwidth; code reviews or aching hands the one article shall be written. (Note to myself -this doesn’t count)

Thanks a bit to Scott Adams in part – got a lot of inspi after I started reading his book – ‘Stick to Drawing Comics Monkey Brain!’ mind you was #1 NY Times Best Seller.