Hungry in Bangalore: Lunch at Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR)

It took me 5 years, a cracked motorcycle fiberglass cowl and the magic of technology to enjoy the hallowed MTR meal. And one does not simply walk into MTR, one has to go through the arduous task of waiting in serpentine queues which could take up atleast an hour in the crowded portal of MTR. I have tried thrice previously and having exhausted patience had their sandwiches and desserts to satiate my hunger, which were pretty decent. Not worth the wait I decided, this place and Maiyas Jayanagar which are managed by the same family, I wouldn't eat at all.

I had to get a replacement for a part for my motorbike. A fiber glass cowling which wraps around the headlight, useless vanity and over engineering at work, but nevertheless required for a neat looking vehicle. The only place to procure this was JC road. Dusty and extremely confusing with its one way roads and multitudes of auto shops, I spent all noon getting the part and finding a decent service centre to install it for me. I was famished. The Mechanic told me it will take them 2 hours to get to start work on the bike and another 1 to finish. I had to kill 3 hours at a minimum.

Thank god for google maps. The search nearby function showed up Urvashi theatre and MTR. MTR impossible, lets head for the movie - Life of Pi. Looking at the crowds at the theatre I had a better chance at a ticket there than the MTR lunch.

It was 3.30 pm and haven't eaten since 11 am had made me super tired, hungry no more. MTR was the nearest source of nourishment and so sandwiches and ice cream it is. But there was no line at the coupon counter! Note  there are 2 stages of lines, one at the counter the other at the dining hall.

180 Rupees and dining hall waiting 30 mins, I couldnt believe my ears. I was afraid I would lose my appetite by the time I get served. And so I stood in line. 15 minutes later I was sitting in the old style dining hall sharing a table with a couple and their little daughter who weren't interested in small talk.

The fare is typical Kannada Udupi Brahmin style which is light vegetarian and closer to the 'sattvic' principles. Its healthy and when prepared well with the best ingredients is very delicious. Served in several courses, having lived in the south so long and having eaten this particular style of cooking several times, I knew exactly what to expect.

Round one

Steel plates instead of plantain leaves was disappointing but made sense given the ongoing garbage fiasco in Bangalore. And the onslaught begins - round one - puris with potato curry, mint and coconut chutney, crunchy carrot and lentils, thin payasam of coconut milk with cinnamon and cloves and a beans gojju. Great great taste. The food was really fresh and well prepared. Very less oil, simply prepared and everything rightly balanced. Oblivious while eating, I was served a super milk halwa dish I had for the first time, lovely semi caramelized dish of which I had two helpings.

Next came the star of the show - Bisibelle bhaat. This is the second best I have ever had which is a high compliment cause I have had this dish many times before, this here was a masterpiece. Really nice and thick with the correct spice balance - people mess the spice balance badly but this was on the dot. Served with a thin raitha and some crunchy mini papads. This Bisibelle bhaat was the high point of the meal.


Rice Sambar, Rice Rasam followed which were textbook dishes. Usual, but the quality of rice and preparation were top notch.

At this point, people around me were very stuffed. Still the food didnt feel so heavy at all. Louis CK said 'The meal is not over when I'm full. The meal is over when I hate myself'. There is no hating here, just the feeling of contentment.

Almost, I still have to try out their breakfast...

Hungry in Mumbai: Sammy Sosa Andheri/Oshiwara

I love bowling. The idea was to go bowling but Mumbai seems to have forgotten 10 pin fun. The closest and most proper bowling alley at Fun Republic has 2 lanes out of 4 working. It has people wearing all the wrong footwear dancing around the alley. Coconuts are more rounder than the bowling balls there. As expected a frame costs an arm and a leg and insult to injury a 2 hour waiting time. So its straight to dinner.

But choosing dinner isnt easy in this city. Fortunately I was in the company of 2 life style experts who amongst them would know all the way from good vada pav stalls to the worst mistakes you could do while ordering food in Beijing. Still we had the relatively easy task of locating an eatery in Andheri west. After a flurry of names I was less familiar with (and I call myself a foodie!) we decided on Sammy Sosa.

A Mexican and western casual eating joint in Mumbai would be the USP of this place. Warm comfy ambiance with a lively crowd, this place has a selection of imported beers which are pretty pricey. Of course there are the locals to give company. We started with the godzilla garlic bread and spicy bean tortilla which were very nice and quite filling. The portions are big so sharing would be a good plan.

While the main course was to come, I was enlightened what not to do in restaurants in China - dont share a table with other people or they might stick you with their food bill, you might get arrested and you surely dont want to do that. Also scratch out your CVV number on your credit card in that country.

Back to main course from the mexican part - Burrito - very very nice and the World Cuisine Main - Hommade Tortellini Stuffed Pasta was great for me but my pals didnt like it as much. The accompanying garlic breads were a bit too much to eat so again the main course is meant for more than 1 person easily (with normal appetites).

The only other mexican that I know of (not to be confused with Italian or Continental) is Taco Bell. So obviously this place ranks high for getting some change in your dinner routine.

No place for any desserts unfortunately, so definitely coming back again to try the other dishes on offer.