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Christmas Month of December begins with an Interesting Weekend… Some Research on FDI in Retail,Jupiter Bio,OnMobile Global,Jain Irrigation,Sensex Earnings….also Met some really Interesting Business Heads In India…Daughter captaining Maharashtra Football Team at the School Nationals in Port Blair…winding up with some relaxing social interaction…now looking forward to seeing where the Sensex closes in 2011

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Christmas Month of December begins with an Interesting Weekend… some Research on FDI in Retail,Jupiter Bio,OnMobile Global,Jain Irrigation,Sensex Earnings….meeting up with  some really Interesting Business Heads In India…Daughter captaining Maharashtra Football Team at the School Nationals in Port Blair….and winding up with some relaxing social interaction

Some Research….

  • to thrash Jupiter Biosciences that has sunk from Rs 75 last December to under par Rs 10 this December…will post it soon on company website under Scrip Tease …. a USA based friend had requested to check this fall as he is a hapless shareholder who  is related to the Promoters and feels awkward  asking them about this decimation…Book Value is Rs 125 ! 
  • to put OnMobile Global at Rs 66 on Scrip Watch …Morgan Stanley currently has this as a wealth creator idea
  • to figure out Jain Irrigation…will shortly put up view on company site….Both Enam and Morgan Stanley recommend it quite strongly at Rs 120 levels
  • Sensex 30 Earnings Trends..report soon to be put up on the company website 
  • Government’s recent controversial policy announcement for 51% FDI in Multi Brand Retail…checked out Wal Mart and it’s Chinese Operations….Phew ! …they are huge…will out scale simply any competition…will put up a brief note soon on company website highlighting the Pros and Cons

Interesting Meetings with Business Heads… 

Met some really interesting Business Heads in India ….,

  • The CFO of a conservative mutual fund…. has decided to enter Derivatives finally
  • The CFO of listed real estate company that’s just had a name makeover…opines that the share prices of real estate companies will move in a narrow range for awhile…nothing exciting happening
  • A leading behavioural share broker….”your guess is as good as mine” on how the Stock Market will behave in 2012
  • Chinese head of the Indian Operations of a leading Hong Kong Financial Services Giant who has entered India through a JV…”Nice to be in India “
  •  Foreign Returned Indian Director of a Bill Gates Foundation aided Indian NGO who needs help on Corporate Governance Issues and going about setting up a New Board and how to deal with Interference from a leading Industrialist 
  • A leading Expert on Transfer Pricing who had retired very early in life to seek spiritual self….Is Now entering Share Trading for a livelihood !…busy attending trading courses and reading up books on Trading ! Interesting !  
  • A leading ex CA Partner of a Big Four Firm who also headed earlier a leading Diamond Group’s Global Operations…has now just entered the Construction business in New Mumbai,near the new Proposed Airport…says Rs 4500/sq feet is cheap…it is really worth Rs 15000/sq ft !….Keep an Eight Year view he asserts and you will gain multifold !…on my wavelength of a contrarion view on Real Estate for the Long Term    

Daughter Captains the u 19 Maharashtra State Football Team….

The 57th School National Games for u 19 Girls Football Event began in Port Blair on December 1,2011….16 year old daughter was appointed the Maharshtra Team Captain and had the honour of  holding the State Flag while leading her Team in at the Opening Ceremony…They thrashed Gujarat  7-0 on Friday,December 2,2011  and now face a tougher opponent Orissa tomorrow who also beat Gujarat 6-0 yesterday in their group…Both Maharashtra and Orissa qualify for the Quarter Final Knock Out Stage

The Journey to Port Blair was exhausting…The Team left the Kolhapur Camp by Haripriya Express Train on Nov 25 for Renikunta,near Tirupati to catch the connecting Madras Express to Chennai on Nov 26 morning…they missed the connection and had to catch a later train….it was raining in Chennai late night when they reached…left on a 60 hour journey for Port Blair by Ship on evening of November 27,2011 by SCI’s MV Harshavardhana….excitement turned to disgust as they were travelling Bunk Class…sleeping was on steel bunk beds….the food was not edible….they survived on biscuits for three days !…….they had mobile phones and monies stolen…daughter’s phone went….we remain in touch through phones of teammates…”Like you see Jail in the Movies,Dad ! ” …A Pity that a listed PSU like SCI runs such a third rate service on their Passenger Ship to Port Blair…..but Port Blair is better…awesome view from the Ship as they came in…and the Opening Ceremony Parade was lovely….daughter says the Games are being covered on DD Sports…told her to enjoy the Games and shirk off any Captaincy Expectations and Pressures….School Prelims begin this week and she will miss a few papers….She’s in Std X and will be appearing in March 2012 for the ICSE Final Examinations….School is thrilled at her achievement as this is the first time in the history of the School that a Girl has been selected for the State Team for the School Nationals conducted by the School Games Federation of India…her poster announcing this has been put up front as one enters the School….feel warm and proud that she continues to make her School & State and Family & Friends proud….like a Business Leader Friend (not part of above people I met) and Father of her schoolmate remarked to me and a few others in our group last night “She is my hero and my inspiration ! “….well,she is mine too !           read more

My Son simply swears by ‘Ayubs’ for the kebabs and ‘Bachelors’ for the Juices and Icecream in South Mumbai

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My Car has both the Menus in the Glove Compartment as my Son simply swears by ‘Ayubs’ for the succulent kebabs in Kala Ghoda,between Fountain and Colaba and ‘Bachelors’ for the Fresh Fruit Juices and  Natural Icecream without any Artificial Flavours near Chowpatty Beach in South Mumbai

……and this weekend Kunal Vijaykar,the host of ‘The Foodie’ on the ‘Times Now’ Channel is covering both…the guy’s got a great job,if you can call it that !…he lives his passion and gets paid for it too !…he’s on my Club’s Catering Committee alongwith the famous Tarla Dalal

Ayub,himself set up ‘Ayubs’ in 1985 and was actually making Sandwiches from a 3 Foot by 1.5 foot table at Cuffe Parade in South Mumbai…one day a customer got some Rotis from home and asked him to stuff them with Chicken…other customers started asking for the same…and thus was born the famous Ayubs ‘Wrap’…it’s a thin roomali type roti and today ‘Ayubs’ offers 25 stuffing combinations from the initial five….Chicken in Tikka,Reshmi or Shahi Form…Mutton….Vegetarian Options revolve around Mushroom and Potato Combinations…two chutnies,red and green, are spread across a hot roti and the stuffing is straight swiped off into the thin roomali roti from the skewer lifted from the charcoal fuelled flames… rings of raw onion are spread across…the roti is then wraped manually inside a  second or two within a butter paper hold and served to customers who come in their cars and eat off it on the road….service is on till way past midnight and Ayub reveals that he now sells 500 wraps in a night….it is spicy in flavour but not price…so please do instruct if you want your wrap non spicy or less spicy……Do remember to call for a Bottle of Mineral Water or an aerated drink…your ‘Wrap’ will roll down your throat well with this 

And Bachelors…..it was set up in the mid 1930s by the late Mr Agarwal and is run by his family now……try the Chilli and Ginger flavour Icecream…. and in season, relish the fresh Strawberries or ripe Alphonso Mangoes with Fresh Cream…if you’re into Milkshakes check out  their ‘Liquid Marble’,that’s literally a vertical half and half Milkshake…Chocolate and Vanilla…you are served in your Car…and at weekends it’s difficult to find parking space at ‘Bachelors’….one has to park a little distance away as Marine Drive begins from the Beach side….Bachelors has placed it’s guys all along the road to take your orders and serve you…It offers some fast food choices too  read more

It’s Raining ! It’s Pouring !…and this weekend has been anything but Boring !….Raindance at the Bar Night…..Dad’s 13th Death Anniversary…. School Speech Day with Home Minister Mr P Chidambaram as the Chief Guest

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Mumbai Rains have started quite ferociously…It’s been a really Wet Weekend…event packed too

Raindance at the Club’s bar Night on Friday,June 10,2011

TGIF….began with a first time ever ‘Raindance’ at the Club Bar Night on Friday….great music,great ambience,great food spread by ‘Culinary Catering’…Starters and Burmese Khow Suey…. and ‘Maroosh’…Kebabs and Wraps…. and the Club…Biryani and Pao Bhaji…..and some great crowd of 1000+ streaming in even past midnight……so there we were mingling with the 20 somethings…average age would be in the 20s…quite a few of us did our bit to raise it by being there !…. was warned,though did not heed, by my 20 something son “Go early and come back early !…don’t be there when I’m there !” ….my wife did have a comment or two to make on the young women at the scene….. on their dress sense,or rather a lack of it, and that drinking and smoking does not appear taboo any longer….hip and hep and happening and normal actually…..and guys don’t seem to mind all of this ofcourse !…..It’s Wet,Wicked and Wild !…..well within decency norms though….though the definition of decency norms are relative…. the inside airconditioned pub and dining room were packed tot the hilt… but the outside Main Lawns and Patio was the place to be…..It was Pouring,though superb arrangements were made for artifical rain too…eight shower hoses hoisted on long poles ,four on either side of a makeshift wooden dancefloor,to protect the grass, across the width of the Main Lawns leading to the Golf Course where tankers feeding the hoses and hidden from view were parked……and my friend and I were the first to hit the Raindance Area…Thoughtfully huge Club Towels too were provided….was Fun,though we exited just past midnight leaving the place to younger revellers to enjoy till the wee hours…was introduced to a Catamaran Owner…an interesting ‘Hangover’ movie type of guy…he’s wants to build a Marina at Alibag…currently his Boat is anchored at the Gateway…airconditioned and can carry 15 easily….says he sails to Goa on just the wind and no fuel consumption…just fuel otherwise can set one back by a lakh on just one trip by a yatch….though right now the sea is off bounds due to Monsoon setting in   read more

Mumbai Monsoons & Muthuswamy Lunch !…..Marvelous Mouth Watering Sunday

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You’ve not tasted Mumbai if you’ve not tasted Muthuswamy’s South Indian All Vegetarian fare…..

Years ago…more than a decade really,this enterprising South Indian began catering to private parties and Events in Mumbai…his fame spread quickly and for compelling reasons

His variety is spectacular….the ingredients are fresh as is the preparation….some like ‘Dosa’ and ‘Appam’ and ‘Idli’ are churned out at live counters right in front of your eyes……the quality is never compromised…..the accompaniments are fabulous…three to four types of ‘Chutney’…’Rasam’…’Sambhar’

Oh ! he does not run a restaurant…so you want a taste of Muthuswamy,you got to either host a Party yourself where you retain him to cater…he is a bit expensive now…. or scout around for great value for money Club and Private Events to be invited to where he does 

….I remember several years ago at a Sunday Pool Party with Kids & Friends , and when Muthuswamy was building up his reputation,he personally took out the ‘Appam’, I had served myself, from my Plate….“Sir, not Good not to eat Hot !” …and promptly prepared a Fresh Hot ‘Appam’…instantly we connected and he had got a new ‘Fan’ who was much younger and more handsome then and who also was thoroughly enjoying the food fare in his swimming trunks ! 

His ‘bisibele’  is the best I’ve tasted…and today I had just two helpings of it !

…and this Wet Sunday….yes! the South West Monsoon has hit Mumbai a few days earlier than expected….Muthuswamy recreated his Magic once again  at the Club with the Rains pouring down on the Lawns and the Golf Course creating a visually soothing and lovely setting just like the English Countryside….. 

….our Club was hosting this Muthuswamy Lunch,like it does every first Sunday of the Month for a few years now….and while we have tasted his fare several times before elsewhere we have never patronised it at the Club till today….it is always in demand and is always a full house in the airconditioned Dining Room…..with tables being reserved several days in advance……..we had therefore booked early and had requested for our choice of table,which was graciously given…..the Buffet is laid out in the Open Air Patio while the seating is in the Dining Room alongside….this opens out to the lawns and the Golf Course….  read more

Care to Join for a Sumptious Gujarati Thali this Sunday afternoon in South Mumbai…..It’s a Toss up between Panchavati Gaurav and Shree Thaker Bhojanalay….probably the latter because of the ‘Aaam Rus’

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Nephew is down from Auckland enroute to USA…he is crazy on a Gujju Thali….so are all of us really….but once in a while…simply too heavy….so today Sunday Lunch is ideal to have one

Checked out on the Phone what the best Thali Places in South Mumbai are offering today….

Panchavati Gaurav at Marine Lines (22084877) near Bombay Hospital…Rs 290 unlimited….No ‘Aaam Rus’ but the usual Farsans,’Kathol’,Sweetmeats,Various Rotis and Dal/Kadhi and Rice/Pulao…Vegetables for lunch today are Paneer Tikka,’Fulawar Vatana’ (that’s Cauliflower & Peas and my favourite ! ) and Aloo Rasawala…opens Noon

Shree Thaker Bhojanalay at Kalbadevi (22088035) opposite G T School…Rs 350 unlimited…with ‘Aaam Rus’ and usual farsans ,’kathol’,etc…..Vegetables for Lunch today are Bhindi,Mutter Paneer Muthia and Aloo Masala……..opens at 11.30 am     

Golden Star Thali is not lifting both their phones…so we have ruled it out

Rajdhani ,Chetana and Birla are not really up our rankings

Nephew will decide from the top two above….may want to go for ‘Aaam Rus’ and therefore Shree Thaker Bhojanalay

Both,Panchavati Gaurav and Shree Thaker Bhojanalay were very pleasant and courteous and forthcoming on the phone when I spoke with them

Want to join ?

Cheers ! 

Added Post Thali Lunch at Shree Thaker Bhojanalay at 3.30 pm

Awesome Thali at Shree Thaker Bhojanalay…..lucky to get a table on arrival….those who followed us had to wait for 15 minutes to half an hour….I’m told today was not such a heavy rush…..this Airconditioned  Eatery seats about 60 to 70 and is situated on the first floor….Often those waiting  for a table stretch to the ground floor….Everything served Quick,Fresh and Hot where it should be…The Servers seem to come one after the other in a never ending procession….all doing ‘Agrah’…that’s urging us to eat more !….The Water is Mineral…The Buttermilk is simple and fresh and not sour…thankfully no masalas….you can add the ‘jeera’ powder if you wish…you can opt for a Curd too…varied choice of Rotis served Hot with Ghee Options…’Chapatis’,Puris,Makki di Roti,Bajra Rotla….several chutnies….coriander,garlic,sweet…..two basic salads…One of tasty raw pumpkin and the other  a ‘kachumber’ of tomatoes and cucumbers ……’Farsan’ was Corn Cutlets,Dhoklas,Bhajias….three tasty vegetables…Mutter Paneer Muthia,Bhindi and Aloo Masala….’Kathol’ was the lovely white ‘chole’…..Papad and Khichda…Choice of Spicy or Sweet Dal or ‘Kadhi’……Steaming Basmati Rice or Pulao…with Ghee and ‘Osaman'( heavy ‘Lachko’…not liquid ‘Tur’ Dal Preparation) Options ! ……….Mouthwatering………Fruit Shrikhand….Moog Dal Halwa…….and the reason we chose Thakkars Bhojanalaya >  the ‘Aaam Rus’…..simply mindblowing…all of us had three to four ‘vatkis'(Small Steel Bowls served in a Thali) each…..these are the Seasons first Mangoes…in fact we parceled six ‘vatkis’ for home at Rs 40/vatki……. read more

MY TOP CHOICES for The Best Vegetarian Food in Mumbai….The Best Thalis in Town….South Indian to Sizzlers….Chinese to Continental….Italian to Indian….Pao Bhaji and Punjabi….Mughlai,Mexican and Maharashtrian

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Where do I go for the Best Vegetarian Food in Mumbai ?

……Am a Foodie…have tried scores of restaurants,some expensive and some great value for money, across the city but have just a few favourite and top choices

…….Wanted to share this with all of you for a long time now…better late than never….many also serve Non Vegetarian Fare…however many people especially Gujaratis,Marwadis and South Indians are staunch and fussy Vegetarians and will vist only Veg restaurants as even the smell of Non Veg they cannot bear …Though I’m a Vegetarian,I’m not one of them

……and these choices are not gleaned from other sources…the Proof of the Pudding is in the Eating….and so the only source are my very own Taste Buds…..I have relished the food at these places more than once…what stands out common among all is the consistency of taste and the freshness of the ingredients…if you like a particular dish the first time,you will vist the place again and again and will get the same consistent taste

South Indian (Only Veg)…MYSORE CAFE in Matunga….Steaming Idlis (ask for their special red pudi powder in Oil…awesome) …Rasam Vada….Neer Dosa…Filter Coffee…Several  Sunday Mornings begin with Breakfast at Mysore Cafe…Great Value for Money…has two sections…below is non a/c and up the staircase leads to the airconditioned seating area…you will have to share tables with others…packed on most mornings…Sundays double packed with waiting…around this are two other lovely similar fare restaurants,MADRAS CAFE and ANAND BHAVAN….Most Mumbaikars choices revolve around these three

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Dhiren…RAM ASHRAYA in Matunga for Mysore Sada and Filter Coffee

Anand…MYSORE CAFE in Matunga for Tomato Utthapa Omlet on Toast….ANAND BHAVAN for Kai Vada….MADRAS CAFE for Vada Sambhar…AMBA BHAVAN for Filter Coffee…UDIPI SRI KRISHNA for South Indian Thali….ROADSIDE CART for Mysore Masala outside Manis’s and opp Bhajan Samaj 

Gujarati Thali (obviously only Veg)….PANCHAVATI GAURAV  in Marine Lines…it’s just a coincidence it bears my name !.Food is less Oily…Place is hygenic and airconditioned..It offers Non Spicy food too for children and elders or those who find the main Thali too spicy.On weekdays it offers Thali Size Variations..Full or Part at cheaper cost…. THAKERS BHOJANALAY in Kalbadevi.I’ve had the best hot and piping ‘Moog ki dal ka Shira’ here in the Heavy Monsoons while it was pouring outside ……Rs 200 to Rs 300 on most days…Sunday will be higher…Season Specials are lovely…like Undhiyu in Winter….but you simply cannot eat such a Thali every day ! read more

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