Roll out the Bohra submarine

After whipping up lip-smacking cuisine for ferry parties for years, Anmol Caterers have now given the kebab roll a 21st century makeover. Here's the lowdown on this gastronomic reinvention, and other Bohra delights

After whipping up lip-smacking cuisine for ferry parties for years, Anmol Caterers have now given the kebab roll a 21st century makeover. Here's the lowdown on this gastronomic reinvention, and other Bohra delights

Hailing from the mostly business-minded Dawoodi Bohra community, Mustafa T Lokhandwala dreamt only of opening his own fast food Mughlai joint, when he entered the catering industry, several years ago. Back then, Mustafa joined forces with a friend in the restaurant business. That was where he learnt the tricks of the trade, and his way around a kitchen.


Chicken Submarine Sandwich. Pics/ Sameer Markande

Five years ago, Mustafa set up Anmol Caterers in Mazagaon, which now routinely caters to parties hosted on ferries at Apollo Bunder.

"Our menu includes Continental and Chinese fare, and not just Mughlai food," says Mustafa, adding, "Prices vary from Rs 350 to Rs 550, per head, for a minimum of 80 guests.

Mustafa's company is registered with Anjuman-E-Shiate Ali, an organisation, which is committed to the preservation of Dawoodi Bohra traditions. He explains, "In keeping with the organisation's norms, we adhere to specific standards of hygiene. Before we were registered, we were given 'sabaq,' i.e., a set of instructions on how, and in what atmosphere the food must be prepared to meet standards that are suitable for the mumineen (believers)." Registration comes with benefits too, with members often being treated to cooking workshops by the city's top chefs or guest chefs from overseas. It also qualifies Mustafa to prepare food for traditional celebrations, he tells us.

THE SUBMARINE SANDWICH
Crediting the blessings of His Holiness Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin Saheb (TUS) for the start of his latest venture, Mustafa says, "The idea to make good Bohra food to people on the go has been in the pipeline for a while. I felt Submarine Sandwiches, would be an interesting change from the usual Roomali Wraps."
The eatery stocks both Sandwiches and Roomali Wraps though, so you choose from a Chicken Oyster Sauce Roll (Rs 65), a Paneer Tikka Roll (Rs 70) or a Veg Tikki Submarine Sandwich (Rs 75). The Chicken Biryani (Rs 60), Reshmi Tikka Roll (Rs 65) and the Chicken Submarine Sandwich were good, though a tad heavy on the mayo. No delivery charge is levied for orders placed within a 5 km radius of the Kalbadevi outlet.

NOT JUST WEDDINGS...
Apart from weddings, his company also prepares Niyaz Ka Khana, for sombre occasions, for which the simple thaal would comprise a single item each for the sweet, savoury and main courses. This, of course, is in complete contrast to the typically opulent Bohra Thaal. And just as the French serve sorbets between courses to cleanse the palate so one can savour each course, in case of the Bohra Thaal one is served a sweet or mithaas first, followed by a savoury starter or kharaas. The main course is served after a second dessert and another appetiser have done the rounds. The menu isn't limited to traditional foodu00a0- souffle or ice cream can be served as mithaas, while Thai curry could be the jaman or main course. The emphasis on 'sharing' must remain, hence eight people must eat the meal from a single 34-inch thaal.

At 512, Moss Building, next to Edward Cinema, Kalbadevi Road.
call 9223263886/ 65235886

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