Tucked into one of the leafy lanes stretching out of Horniman Circle is Jimmy Boy – one of Mumbai’s few remaining Parsi restaurants. A big red sign over a stripped awning welcomes visitors into this split level restaurant and bakery. We walked in past lunch time and the non air conditioned section was still pretty full. Luckily, a table by a big window overlooking the street was empty. The lovely light, gorgeous bamboo and little nook made the perfect setting to enjoy our lunch.
I love eating different cuisines (though being a vegetarian does make things very restrictive) and I think one of the best things about India, is the diversity of food that one can find from North to South and East to West. Every community has their own unique food, governed by climate, geography, religious beliefs and tradition. Parsis have been an integral part of Mumbai and the city remains one of the best places to sample their cuisine. Parsis love their meat and eggs. In fact a number of vegetables are combined with egg, like Potato Par Edu (potatoes with egg) and Bhendi Par Edu (ladies finger with egg). Though the options for vegetarians is limited, popular dishes like Dhansak and Berry Pulao are available in vegetarian versions.
I started with a vegetable puff, which was particularly good and a bottle of Pallonji’s raspberry flavored drink. Somewhat of a Parsi icon, this raspberry flavored drink is available in only a few restaurants today. I did not fall in love with the sweet rose colored drink, but undoubtedly enjoyed sipping on it given it what was most people around me were drinking.
My husband who took us to Jimmy Boy had his eyes set on popular Parsi dishes like chicken Farcha and mutton Dhansak. Farcha is almost a Parsi version of a fried chicken. Dhansak on the other hand is a dish that combines brown rice (brown because of careful caramelization), with a thick mutton or chicken gravy and served with Kebab made of either chicken or mutton. (Not sure if the Kebab is a feature of a traditional Dhansak dish or just an addition by Jimmy Boy!)
My mum and I were torn between whether we should try the Dhansak or the Berry Pulao, but the waiter who was taking our order recommended that we try the Berry Pulao as the Dhansak was on the blander side. The beautiful rice dish was a mixtures of rice, gravy, cubes of paneer, vegetables and topped with cashews, caramelized onions and tiny red berries – dried barberries – what gives the dish its name. The small serving size and great flavor, meant that we polished it off in no time.
Jimmy Boy is very famous for its Lagan Nu Custard and we saw a whole new batch come fresh out of the oven. However, we gave it a miss and instead tried another old time favorite – the caramel custard, which was as delicious as it looked.
After my meal I was hoping to chat with the owner Aspy Irani, but he was not around, so guess I will have to go back to catch him another day! But I am not complaining, the Berry Pulao has left a lovely taste in my mouth!
***
Jimmy Boy, Vikas Building, 11, Bank Street, Opp Chetah Gate, Off Horniman Circle, Fort, Mumbai 400023
13 Comments
sam
December 14, 2014 at 1:28 pmAsk Abhi how the dansak and farcha was
Indrani
December 15, 2014 at 6:43 amWow! Mouth watering!
Chaitali Patel
December 15, 2014 at 11:32 amTastes as good as it looks!
Chaitali Patel
December 15, 2014 at 11:33 amHe loved every bit of it he says!
magiceye
December 15, 2014 at 1:44 pmA delicious experience indeed!
Sabyasachi Patra
December 17, 2014 at 11:13 amI have tried dhansak. Noted this dish. Will try sometime. The images make me crave for food.
Chaitali Patel
December 19, 2014 at 3:02 amMridula
January 5, 2015 at 3:54 pmYour post reminds me that I should get up and have dinner! Only it will not be this delicious.
Chaitali Patel
January 6, 2015 at 9:53 amNisha
January 11, 2015 at 6:04 pmYour post makes me feel I haven't seen the city yet.
And the pictures make me so hungry!
Param
January 31, 2015 at 2:00 pmJimmy Boy is awesome! I make it a point to have lunch there every time I am around Fort. Well, almost every time. Pity they do not serve dinner.
Joyful
March 21, 2015 at 10:07 pmI absolutely love that first photo overlooking the street. It is such a pretty sight. The inside of the restaurant looks very comfortable too and looks like the food is delicious. I don't know if I will ever get to Mumbai but it is someplace I would like to travel. I just don't know about all the crowds and heat. I try to avoid both in my travels. Such a pity because it leaves out so many awesome places.
Chaitali Patel
March 25, 2015 at 11:32 amThanks Joyful! You should come to Mumbai… the heat and crowds are worth braving. December to February its pretty pleasant in the city. If crowds bother you, you can avoid doing anything that involves jostling hoards of people.