Now you don't have to wait for a wedding for a Bohri feast

From starting a meal with a pinch of salt to exploring traditional flavours, Hatimy’s pop-up will showcase Bohri cuisine and traditions
Now you don't have to wait for a wedding for a Bohri feast

The Hatimy’s is a modest 20-seater restaurant snugly tucked along the crowded Mannady Street since 2015. Known for their Bohri Muslim cuisine, the owner Mohamed Patel is now teaming up with his childhood friend Fayaz Salahudeen — owner of the 55-year-old Olympic Cards — to take their offering to bigger tables with their The Bohri Food Festival. Having curated a festive dinner of about a dozen dishes for their upcoming pop-up at Luxer Hotel, Mohamed says, “We want other communities to try our specialities and savour the typical Bohri flavours and traditions.” With signature dishes like Sheer Khurma, kheema na samosa, Shahi Rolls, Tandoori Mutton Chops and Mutton Kaari among others on the thaal, the sit-down community meal promises to be a satiating one and will require at least two, four or six diners at a table to do justice to the spread.


As we prepare to sample a few standout dishes from their menu, we are told that the nearly 10 course meal will begin with a pinch of salt. An amuse-bouche of sorts, it’s a Bohri tradition to cleanse your palate before a feast. Sheer Khurma, a sweet dish will start the feast and continue with kharaas (savoury) dishes that include samosas and Shahi rolls – crumb-coated rolls of mince meat stuffed with gooey melted cheese. Another starter, the crispy chicken could pass for a delightful Indian version of the American fried version – though here the flattened breast pieces are marinated in spices and rolled in thin strips of crunchy pastry.


Their lamb raan quickly takes this spread to a festive league. A main dish, the meaty leg-piece is soaked in cream cheese gravy and is mildly spiced. Meanwhile the traditional mutton kaari is a delicious cashew based gravy with succulent bite-sized meat pieces.


Mohamed tells us, “This dish was introduced into the community’s cuisine by Dawoodi-Bohri families that moved back to India from Myanmar in the early 60s,” adding that his folks have been in the catering line for more than two decades now.


The aromatic kaari with fennel and spices goes well with the jeera pulau which is dotted green with fresh green chillies, mint and coriander bits. While Hatimy’s offers take-away options and delivery, Fayaz tells us that the future will see them coordinating more pop-ups and wedding feasts.

On September 9 & 10 at Luxer Hotel, at Rs 999 per head for dinner only, reservations need to be made in advance. Details: 9789990100 or 9790952531 
 

Related Stories

No stories found.
Indulgexpress
www.indulgexpress.com