VESAVE

The name Versova came from 'Vesave', meaning 'rest' in Marathi, because the fishing village was where Shivaji's navy recuperated mid-battle. The staple diet then was fish. Today post the ongoing population explosion in and around Mumbai city, has sprung residence complexes, BPOs, software companies, studios and a restaurant multiplicity that would put French thinker Anthelme Brillat-Savarin who boasted, "Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are" in a bit of a fix. Versova isn't Bandra or Juhu. But it's housing of film and TV stars, sea-side location (though the beach is too rocky to set up a eatery in) and less congested, cleaner roadways flings it a notch above other suburban areas on the living in – and eating out – class-o-meter. So here's biting into what Chinese, Thai, Continental, South Indian, Punjabi and Keral chow shops are serving clients from Andheri, Goregaon, Malad… Bandra, Juhu… and expats from around the world.



THE YOUNG AND THE RECKLESS

Pop Tates and Rolling Beans dole out manna for the suburban yuppie. Both restaurants use bright colours, TV screens, rock music and continental cuisine to attract a crowd that's in Pop Tates' manager's words "young at heart. While Pop Tates serves up beers and cocktails amidst cartoon wall hangings that look like Archie and Manga had offspring Rolling Beans is a strictly coffee place. Though while using coffee as it's main draw, the latter scores over the Barista and Café Coffee Day next door by virtue of serving pastas, grills, steaks and other continental main courses. Pop Tate's food range goes much wider – including Mexican and Chinese appetizers, Noodles, Pizzas and Burgers as well. It's main draw, however is its sizzlers. While Pop Tates, started as a hang out joint eight years ago, now commands upto a 20 minute waiting during meal times, Rolling Beans started a year and a half back, has customers filing in and out around the clock…



THE SPECIALISTS

Rice Boat, Mista Paaji and Legacy Of China stick almost religiously to their declared genres. The décor for each too, stays subtle, classy and cool to target upper middle and upper class clientele. Rice Boat serving "gourmet cuisine from God's own county" goes to the extent of having waiters from Kerala only, who can understand the food, and explain it to customers. Though a self dubbed seafood joint, Rice Boat's menu is savoured by many a vegetarian as well. Popular items include Tandoori Crab, Paneer Olarthiyathu, Konju (prawn) Roast Curry, Mutta (mutton) Naadan Curry and Pachchakari Ishtu (vegetables in coconut curry). While Rice Boat re-located from Bandra to provide space for more customers, Mista Paaji was opened as an extension, by the group who own Bandra's Papa Panchos. Hence featuring the same "authentic Punjabi food" with various chaats, dals, curries, parathas and kababs. Patronized by family crowd, frequent demands are tandoori chicken, Naram Dil Kofta Curry (tomato gravy), Dhaba Mutton and the lassis – flavoured and plain. Legacy Of China lets its specialization spill over from Chinese to float Malaysian and Thai fare. Amidst giant red lanterns and mirrored walls, the best dishes, they tout, are their signatures: Thai Garlic Prawns, Mapo Tofu, Roasted Chicken In Yellow Bean Sauce and Chicken Americhine Fried Rice are some.



MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER



Racial intermingling often throws up mixed breed, unaware of pedigree. And thence you have China Suburb 1, which serves you fish koliwada and Murgh Makhani and Konkaan Ruchie which offers Manchow Soup and Chicken Dragon Rolls. There's also Seasons, Landmark, Rice Bowl, Sea Shell, Seven Hills… and many others, who declare in their menu a mixed cuisine of Chinese, Thai, South Indian, Moghlai, and Malvani. These restaurants often occupy small areas, done up with half-baked décor schemes and price their items at anywhere between 5 to 25 % lower than the above mentioned. Their basic yet diverse spread doesn't promise quality. But they survive on delivering to buildings close by and catering to middle class customers who don't want to dig too deep for week-end meals. They are the poor man's globalization. And yes, the ones serving Maharashtrian coastal fare are bang on there – their 'expert cooks' are an arm's throw away at the Koli village.



COUNTRY COUSINS

With it's audition studios, Versova is becoming an entertainment industry paradox like Juhu, flaunting at it's two ends the struggler and the star. Both of these species need refreshment. They sometimes they seek it at the same place. So coffee places are packed by those ordering hazel nut cappuccinos and chocolate deserts… and those stalking one table for hours stirring a single espresso cup. Or take Blue Kitchen. A dhaba next to Rolling Beans and Rice Boat, it's open kitchen serves reasonably priced Punjabi food – renowned for the quantity of it's portions. A hit for office staff during lunch hours, it too subscribes to this paradox. One struggler here was heard to say to another during his meal: "Agar role mila, to saala Legacy Of China Mein Khayenge… the day I get my cheque!" Meanwhile the owner tells us: "Sunny and Bobby Deol have eaten here. Because unlike other restaurants with so much sho sha, we provide good Punjabi food – which almost seems like it's homemade."