In the second instalment of our series of interviews with Mumbaikars about their experience of living in the city, we spoke to Pooja Dhingra, the chef and owner of the Le15 Patisserie chain. Born and raised in Mumbai, Dhingra, 29, has launched four outlets of the dessert store (two in Lower Parel, one in Bandra and one in Andheri) since 2010. A fifth outpost, which will be a cafe and patisserie, is in the works in south Mumbai. She also runs cooking classes at Studio Fifteen, which she opened in Elphinstone Road in 2013, and published her first cookbook called The Big Book of Treats in 2014. We asked the busy entrepreneur about her favourite Mumbai hangouts, restaurants and activities when she steps out of the kitchen.
Neighbourhood
I grew up in Dadar and live in Prabhadevi. I’m Punjabi but grew up thinking I’m half Maharashtrian/half Punjabi because my father was born and raised in Dadar and Prabhadevi. We speak Marathi at home and our food is almost always Maharashtrian – breakfast is always kanda poha and masala chai. My favourite thing to eat at home is varan bhaat (daal rice) and it’s the only food I missed when I lived abroad (in Switzerland and Paris).
Neighbourhood gems you show off to visitors
There’s not much to see in my neighbourhood. I usually take people to Ashok Vada Pav outside Kirti College. I’ve grown up eating it so it is the best vada pao in the city in my opinion. I live within walking distance from Siddhivinayak Temple.
Neighbourhood haunts you frequent
I went to school in Mahim and Oven Fresh in Shivaji Park is where we spent most of our teenage years. I still stop by when I’m feeling nostalgic. Most of my friends live in Bandra so I spend a lot of my time there. You can find me at Bombay Salad Co. or Salt Water Café. I also spend a lot of time in Phoenix Mills, but let’s just say that’s for work and not shopping/eating/drinking.
When looking for inspiration in Mumbai, you go to
The best part of my day is going for a run/walk to Worli Seaface late in the evening. I’ve been doing it since I was 16. I have one particular spot which is ‘my spot’ and I just sit there for 20 minutes and I find myself inspired and at peace. Another place I love going to is The Retreat House in Bandra for yoga classes with Pradeesh Raj. It’s the only time in the day when my phone is switched off!
For an iconic meal, you take visitors to
For north indian food, it’s almost always Peshawari at the ITC Maratha in Andheri East. That black dal is everything. For south indian, it’s Café Mysore. I love the butter dosa and always order the garlic chutney. Meals must end with filter coffee and don’t forget to buy banana chips on your way out. For seafood, it’s Fresh Catch in Mahim. Their butter garlic prawns and neer dosa are first rate.
Best restaurant in the city
I have too many favourites! My top five are Thai Pavillion, Konkan Café, Yuatacha, The Bombay Canteen and Taste of Kerala.
Best place to get a drink in in the city
Woodside Inn for craft beer or the Negroni Twist.
Are for the Mumbai Kiss (white rum + cardamom + pineapple).
Dome for the whisky sour.
Best place to watch a gig/show in the city
I’m not a big gig person but I love going to Blue Frog for The Other People (they perform on the last Saturday of each month) and their hip hop nights with Dj Sa, which are my absolute favourite. Prithvi Theatre is a great place for shows.
Favourite street food and where you go to get it
Vada pav from Ashok Vada Pav near Kirti College.
Bhel puri from Maharashtra Bhel, next to Janata Bar in Pali Naka.
Misal from Aswad in Dadar.
Falooda from Badshah in Crawford market.
Favourite Bombay book/film/play/musician
Book: Maximum City by Suketu Mehta
Film: Black Friday, Bluffmaster! (2005)
Musician: The Other People
A Mumbai comedian you admire
Rohan Joshi.
Best Mumbai confectioner
Erm….
Favourite Mumbai designer
Masaba Gupta and Nimish Shah.
Best place to tackle late night hunger pangs
Bade Miyan, Mini Punjab (butter chicken roll) and Trattoria. When we’re really desperate we go to Rajput in Shivaji Park and have pao bhaji and Indian chinese.
Best place for breakfast
Suzette, for the Emmental and ham omelet, butter croissant andespresso.
Koolar and Co, for the double omelette pao, bun maska and cutting chai.
Favourite cinema hall in Mumbai
Today I would probably only go to PVR Phoenix Mills to watch a movie. The only exception I make is to watch every Salman Khan movie on the day it releases at Gaitey in Bandra. Their samosas are filled with happy memories and nostalgia. I’ve also been meaning to go to Matterden for French Movie Tuesdays.
The best view of Mumbai is from
My terrace!! The terrace of my building is on the 27th floor and faces the Sea Link. You have a 360 degree view of the city.
Other great views: Hanging Garden (to see the Queen’s Necklace), Dome at sunset and Sea Lounge at The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.
Best place to go shopping for ingredients and kitchen supplies
STEC in Sewri for kitchen supplies and Arife in Crawford Market. Pali Market for my precious avocados.
The word that best describes the city
Bustling.
A local phrase you use frequently
I use ‘yaar’, ‘na’ and ‘hain na’ a LOT.
You know somebody is from this city when…
Their first instinct is to say Bombay and not Mumbai. When ‘town’ means Churchgate/Colaba/Fort.
Mumbai is unlike any other city because…
As someone who was forced to go to Delhi every single summer as a child I realised that Mumbai is unlike any other city because it’s truly a place where you can be yourself. I think the city is strong, magnetic, accepting and full of possibilities.
Who is a son of the soil?
Sachin Tendulkar.