With a mission to stock unusual, modern and healthy variations of the "curvaceous" Maharashtrian dessert, Modak, this Bandra store has whipped up 50 different Modak concoctions for the 10-day festival. Here's why we think even lord Ganesha will appreciate change
Sweet Escape
Bhairavi Jhaveri
bhairavi.jhaveri@mid-day.com
Old school sweet marts struggling to keep up with the modern day chocolate obsession, may have just found the trick to "fit in". Mix the traditional recipe with a little bit of chocolate, some exotic fruit like cranberry, and create multiple permutations-combinations with dry fruits and other fresh fruits. And, voila, you have a delicious looking window of fancy, dolled up mithais, appealing enough to a 25-year-old American-returned too. But, Alkesh Dedhia of 5-year-old Regal Plus, a Bandra-based dry fruit-sweets-namkeen store has beaten other stores to the punch. Dedhia spends a good amount of time "brainstorming" over these recipes every year, and "The latest addition this year is the Cranberry Modak," he says. Getting 40 winks will be challenge during these 10 days, he believes, adding that they sell close to 1,200 kilos of Modaks daily, during festival time, and by the end of the day the last of customers are forced to pick up only whatever is left. "Everything is wiped clean," says Dedhia proudly, who also runs another branch at Shivaji Park, which turns 32 this year.
Chocolate and more: The range includes Chocolate, Choc-Marble, Choc-Mango, Choc-Strawberry, Orange-Chocolate, Cranberry, Roasted Almond, Black Currant, Gulkand, Disco â Rose + Malai + Kesar, Pista Malai, Kesar Mango, Coffee Walnut, Anjeer Walnut, Motichur, Praline Chocolate, Coconut Badam, among other varieties. "These are sourced from various people across the city, because one person cannot meet our quantity demands," explains Alkesh.
For the health conscious: The sugar-free Cranberry, Khajur and Anjeer modaks are for those who want to dodge the bulge while continuing to binge during this festive time.
Tradition not forgotten: Under the barrage of modern mixes, the store doesn't forget about the real, traditional modak variety â steamed and stark white in colour, popularly known as Ukadi Modaks. Dry fruit, mawa, and plain kaju, pista, and badam varieties are also available.
Meet the Modak mongrels: Besides hip Bandra moms, Bips, Sallu, Ratna Pathak-Shah, Mandira Bedi, and Narayan Rane, are Regal Plus' regular clientele during Ganesh Chaturthi.
Plus: The store also couriers Modak packages abroad, to the US and the UK, payments for which can be made via credit cards.
Price range: Rs 45 to Rs 720
