Mumbai Food: Eat a sumptuous Mangalorean meal near Thane station

Two years ago when Kistu Fernandes a former news photographer with a broadsheet started recceeing for locations to set up a Mangalorean eatery he had a simple requirement the spot had to be near Thane Railway Station Honestly that was the toughest part he recalls While there are tons of Malwani food joints in the vicinity there wasnt a single restaurant selling Mangalorean cuisineThe ones present are at a considerable distance adds Fernandes who incidentally hails from Malwan but is a selfprofessed Mangalorean food junkie Now after a long hunt he can finally heave a sigh of reliefThe prawn curry rice plate is priced at Rs 249Shoutout to a classic recipeStanding cheekbyjowl with a juice stall next to the Railway Police Station is the Fish Curry Canteen the 49yearolds new venture With freshly painted white walls and a handscribbled menu on the white board the place beckons with the wafting aroma of fried fish The interiors are minimalistic with canteenlike seating Theres an outdoor area but that is yet to be utilisedCurious locals begin to saunter in for a meal by noon The menu is restricted to a single page and contains four items For Rs 99 you get Mangalorean style coconut fish curry a fried fish mackeral or mandeli rice appalam papad For Rs 149 a fleshy surmai is added to the platter and for Rs 189 theres mackeral and a surmai along with rice salad and appalam If youre willing to shell out Rs 249 theres also the special prawn curry rice plate The fish on the menu depends on the catch of the day Our growling tummy opts for the last option which arrives in less than ten minutesThe portions are generous tailored to satiate somebody from a khata peeta khandaan The fish fried with the lightest of the semolina coating is crispy and fresh But for us the gravy is the hero With the occasional hint of asafoetida its mildly spiced sumptuous and has all the elements of homecooked gassi Its actually a 100yearold recipe that a friends grandmother would prepare I remember being bowled over by the taste the first time I had it he says The friend he adds was generous enough to part with the recipe But replicating the magic was a task that Fernandes and his team of cooks attempted with rigour Trials were held every day It went on for months Its only when we felt we had perfected it that we went ahead with the launch he saysBarely a month old the place is already witnessing traffic mostly from call centre employees rushing to their jobs We wanted to keep it simple and affordable because the area demands it The idea was festering inside him even while he was working as a photographer When I would go for food shoots Id observe how they would plate and present it I knew some day the knowledge will be put to useAt the restaurant he has deliberately avoided pomfret because that would only the up the cost of the meal But other varieties like shark mori and prawns are offered depending on the days catch available at Crawford MarketBefore leaving we are compelled to ask Fernandes the reason for not summing up the prices to a round figure Actually 9 is my lucky number Even my birthday falls on December 9 he smilesCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates