Bharat Dabholkar: I never miss the iftar trail at Minara Masjid every year

Ramzan is reaching its last quarter and this year, after a long gap, the iftar trails in the city are back again. Most people, especially foodies, with their families, friends and colleagues have made a trip to Mohammed Ali Road to enjoy the food there. Adman and theatre director Bharat Dabholkar is someone who makes more than one visit here each year. We caught up with him and had a chat on his must-do foodie experience.Says Bharat, “Every year, it’s a must for me to go to Minara Masjid and I never miss the iftar trail here. I remember during the riots in Mumbai when the entire area was closed with army and police vans on standby and no cars were allowed. I was one of the few guys who went there walking, ate my food there and came back, so I never miss it.”
‘I like to have firnis of different flavours after all the bhuna dishes’

With lit-up stalls selling savouries and sweets and a bustling vibe, this place is much about tradition as it is about good food and Bharat has his faves here. He informs, “I will tell you what I do. I have a food spot that I go to and they know me well there. So, whenever I go, I do not even have to order, they know I’ll have my baida-roti, naan, bhuna mutton and they just bring it for me.” Traditional sweets are just as iconic with the area, with chilled firnis, faloodas as well as delicious, hot malpuas served straight out of the kadhai and it’s part of the iftar trail for many. “Malpua is the most sinful dish you can think of having as it's rich. I just have the bhuna dishes and then I have firnis of different flavours – strawberry, blueberry and mango. Malpuas I just drool over, but avoid eating them,” he says, adding, “Suleman Usman has become my friend over the years. It’s not only during Ramzan that I meet them, but I even attended the wedding at his house, we are that close now. In Ramzan, whenever I go there, they have a small spread of samples of almost everything for me to try. I feel bad that he just does not take money from me, so I have started to go another day when he’s not there and pick up stuff.”
So far, Bharat has done the iftar trail once and plans to go again. He shares, “I will probably try the haleem here, next and I want to also visit Bohri Mohalla.”