Globals, Uberologie, Flaunt, Boga, North Exchange – clothing stores situated at Shastri Nagar (Behind City Mall, New Link Road), Andheri West. Many times I drove through the lane but never visited these stores.

Finally, I decided to visit Uberologie – a clothing store.

Requested the salesman present to show the Collar T-Shirt.

A few Collar T-Shirts were shown, and I selected POLO RALPH LAUREN white-colored Collar T-Shirt.

Original?

Yes – The salesman replied.

How much is the price?

600 rupees only/-.

I tried to bargain, but the salesman said – Fixed Price.

I search Google and the shown results beyond my pocket.

I decided to buy it.

Please show me a few more Collar T-Shirts – I requested.

This time I was shown SCOTCH & SODA Collar T-Shirts.

Without bargaining or Google search, I selected two Collar T-Shirts.

How much is the price?

Rs. 450 only.

Wow! What a fantastic price! – a thought.

Three branded Collar T-Shirts for Rs. 1500/- only. Amount paid.

I was very much happy, but then I questioned the owner – Mr. Naman Gupta.

How come these branded clothes are so cheap?

He enhanced my knowledge as follows:

Manufacturers/Factories receive big orders from branded companies.

Orders are made by manufacturers/factories with overestimations.

A surplus occurs, and these surplus garments are sold by manufacturers/factories to us – the surplus readymade garments retailers/wholesalers at throw-away prices. And we sell to you – The customer at dirt-cheap.

Are these stores also known as export surplus garments stores?

Yes – He said.

My knowledge was enhanced. Thanks to Naman.

I decided, from now-onwards for my tour/journey will buy these surplus readymade garments only. These stores are now one of my favorite places to shop. I definitely recommend that you the readers should visit these surplus readymade garments stores at least once. I am very much sure these surplus readymade garments are not substandard.

Naman suggested that he also sells branded jeans for Rs. 1000 only.

Maybe one day will visit again for sure to buy more – said I.

The journey continues..

An Affordable, Experienced, Freelance Male Massage Therapist was the search because I cannot afford a massage parlour in Mumbai.

When I am too tired, especially after a long motorbike drive or a long tour, I need full-body massage to relax.

Full-Body Massage reduces long journey stress and produces deep relaxation. It’s a natural healing process.

Last 20+ years I am having massage. A few times at Men’s Salon, very rare at Massage Parlour, but to find an affordable, experienced, freelance male massage therapist was not that easy.

Finally, I found Dilip Gopal Ravanang – a certified, knowledgeable, male massage therapist working for the past 10 years at The Classique Club near Infinity Mall, New Link Road, Andheri West, Mumbai.

Dilip’s journey started as an assistant masseur (male massage therapist) at the age of 35 when he joined MIG Cricket Club at Bandra East, Mumbai. Late Praful helped him for a few months to learn massage techniques. Later he did a massage course at Fort, Mumbai and re-joined the MIG Cricket Club as a male massage therapist and worked there for 4 years.

Then he joined Bharat Petroleum at Chembur, but due to long distance travel, he quit the job and joined The Classique Club.

Dilip’s clients were/are national/international cricketers, television and Bollywood actors.

What I found the best about Dilip is his professionalism, punctuality, dedication, focus, honesty and love for his job.

As per my experience, he is the best at Oil Massage, Dry Massage (favourite), Deep Tissue Massage with the mixture of Thai massage.

I believe (as per my experience), a male massager should have strong fingers/thumb/hands palm – a God’s gift. Secondly, he must know body pressure points very well. And Dilip has that natural gift and knowledge as well.

In general, if the nose is blocked and I am in deep sleep during the massage, I believe I am having the best massage.

Dilip massage removes my body pain, releases muscle tension and increases flexibility for sure. I find his massage techniques proper. A few times I have to request him for light pressure as his pressures are intense.

It is important to request a masseur to reduce the pressure if one is experiencing pain or uncomfortable. A good massage therapist will listen to you.

Dilip charges are Rs. 500 only for an hour full-body massage as a freelance massage therapist having 15 years of experience.

There are three ways to have Dilip services:

1. If you are The Classique Club member.
2. If you are a guest of The Classique Club member (Rs. 1000 – the charges).
3. If Dilip agrees to provide his freelance massage therapy on his weekly holiday.

I suggest that before having a full-body massage one should consult a doctor if having any health issue/s. The journey continues..

This photo was taken at Mi Marathi restaurant situated at Shop No. 5, Alpha Apartment, Parleshwar Road, Vile Parle (East), Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Thalipeeth is also known as Bhajani Thalipeeth or Dahi Dhapathe – knowledge enhanced by Tukaram – my dear Marathi friend.

The cost of Thalipeeth (2 pieces) served with white butter and curd at Mi Marathi restaurant is Rs. 80 only/-.

Mi Marathi (30 years old vegetarian Marathi restaurant) timings: 9 am to 11 am for breakfast / 11 am till 3 pm for lunch / 7 pm to 10 pm for dinner. (All days open).

Unlock 2021, and it is time to re-start the journey.

The very first requirement is inner comfort, and it starts with what I wear/carry during the journey.

Brief and Vest – men’s innerwear – The answer and in today’s time – search online.

VAN HEUSEN, JOCKEY, Calvin Klein, adidas, Rupa, Dollar, VIP, Amazon, Flipkart – The results.

All of them having their own online store, but the requirement was urgent, I preferred to visit the shop.

Neel Kamal is my favourite shop since ages situated opposite police station, Andheri East, Mumbai.

Rupa (today the largest knitwear brand in India) was my favourite Brief and Vest brand since my teenage.

But now-a-days, Macho is the brand I prefer the most, or I can say easily available at my preferred shop.

As per previous experience, Macho is comfortable/durable/not expensive/100% premium cotton.

This time I purchased 3 Macho Brief and 3 Macho Vest.

And how much I paid – Rs. 738 only/- ($10 approx.)

Macho Stylo Brief – Rs. 112 per Brief and Macho Metro Vest – Rs. 134 per Vest.

The colors for the Brief, I prefer – black, dark blue, dark brown but for the Vest, I prefer – White.

Black and White is one of my favourite colors. I can’t imagine wearing clothes without innerwear.

Anyway, the most essential requirement before the journey is done. I am ready for the journey. The journey continues..

Usha Hotel, Chimbai Road, Bandra (West) was the search. Google Maps Directions on mobile helped to reach the destination.

I was driving via Linking Road, following Turner road till I saw Chimbai road written at the entrance of the left-hand side lane.

A few meters straight inside Chimbai road – Usha Hotel on the right-hand side. Little further, almost opposite – Our Lady of Velankanni Statue (right-hand side), I saw a crowd outside a shop (left-hand side) in a queue.

I parked the motorbike and joined the queue.

Parking is an issue as the lane is narrow. Better to park a little before Usha Hotel.

As there was no display board mentioning the shop name, I inquired with a person in the queue – What’s the name of the shop?

Gajanan Puri Bhaji – He said.

I saw mostly ladies busy deep frying puri and a man serving hot puri with aloo bhaji.

Within minutes, and I requested the person present inside the shop – How much for puri bhaji?

Rs. 10 – 7 puri or Rs. 20 – 14 puri with aloo bhaji.

I requested for Rs. 10 puri bhaji. Amount paid.

Are you Gajanan?

Yes, he said.

How old is your Puri Bhaji shop? – I question.

When there was no puri bhaji shop since then I am here. Earlier, my mother used to run the shop.

7 hot puri with aloo bhaji was served. Aloo Bhaji was a little spicy (carry a water bottle). The total taste – almost homemade.

I requested for one more Rs. 10 puri bhaji. And the talks with the very friendly – Gajanan about his shop.

The shop opening time is 7 am till 11 am only. We also sell Poha, but it is finished now. You have to come early. In 2002 an article was published in a newspaper about the shop. At that time, Vada Pav cost was merely Rs. 2.50.

Thank you – said I. Will visit again someday.

Next day, I thought of visiting Chimbai Road again to have breakfast/snacks but at some other puri bhaji shop.

There are 3 puri bhaji shops at Chimbai road. All on the left-hand side.

This time I visited Savita Chimbaikar’s Puri Bhaji shop opposite Usha Hotel.

Savita sells various popular Maharashtrian breakfast/snacks such as Puri Bhaji, Upma, Poha, Sabudana Vada, Aloo Paratha.

I requested for Aloo Paratha. Within minutes, it was served hot. And the taste – again, almost homemade and less spicy.

How much for Aloo Paratha?

Rs. 15/- only.

After finishing Aloo Paratha, I requested for Poha.

How much for Poha – I question.

Rs. 10 and Rs. 15 – Savita replied.

Rs. 10 Poha please.

Within minutes it was served.

Again, less spicy and almost homemade.

Savita requested to taste Sabudana Vada.

How much for Sabudana Vada?

4 for Rs. 15.

I never had Sabudana Vada before. I requested for one only.

It was served hot and the taste – too good. Very crispy. Favourite now-onwards.

What’s the price for Puri Bhaji? – I question while having Sabudana Vada.

12 Puri Bhaji for Rs. 15 only.

That is so cheap – said I.

Mostly puri bhaji shops are running from 7 am till 11 am. So what do you do after 11 am? – I question Savita.

We also run a vegetarian tiffin service.

How much does vegetarian tiffin cost?

Rs. 80 – She replied.

Total – Rs. 28 I paid.

Rs. 15 for Aloo Paratha, Rs. 10 for Poha and Rs. 3 for Sabudana Vada.

Yesterday breakfast – Rs. 20 for 14 puri bhaji and today – Rs. 28 only.

Unbelievable cheap and hot, almost homemade breakfast straight from the kitchen and, the most importantly – prepared by ladies.

Before leaving, I question Savita – This road’s name is Chimbai road, and you are Chimbaikar. Any relation/reason?

A person was present there. He enhanced knowledge.

Chimbai is the village name, and people living here are mostly Kolis – one of the oldest fishing communities of Mumbai, and their surname is Chimbaikar.

Thank you – said I. Knowledge enhanced.

Thank you, Savita. The breakfast/snacks were very nice. I will surely visit again someday – said I.

If you the readers visiting/in-around Bandra during morning hours and feeling hungry, for a quick hot, almost homemade Maharashtrian breakfast/snacks, please visit Chimbai village.

It is the most unbelievable Maharashtrian breakfast/snacks I had in Mumbai till date. The journey continues..

I was searching Marathi Food Restaurants in Mumbai or Best Maharashtrian Restaurants in Mumbai, and the very first result shown by Google was Mi Marathi with more than 3,000 Google reviews.

I decided to visit. It is on Google Maps.

Mi Marathi is situated at Shop No. 5, Alpha Apartment, Parleshwar Rd, Vile Parle East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400057.

As I entered the restaurant, I saw two types of sitting arrangements. One is a non-air-conditioned and other one is air-conditioned. Not fully packed, maybe because it was a weekday. I went straight into the air-conditioned hall.

Menu was already on the table written in the Marathi language, but do not worry as waiters are ready to guide you.

I was hungry. I read – आमटी भात (Amti Bhat).

भात is rice – I can guess.

I also want something to drink.

I placed the order along with कोकम सरबत (Kokum Sharbat) – another favourite chilled drink mostly available in coastal regions of India.

Within minutes, आमटी भात (Amti Bhat) was served hot.

आमटी is तुअर दाल i.e., Pigeon Pea.

How was it?

As similar as rice, dal we normally have in any Indian home.

I was hungry a lot. I requested the waiter to suggest what should I eat next?

Thalipeeth – He suggested.

OK – said I with one more chilled glass of कोकम सरबत (Kokum Sharbat).

Within minutes, Thalipeeth was served hot with a spoon of white butter and curd.

That’s nice – a thought. I love white butter.

The very first bite of Thalipeeth and I said – Wow. Delicious. Never had before.

Upon query, the waiter enhanced knowledge about Thalipeeth.

It is made from multi-grain flour and onion.

I was very happy, especially because I love traditional food, which is rare to find these days.

After Thalipeeth with white butter I requested for स्पेशल चहा (Special Tea).

To be honest, स्पेशल चहा (Special Tea) was Okay but the most favourite was Thalipeeth.

I requested to present the bill and was surprised – Rs. 287 only/- including CGST and SGST.

Thalipeeth – Rs. 80, स्पेशल चहा – Rs. 38, 2 glasses of कोकम सरबत (Kokum Sharbat) – Rs. 70 and आमटी भात – Rs. 85/- only.

Thalipeeth is now one of my favourite traditional Marathi food. And I wish to visit Mi Marathi restaurant again.

I requested one of my friends – Tukaram to join me on Sunday to visit Mi Marathi restaurant that serves one of the delicious Thalipeeth I ever had.

He accepted the request, and on Sunday we were again at Mi Marathi restaurant to have one of the best Thalipeeth.

On Sunday, the restaurant was almost full.

Again we entered the air-conditioned hall and requested for Thalipeeth and chilled कोकम सरबत (Kokum Sharbat).

This time they took little time to serve it but when it was served – it was hot and crispy with a spoon full of white butter.

While having Thalipeeth, I shared a thought with Tukaram and that was – Thalipeeth can also be served with Pure Ghee.

He agreed. Tukaram said – Thalipeeth is usually the best during the winter season.

Yep – I agree.

We finished Thalipeeth but there was a desire to have one more plate of Thalipeeth. What say – Tukaram?

And I placed the order.

This time we shared Thalipeeth. Total – 3 plates of Thalipeeth we had as it was one of the best traditional Marathi dishes.

And the request for bill.

Rs. 326/- only including CGST and SGST for two people. You can easily say – it is one of the budget restaurants in Mumbai Suburban.

3 plates of Thalipeeth – Rs. 240/- and 2 Kokam Sharbat – Rs. 70/-.

Mi Marathi is a 30 years old vegetarian Marathi restaurant open from 9 am to 11 am for breakfast, 11 am till 3 pm for lunch and 7 pm to 10 pm for dinner (All days open).

I remember, Tukaram suggested to try वांग्याचे भरीत (Vangyache Bharit) someday. It is a must try Marathi dish. He also enhanced knowledge that Thalipeeth is also known as Bhajani Che Thalipeeth and Dahi Dhapathe.

Fantastic – knowledge enhanced.

Mi Marathi restaurant is also known as New Mi Marathi. Don’t be confused.

In short, if you like traditional authentic Marathi food, then please visit Mi Marathi restaurant at Vile Parle (East) in Mumbai Suburban. The rates are very reasonable, and the food is almost like homemade.

It is a few minutes walking distance from Vile Parle (East) railway station situated almost opposite Parleshwar temple.

There is no toilet inside the restaurant, but you can use the building toilet which is behind the restaurant.

The staff is well-behaved and mostly Marathi if I am correct.

There is ample space for parking, especially for two-wheelers.

Mi Marathi restaurant does not accept card payment. Why? I don’t know.

Mi Marathi restaurant is equally as good as Aaswad – Marathi restaurant at Dadar in Mumbai, I visited in the year 2020. Both restaurants having a reasonably priced menu. And not to forget – They also serve fasting dishes. The journey continues..

Numerous times I have crossed Vile Parle (West) and saw crowd, mostly college-goers outside a stall but was not aware that it is Anand Dosa and Vada Pav Stall – one of the most famous stalls located opposite of Mithibai College.

Finally, Unlock 2021 in Maharashtra, and I decided to visit.

It was raining, but still there was a rush of people and parked vehicles outside the stall.

The very first eye-contact was with a menu-card proudly stating – Best Vada Pav by Bombay Times.

What to request? Because there were so many types of Vada Pav written on the menu pamphlet.

Decided. I will request for Schezwan Cheese Grill Vada Pav.

The price? – Rs. 70.

Little costly – a thought because, as per my personal experience, usually Vada Pav in Mumbai you will have for maximum Rs. 25 only.

I remember, at Ashok Vada Pav (very popular in Mumbai) near Kirti College, Dadar, close to Shree Siddhivinayak temple, I paid Rs. 25 only for a Vada Pav, and it was fresh, hot and excellent in taste.

Anand Stall also serves Butter Vada Pav for Rs. 25/-. only but the one I have requested is different from the normal one.

10 minutes, approx. waiting time and finally Schezwan Cheese Grill Vada Pav was served. Hot with butter on top. Very crispy, very tasty and not spicy. Recommended for sure, but yes, the costliest Vada Pav I ever had in Mumbai till-date.

As I was hungry, I decided to have – Veg. Cheese Grill Sandwich too. The cost again for me is costly for sure – Rs. 170/- but at the same time, when it was served, I saw, it is 3 slices of bread cut into 12 pieces, filled with boiled potato, onion, tomato, capsicum and butter, coriander groundnut chutney, cheese and chat masala.

Stomach full. Quite heavy. A good meal. I was unable to finish it. Good for 2 people. Requested to parcel it. Great value for the price.

Next day, again the wish was to re-visit Anand Stall to try other different Vada Pav available. This time I requested for Mayo Cheese Schezwan Grill Vada Pav. And the cost – Rs. 80/-.

The taste? I don’t like Mayo (Mayonnaise) because of its sour taste so I will say – Ok Ok.

Anyway, in short, Anand Stall serves freshly cooked, hot, less spicy fast food.

If you are searching for mouth-watering, lip-smacking street food, this stall is for you.

Anand Stall open from 8 am till 12 in the night. 7 days open.

Vile Parle is the nearest local train station. 10 minutes walking and you are at Anand Stall.

You will be amazed to know that Anand Stall is more than 40 years old stall.

It serves 65 types of Dosas, 10 types of Uthappam, more than 30 types of Sandwiches, 13 types of Vada Pav, 42 types of Frankie – all under one-roof. Amazing, isn’t it?

BBC Hindi considers Anand Stall to be one of the best street food loved by celebrities.

Awarded first runner-up in the best Vada Pav category by Bombay Times in 2008.

The Guardian News rates Anand Stall as one of the 10 best street foods in Mumbai.

Anand Stall is also at Vile Parle (East) near Hanuman road. Maybe someday I will visit for sure.

And not to forget, the staff is very polite and hard-working, which I like the most. The journey continues..