Mohammed Ali Road, the street that never sleeps

MUMBAI: As the sun sets at Mohammed Ali road in South Mumbai, food lanes are abuzz with gastronomic activities inviting you to feast on a sumptuous spread to break the day-long fast in the Holy month of Ramadan.
       
The eateries on this street that liven up the evenings here during the month of fasting serve food for entire night.
       
The stretch from Bhendi Bazaar to Mohammed Ali Road turns nocturnal in Ramadan and these food lanes, a favourite hang out for food lovers and shoppers, longing to take a break after an exhaustive shopping spree for Ramadan Eid or Eid-Ul-Fitr, caters to the needs of unusual but delicious food.
       
A wide range of mouthwatering non-vegetarian, vegetarian and sweet dishes here tempt connoisseurs of good food to devour a bit extra than their normal appetite.
       
The food served at the eateries of this street provides sustenance for body and succour for the soul after observing a fast from dawn to dusk, says Shaikh Aqeel, a regular here in the month of Ramadan.
       
"I miss out something if I do not turn up here in Ramadan," says localite Ismail Ahmed who frequents the place during Ramadan.
       
Heavy rush of food lovers keep the eatery owners on their toes till dawn of next day.
       
"There is no question of retiring to bed even if you are dead tired. If you go to sleep, you lose a good deal of business," says Abrar Patni, who runs a fast food outlet at Mohammed Ali road.

Abrar, in his thirties, boasts of the dishes served through his window.
 
The speciality of his outlet are 'Chicken 65', chicken tikka, 'Reshmi tikka', 'seekh kabab' Lebanese dish 'Shwarma', 'chicken roll', 'veg fried rice' and much more.
 
'Chicken Lahori', he says is his exclusive and claims to be the only one to serve that.
 
It is not only the Muslims who flock this street after a day of fasting. It is a hot favourite among non-Muslims as well who share their spread with their Muslim brethren.
 
Prachi, a college-going girl, is a regular here during the Ramadan.
 
"I just love to be here. It is nice to see a lot of people busy eating. This place is simply a haven for non-veggies and veggies as well," she says.
 
Sweets have their own importance in every festivity and these lanes play up to the significance very well.
 
Suleman Usman Mithaiwale, a household name in and outside Mumbai, dishes out mouthwatering sweets like 'Firni', 'Malpuwa', 'Burfi', 'Aflatoon', 'Malai Khaja' and 'Shahi Halwa', relished by many 'Rozadars' and sweet gourmets.
 
Also a bite of steamy Malpuva, made up of a mixture of maida, ghee, dry fruits, egg and sugar added with 'malai' gives you the feel of a rich nawab. One Malpuva is enough for a group of three and is specially served during Ramadan at most of the joints in the crowded lanes.

Imran, who is the third generation member in the Suleman Usman clan, says, "we cater one special dish everyday which is never repeated during the entire holy month."
 
'Firni' is all time favourite and Suleman Usman keeping the trend of innovation alive, have come out with some doting flavours in Firni stuffed in a 'kullar' (mud pot).
 
Black current, Strawberry, Mango and Kesar Firni are the specialities at this outlet and are also quiet reasonable rates.
 
A proud descendant of Suleman Usman family, Imran says that their famous "Aflatoon Mithai" has fetched his clan a gold medal and silver sheets.
 
Besides, these sugary dispositions have found admirers in many celebrities.
 
Most of the celebrities from the film world amongst them were yesteryear actor and Sanjay Dutt's mother Nargis Dutt, late Gulshan Kumar, he said.
 
Even today Chashme Baddur-fame Farooq Sheikh makes it a point to visit the busy lane and enjoys 'firni' and also tries his hands at malpuva, Imran said.
 
This 'mohallas' do not differentiate between rich and poor, celebrity and common man. They all rub shoulders and make their way to the roadside makeshift eateries and cherish their bites.