The whole idea of an idyllic Sunday is to eat a scrumptious breakfast, a long luncheon, and then take a nap like there's no tomorrow.
When you grow up in a Sindhi household, weekends are sacrosanct, and are reserved for eating, drinking and making merry. The whole idea of an idyllic Sunday is to eat a scrumptious breakfast, a long luncheon, and then take a nap like there’s no tomorrow. And for anyone who’s lived in and around Chembur, Vig Refreshments is where your typical Sindhi weekend breakfast begins.
The place looks rather conspicuous, and you may well miss it when you’re passing by for the first time. Situated in the very heart of Chembur Camp, in the remains of what used to be a refugee area, Sindhi food is alive and well kicking.
Dal pakwaan (Photo: Zomato)
The restaurant itself is no frills, with stiff benches and small tables dotting the tiny hall. The place may well fit about 20 people on a busy day, so don’t be surprised to find a long queue over weekends.
The dal pakwan at Vig Refreshments is something that aficionados from all over Mumbai come to devour. It’s little surprise then that you will almost never find a plate full of the dish after noon on most weekends. And this typical Sindhi dish, made of three types of dal and eaten with crispy puri called pakwan, is exclusively prepared for breakfast. And so, once they run out of it, you have to wait all the way to the next day.
Besides the dal pakwan, the oozing goodness of the chole puri and chole bhature here make for a filling meal. The stuffed kulchas too have patrons singing praises about them. Top it up with a chilled glass of sweet lassi, or a bottle or two of thick chaas, and you are guaranteed to reach straight for the bed to nap it all out.
To finish the delectable meal off, you could reach out for the only sweet dish the place has to offer (it’s no frills, remember?) the seera. Made with dollops of ghee and rava, the North Indian style preparation will send you to sweet heaven. Watch out for the tiny bits of dry fruit, especially the raisins, that work to enhance the taste of the dish.
Anisha Lalwani is a food blogger
