"Kaapi" on a languid Sunday

There is nothing more beautiful than starting your Sunday with the divine aroma emanating from freshly ground coffee beans wafting in air and freshly cooked, South Indian, vegetarian breakfast served on your table. Breakfast for me, is THE MOST important and elaborate meal of the day and unless I relish my "king size" breakfast spread, it is impossible to be awake for the day and get back to my spirits. 

Yesterday, for a change when I did not have to answer the most irritating question that starts my every single day, "what do we have for breakfast?" I knew there was some surprise in store. (Imagine waking up to the beautiful, quiet morning and just when you are thanking Almighty for the new day, the people around give you that typical look as if they are on verge of collapse if not served food immediately and you realize God must wait and helplessly disappear in labyrinth of demands and never ending duties!) Once in a while hubby earns brownie points with lovely surprises that calm my fraying nerves. He knows my weakness for a GOOD coffee and nothing can beat the filter coffee on a languid Sunday morning!  

Yesterday, we went to one of our favourite no frills, Udupi restaurants, Madras café at Matunga circle braving the frenzied traffic and like always, absolutely loved the experience!

There are a very few places left in Bombay that have survived onslaught of fast changing eating habits and tastes. Madras café is one of those places that are testimony to the fact that South Indians once ruled Matunga. The variety, quality and consistency of the food here is absolutely delectable but to enjoy that one must be willing to wait in long queue that consists of an interesting mix of morning walkers, joggers, known names from theatre, advertising and corporate world of the city. 

For me, the "kaapi" at Madras café is un-disputedly, the best filter coffee in Bomabay! The elaborate ritual of drinking the quintessential kaapi requires one to pour the coffee from one steel container to another till the sugar dissolves, leaving a frothy layer on top and relishing every sip without worrying about well heeled patrons waiting patiently outside the restaurant is quite an experience! 

With the core ethnicity of most Udupi restaurants wearing away with fast pace each passing day, the experience of watching life here makes you want to hold on to what is still left. There are ample enduring images of life when one looks around and sees waiters working for years with trademark napkins around their shoulders and tiny pencils behind their ears, hurriedly serving your order and before you even thank them, they disappear leaving you completely amazed!

There is something phenomenally beautiful about a cup of kaapi at Udupi restaurant. Agreed, it does not have the glitter and glamour of the new coffee shop brands but it still has old world charm that is rare to find in this bulging metropolis! 

The sign board boats its "finest" South Indian coffee

The famous "Upma pudi"

Filter coffee

Ready pickles for sale

Mouth watering snacks

A cultural touch just outside the restaurant, a team of street performers