Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

The crisp corner

On a nostalgia trip, Rahul Verma rediscovers his favourite chholey-bhaturey in Connaught Place

THE CHARM PERSISTS The Chholey Bhaturey Corner hasn't lost out on quality across generations Photo: V.V. Krishnan

I am not quite sure when I first went to the municipal market near the Super Bazaar in Connaught Place, but it was possibly when I was 10 and was escorted to an optician there for my first pair of glasses. I had problems seeing stars in the sky, so my astute parents decided that I needed to see an eye doctor. I still have problems seeing stars in the sky, but that, I am told, is because of suspended particles in the air. More about that on another occasion.

Glasses are meant to be broken - especially when you are a somewhat active young boy. So I made quite a few trips to the municipal market over the years. And somewhere down the line, I bumped into an old man - he may not have been old then, but I was pretty young - who sold the most delicious chholey-bhaturey. He had a small stall there and I would, as I grew older, stop by now and then and eat his spicy chholey and somewhat greasy but tasty bhaturey.

I had forgotten about this place, till my food guru - known aptly as Guruji - reminded me of it some days ago. Have you been there lately, he asked, and when I replied in the negative, he urged me to go there again.

And since I take Guruji's views rather seriously, I landed up there last week. This market is in a small lane right next to Super Bazaar, adjoining Shankar Market. If you are standing in front of Super Bazaar, facing it, it's to your right. Go down the lane, and you'll find the Special Chholey Bhaturey Corner, as it's called, at the very end.

The old man wasn't there, but his son, Vicky, was very much in control, doling out plates of chholey-bhaturey at the very spot where the old man used to sell his stuff in sal-leaf donas. The young man with a gold chain around his neck told me that his father was at home, and then handed over to me a plate of his famous chholey-bhaturey.

Green chutney

The chholey came with a dollop of green chutney, with a green chilli pickle and a sour mango pickle on the side. The bhatureys were stuffed with paneer, giving the crispy bread a soft touch. One plate, consisting of a good helping of chholey and two hot bhaturey, comes for Rs.14.

Over the years, the shop has expanded. In one corner, Vicky sells a thali with rajmah chawal, kadhi, papad and the works. I was on a nostalgic trip, so didn't try that out. But I will, one of these days.

Vicky, clearly, is doing well. He has a visiting card , which says: Please book your party order in advance. I am happy for him and the old man. For them, let there be stars in the sky.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail