Ganesh Restaurant......... Magnificient Fish

Ganesh Restaurant Karol Bagh…… Aka known as Ganesh Machiwala

In April 2010, on a train to BABINA Cantt ( which incidentally is an acronym for  British Army Base in Native Asia , like MHOW is a backronym for Military Headquarters of War and YOL is for your own lines) Dr Sahil Loomba said you aspire to be food writer hmmm , have you been to Ganesh. I said what? Where? He said sounding trifle surprised and irritated, its Ganesh Macchiwala.

I had to go there; I was reminded again in a cavalcade of cars coming from Chandigarh in November 2012, with Kareena Kapoor albeit in another car. Arvind Sachdev on a hungry drive back said we have to go Ganesh Machiwala and Gulu Meatwalla (aka Transport Authority Meatwalla, the erstwhile location). My ears stood up like a Doberman pinscher, aching to be there.

Decided to visit Ganesh (images of Lord Ganesha and pious thoughts and the Macchi, fish…….), then thought what the hell Mumbai as so many Shetty bars and Non Vegitarian restaurants named after, Lakshmi, Mahesh, Vishnu, Sri Krishna. So why act holier than thou in the cow belt.

Saddled up with the lads Sanjay Saini and Abhijeet Singh, first stop the Air Force Golf Club (near The Race course)…….. A few beers and a Bloody Mary………. Admired cars at Ferrari and Jaguar/ Land Rover, dealerships……. Bought outdoor gear, Coleman Cooling Pack and a Camp stool at Trekkers Point In CP. Trekked it to the only smoking bar. Stood at the bar saloon style after a while the Hombres got a table. Tumbled a few whiskies at tea time. Basically, beer,  fast cars, outdoor gear and a smoky bar.

All set and primed for Ganesha, here we come, down Panchkuian road to Karol Bagh , at the crossroads of Gurudwara Road stood unpainted and no named corner restaurant, insignificant. It’s nearly Eight pm and the crowd around is significant. We find a parking slot. We are served magnificently , simple order  ½ Kg fried fish, 4 Egg Pakoras and Seekh Kabab and Roomali Roti.

Magnificient, crisp from outside, soft and flaky Surmai chunks of fantastic Fish. The Egg Pakoras cut in halves again very nice. We are silent and then we have the lamb….. the seekh kabab…… soft succulent not over flavored all brilliant. After a long time we have eaten on a bonnet of a car. Washed down with a Thumbs Up.

Good food great friends and a nip in the air…… Nothing better.

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Look out for Gullu Meatwalla.