VERVEMAGAZINE.IN 133“I’ve never found home to be a physical place. More than identifying
what it is, for me, it’s about finding home wherever I am.
Everywhere I go, I discover home in the people that
I meet and the food that I eat. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
“I miss how late everything is open till in New
York. Mumbai is supposed to be the city that
never sleeps, but most places close by 1. 30 a.m.
One of my fondest memories of New York is
when I stumbled upon one of the best ramen
bowls I’ve ever had, at 3 a.m., at this hole in
the wall that I’ve never been able to locate after
that visit – although I think it was in a basement
on 55th Street in Manhattan. There were no tables,
so I grabbed a seat with a group of girls and
we ended up discussing actor Sara Canning’s
popular TV shows!”“I love making regular trips to the fruit
market in Matunga. I also visit the bigger
markets in South Mumbai to check out the
fruits available during a particular season
or note down the best times to find good
produce like fresh lychees and mangoes. In
places like New York, fruits are perennially
available, but they are never as fresh and
vibrant as the local fruits in Mumbai.”PRATEEK BAKHTIANI, PASTRY CHEFNew York—> Mumbai