Snacking with Monaz at Busago

Check the slideshow above Tibetan Momos, Burmese Kaukswe and Banh Mi (sandwiches) are some items you cannot miss having at Busago in Bandra. The cute, chirpy and vivacious Monaz Mevawala likes food but is careful about calories, loves cooking and can churn out a delicious Honey Molasses Chicken, not only makes perfectly round and fluffy rotis but can also bake yummy chocolate cakes and brownies. And yes, she is a sandwich person and ideal for trying out Banh Mi - the newly launched sandwiches at Chef Nikhil Chib’s restaurant Busago. A fusion of French baguette and Italian panini, the flavours and ingredients are strangely Asian. The bread came as fresh as it could be, baked in olive oil, steeped in Chef Nikhil’s signature home-made chili mayonnaise and stuffed with an assortment of meats and veggies. While chewing on the sandwiches, Monaz who was last seen on TV serials like Jai Jag Janani Ma Durga on Colors, Ardhangani on Zee TV and Jhilmil Sitaaron ka Aangan Hoga on Sahara One, reveals she has not signed any new project at present. The papa’s girl who says her dad is thoroughly a daughter’s papa because he makes sure to call her up regularly to check if she is safe, tells me, “I have told him not to keep calling me today.” How sweet! Freshly squeezed juices are as sweet as they come without any sugar added to them. Monaz enjoyed her Great Hydrator, a luscious mixture of pineapple, watermelon, apple and pomegranate. My smoothie of kiwi, pineapple, banana, strawberry combined with a dash of honey, yoghurt and mint leaf is aptly called 100% All There. Busago’s special khimchi (sweet pickled carrots, cucumber, cilantro, garlic and onion) makes for interesting filling as we discover. And the trick as Monaz found out was having them with Spicy – Chib’s green/ red/sweet chili sauces. As this perky girl suffers from air and motion sickness, it limits her love for travel. Besides JDJ, she would also like to participate in Nach Baliye, “Once I find my baliye, that is,” she muses. She is a driving freak as she puts it, “I enjoy driving cars and drive like a man.” Few know that she is a trained dancer and was a dance instructor with Shiamak Davar’s dancing institute. Anytime Any Place (Veg sandwich) – green chutney, tomato chutney, jalapenos and pickled greens and One Love Sandwich comprising wok tossed mushroom, roasted yellow and red pepper, grilled aubergine, caramelized onions, mozzarella, chili mayo, tomato pesto and pickled greens are relished by the actor who feels sandwich is a comfort food. Other specialty sandwiches include Pali Naka Special – teriyaki chicken, roasted yellow and red pepper, chili mayo, Asian pesto, pickled greens. There are a lot of gripping stories of angels and paranormal activities which the Parsi actor encounters all the time. Here is an interesting paranormal anecdote from Monaz, “I had a black Doberman pet named Caesar which died of heart attack 8 years ago, till which time it used to sleep in its crib next to my bed. After he died I made it a point to have his crib tucked underneath my bed. One day my mom took out his crib and left it for airing in the terrace and forgot to put it back. That night I could hear some heavy breathing, gasping and pawing in my room. When I looked under my bed, the crib was not there.” The next day she had it back and even today she can spot images of a black object moving in the vicinity and she says it is her Caesar. It was getting eerie for me and to think she had to drive down to Andheri, I went ahead and ordered the sweet finale of Banofee-in-a-cup which is a classic banana toffee pie served in a cup, topped with fresh cream…caramelised toffee and banana with a pastry base was something that took Monaz by surprise and she simply loved this English dessert. A sweet ending for a sweeter Monaz! Rapid Fire Qs with Monaz Fave cuisine…. Punjabi. Junk food… Pizza. Sweet dish… Boondi Ladoo and Kaju Katli. Your pet peeve.. Disrespect for women. A cheesy pick-up line you encountered… Was there an earthquake or did you rock my world? A rumour about you… That I have got married….which had my directors and producers congratulating me. A reality show you would like to take part in… Jhalak Dikkhla Jaa, Comedy Nights with Kapil (which I think Monaz has a natural flair for, as in comedy). A die hard habit… Gymming. A habit you wish to kick… Getting up late in the morning. A shopoholic? Not exactly. I am very careful with my clothes. Fitness mantra… Drink lots of water. Stressbuster… Dancing. Your idea of fun… Good company, great food and music. One thing few people know about you… That I used to be a dance instructor with Shiamak Davar’s dance academy.