Tea, lassi and me

Vidya Balan goes sip sip with Roshmila Bhattacharya...

Vidya Balan goes sip sip withRoshmila Bhattacharya...

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What do you start the day with ?
A cup of tea.. followed by fruit, mostly papaya, or upma, sometimes even eggs.

And what do you end it with?
After dinner I like to munch on something, mostly a fruit, usually an apple.

On a date what would you like to be wooed with?
A pretty place, a nice Thai meal followed by a fantastic fat free dessert.

What’s your favourite dessert?
I love chocolates but have to stay away from them. I crave for a fat free chocolate dessert.

If you were marooned on an island, what would you want to take along?
A sackful of papayas.

Describe your first culinary experiment?
Disastrous! I rarely enter a kitchen and when I do, no one even wants the tea I make.

What has been your most memorable experiment with food?
When I was in Wai recently, shooting for Ishqiya, I discovered this little joint that served yummy Maharashtrian food. I ordered lunch from there everyday.. the chutney was awesome. I generally prefer ghar ka khana but I’ve been missing those lunches.

When you eat out what do you inevitably order?
Chai.. before and after a meal. I never try Indian food outside my home. Chinese is a big no. So, it’s mostly Japanese or Thai. I love sticky rice and green Thai curry.

Your favourite eating place?
The Thai Pavilion at Hotel President in Mumbai.

A dinner invitation you would never refuse?
I never turn down the opportunity to eat at Basilico in Bandra. I love their mint chai.

Is that your favourite drink?
No, it’s the papaya lassi I had at a German bakery. Exotic!

What do you usually serve guests at home?
Depends on the guests but mostly it’s South Indian fare.. idli, dosa and filter coffee.

As a child is there something you had to have everyday?
I would eat all the time.. anything and everything. Now, it’s a fruit, mostly papaya. I’ve got so many of my co-stars hooked on to it now.

Is there something you absolutely abhor?
I don’t like eggs.

A roadside favourite?
Bhelpuri.. but I don’t eat street food anymore. Not even the vada pav available near Chembur post office. It’s so famous that friends from all over drop by with a request for that.

In summer what do you cool down with?
Nariyal paani, watermelon juice and water.

Which festival do you associate with food?
Ganesh Chathurthi.. with modaks.

When you go out shopping what do you usually end up buying?
Salad dressings.. and different sauces.

If you opened a specialty restaurant where would it be and what would it serve?
It would be in Mumbai and serve all kinds of healthy and interesting options.. lassi, juices, salads, full meals. May be I could start an organic food place.

What would you choose for your last meal?
Sticky rice and mango. And some meetha too.