A lot of us who've lived, eaten and enjoyed the finer things in the city of Mumbai had, in some way, heard of, met or even interacted with Chef Floyd Cardoz, a pioneer of Indian cuisine and one of its biggest cheerleaders.
Now, the teams behind The Bombay Canteen and O Pedro are celebrating him with a special tribute menu, for three weeks, from his birthday on October 2 to October 18. This unique delivery menu will feature all of his favourite foods - dishes that he cooked for his family and friends, favourite dishes that his wife made him, and even some of those iconic dishes that put him on the global culinary map, from the iconic Tabla to North End Grill and favourites from his travels across the world - all savoured and cherished by him as #FloydsFood.
The celebrations kick off on the weekend of October 2-4 with an epic menu featuring India-inspired grills, Kulcha Pizzas and Growlers from Great State Ale Works. You can order-in the famous Paowalla Chicken Tikka, or the Bandra “Spare-Parts” Grill, inspired by his love for Indian street-food. Try the Jackfruit “Mussalam” Carnitas, a vegetarian offering inspired by the Murg Mussalam from Nawab Jamal Rasul Khan home in Lucknow. (Psst -This version served with tortillas, corn salad, roasted green tomato salsa and avocado guacamole, had David Chang in raptures on the popular Netflix show - Ugly Delicious).
Each dish on this tribute menu has a memory and an unforgettable story. From October 7-18, there’s a more extensive offering - with Floyd’s favourites including his wife Barkha’s Methi Chicken Curry, the prize-winning Wild Mushroom Upma from Top Chef Masters 2011 Finale and ‘Tabla’ Lamb Kulcha. More gems on the three-week tribute menu include his famous Kulcha Pizza, the Choriz Kulcha with bacon fat and cured yolk dip, Chilli Cheddar Cheese Kulcha with Boodies ketchup and bitter greens. An absolute must-order is the Casa Cardoz’s B**f Short Rib Biryani - slow-braised short ribs with aromatic rice – cooked just the way he would.
And, in true birthday spirit, you end your meal on a sweet note with a Pomelo Sorbet, a fruit which if he ever spotted, he would be sure to buy and a twice-baked Parle G- Earl Grey Pot de Crème, a Chai Biscuit dessert made with his favourite kitchen snack.
We've given you enough reasons to salivate and honestly, for us, this is the best way to pay tribute to a star we've always loved.
