We are at the Parsi General Hospital in south Mumbai right now. Waiting outside the OT as my father in law gets operated for a fracture.
Mama opens a bag. He smiles and says ‘mava cakes from B Merwan. Wonder if they have maintained the standards’
He wouldn’t know. He is vegetarian and the cakes have eggs. He won’t eat but he has got about two dozens of the cakes for us. He has eaten them though till ’72 when he was still a non vegetarian.
B Mervan is an Irani bakery near Grant Road station. It is most famous for its cakes.
Sleepily we losen the strings with which the wax paper parcel is tied. The cakes are still warm.
We break a bit of the cakes and take a bite. Both K and I break into a smile and our eyes gleam.
Good food can dispel the gloom. Even if for a bit.
The cakes are so buttery and warm. A touch of vanilla gently kisses you. There is a slight crunch outside and inside it is soft, near pillow like, and cuddly.
The mava cakes I remember were hard and sweet. K says the cakes become stiffer as the day progresses. This is so incredibly soft though.
The cake is so good I take another. As does K. It is so good that I take yet another. I know I am not supposed to. That’s how good it is though.
I am suddenly awake. I am not used to waking up at 6 am. Or before 9 am. I was snoozing outside the OT.
With the Merwan cakes glowing inside me I am a new man. I am awake and ready to take on the world.
And we wait …
Update: the operation is over now
Firstly, Hope your Father In Law gets well soon!
Living at Grant Road during college, I've always eaten Merwan's Mawa cakes. Couldn't contain my excitement when you mentioned them. My Mom's been born and brought up in Grant Road eating their cakes and said that the quality has deteriorated a bit over the years. Nonethless, I love them.
There have been a lot of rumors that B.Merwan was going to shut shop and a McDonalds was to open there. Horror Stories really, those. But its an institution now!
Important Public: If you want your Mawa Cakes, PLEASE go before 8.They get over really fast!
woohoo!
finally mainstream acclaim for this absolutely wonderful bakery. this was the source of many a breakfast for a year while working in that area.
think pillowy bread with a thick smear of amul butter and mixed fruit jam.
I love mawa cakes! Next time I am in Mumbai am having Marwan's mawa cakes
These fat babies are kissed by God
Brian, thanks for your wishes. These cupcakes were from the morning batch and tasted beautiful
@Sarita that sounds lovely
@Simi these were the best
@K angelic
I get my mava cakes at the andheri merwans. These and the plum cakes are to-die-for!!! I can't wait to come to mumbai and grab a few!
They do have eggless mava cakes now….your mama doesn't have to abstain from them 🙂
Its sad that the bakery has been shut down… 🙁
We thought you would like this tribute to B.Merwan and Co. irani cafe which closes down forever. http://homegrown.co.in/pictures-for-posterirty-in-conversation-with-the-creators-of-tales-from-merwan/