Plum Cakes & Parties: Our Very Merry Guide To Christmas In Bandra

Plum Cakes & Parties: Our Very Merry Guide To Christmas In Bandra

Bandra is the epicentre of all Christmas activities in the city, and anybody who’s lived here long enough knows it. A walk through the neighbourhood in itself is like walking along a timeline of the rise of Christianity in the region, what with crosses dating back to the 18th Century and Churches finding ground from the early 16th Century. Bandra’s large catholic population dates back to the time when the Portuguese were in India. Originally a collection of 24 villages, the Portuguese got these people to convert to Catholicism around the 16th and 17th Century, and the British then took over. The rest, as we know, is history.
While colonialism found it’s way out of the nation, the deep rooted traditions have made their homes in the tiniest of corners. From stars lighting up tiny by lanes, Christmas trees speckled with cotton peaking out of balconies, and aunties shouting about the rise in pork prices every year - what men -  it’s Christmas in Bandra, that’s for sure. This year, we’re letting you in on the festivities in our hood, and this HG Guide to Christmas in Bandra is the best present you’re getting this season.

Food That You Must Try

The way to the Homegrown heart is through the stomach - ask anyone who knows us.  Make sure to have your stretchy sweatpants at the ready, you’re going to need them.

Where: 4, Shakti Raj CHS, Next to Gold’s Gym, 13/B, Pali Road, Pali Hill, Bandra West.

If you haven’t figured out dessert for Christmas day, The Baker’s Dozen has got you sorted. They’ve gone overboard this year with all their festive goodies, and coming in highly recommended are the Christmas tree shaped plum cakes, banana bread and their fresh orange cake.

Where: 89, Waroda Rd, Ranwar, Bandra West
This quaint little bakery has one of the most extensive Christmas menus we’ve seen. They’ve got Gingerbread houses (the ones dreams are made of), fruit mince pies, sticky toffee pudding, mulled wine jelly sweets (this is real), and salted caramel fudge. Usual suspects are ever present, such as the plum cakes, Christmas cookies, marzipan, and rum balls. For those looking for a savoury feast, Mav’s has got slow roasted marmalade pork, Ultimate Roast Chicken with cranberry sauce and roast potatoes, garlic and butter roast turkey and more. Head to Mav’s to experience what Christmas really tastes like. 

Where:  Plot No 87, Villa Sushma, Hill Road, Bandra West

Image Credit: American Express Bakert

This iconic bakery during Christmas serves their special Traditional Christmas Plum Pudding and Stollen bread (a German-style holiday bread with a rope of homemade marzipan running through the loaf dotted with raisins, candied orange and an adequate splash of rum). With a whole new decor just in time for Christmas, the bakery also has a classic steak-and-kidney pie, mince pies and Guava cheese (the most confusing thing we’ve ever tried. Also, this is not the cheese you have been born to know and love - but try it if you’re adventurous).

Where: Shop No 1, Shahina Apartment, Pali Mala Road, Bandra West

For all those braving the feat of cooking the traditional Christmas dinner, this gourmet store in Bandra can get you the perfect suckling pig on order. In store, they have plenty turkey, duck, pork ribs and ham as alternatives for the glorious meal. They’ve even got a wide selection of cheese that could be paired with the meal.

V. Cheron
 

Where: 59, St. Joseph’s Convent High School, Hill Rd, Ranwar, Bandra West

This tiny spot on Hill Road has star shaped plum cakes, rich plum cakes, classic Marzipan and chocolate fudge. The star of this show, however, are the jujubes. They come in every shape, size and colour you could possibly imagine and are an instant ticket to reliving your childhood. They’ve even got marshmallows - toast them a little, imagine that it’s cold outside and you have yourself a christmas from the movies.

Where: Pali Darshan, 33rd road, Opp Mini Punjab, Bandra West

These guys have the perfect blend between tradition, and novelty. First up, their BÛCHE De NOËL - a log-shaped beauty made with alternating Belgian Chocolate Mousse, cake, and a hint of cherry. We’re also loving their Santa’s Strawberry Cake, Stollen Bread, and Christmas Tree Gift Box. Their Merry Little Christmas Hamper looks amazing too - it includes chocolate truffles, marzipan candies, a loaf of Christmas Cake, assorted ginger spiced cookies and Vanillekipferl Christmas Cookies, and Chocolate Dipped Marshmallow sticks.

VI. Escobar
 

Where: 199, 4th Floor, VN Sphere Mall, Linking Road, Bandra West

Escobar - Snowball

We’ve already established that Christmas is the time to drink, and almost nobody does Christmas cocktails like Escobar. This Christmas eve they are organizing an event called  ‘The Bucket Project- White Edition’. The best part about the event? There is a buy one get one offer on all their delicious cocktails and the beverages.

Things To Do

I. Christmas Shopping

2

Head to Cheap Jacks on Linking road for Christmas shopping on a budget. Get Christmas trees of all sizes without burning a hole in your pocket. They also have a variety of beautiful ornaments, stockings and other Christmas decorations to choose from. Also, if you want more choices you can head over too Something Special, which is right next to Cheap Jacks and is a one stop shop for all-things-christmas. 

1

 II. Midnight Mass

Christmas Eve culminates with one of the most special traditions of the Catholic faith, and that is the Midnight mass. While it’s not technically a “midnight” one in most churches, the tradition still holds good. For most, Christmas is shared with the family and friends, but Mass is a tradition that draws the whole community together and is most definitely the best way to bring Christmas in. Mount Mary’s Basilica, Mt. Carmel Church, Saint Peter’s Church or Saint Andrew’s Church to experience a Christmas mass first hand.

St Peters

III. Nativity Scenes

Damian-9744

Besides being adorned by lights and stars, the streets of Bandra are home to many cribs that hold the miracle of Baby Jesus and celebrate the spirit of Christmas. We recommend you go on an evening walk sometime before Christmas eve and cross as many of these as you can.  Damian, a furniture store in Bandra, has been known to have the most extravagant window nativity scene in the neighbourhood - one that warrants visitors from every corner of the city. Damian changes the theme of their nativity scene every year, often retelling stories from our childhood. A few years ago they depicted Alice in Wonderland and Gulliver’s Travels. Read our story behind Damian’s legendary displays to know more.

The garden across from the Mount Mary School is also known for holding a spectacular nativity scene.

IV. Roads to Walk Down When You Want To Feel The Christmas Cheer

In order to gather enough material to write this guide, there was a lot of walking involved. This is one of the few times you won’t hear us complain about it though, because the streets are really what makes it all truly feel like Christmas. Walk past the ever-so-festive Villa Vandre, complete with beautiful lights. 

Xmas-0086

The iconic ‘Peace Haven’ or ‘blue colour house near Carter road’ is also expected to be magnificently lit. As you walk down St. Paul road that is gleaming in it’s own reflection every 2 feet, you come by Francis Road, and which is our most favourite spot. 

A walk down chapel road as you go toward Mt. Carmel church is a must, the whole street is lit up and this road has a number of crosses each with their own story and history. The crosses are all done up, each in a distinct style. Finally, you cannot miss Veronica Street - this road has stars hanging all the way through and makes for the perfect walk on Christmas eve with headphones and carols - how often do you get to do this?

Christmas Specials You Should Check Out

I. O Pedro’s Twelve Days to Christmas and Big Goan Christmas Brunch

Where: 2, Jet Airways - Godrej BKC, C-68, G Block BKC, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East

Right out of a food-lover’s dream, O Pedro is celebrating Christmas with a dozen delightful dishes. Starting from December 12, 2018, and going on till December 23, 2018, this is all the practice you need to polish off an entire Christmas feast. They are also organizing a Big Goan Christmas Brunch, from December 23 – 25, 2018. The brunch includes Goan delicacies such as Smoked Pork Sorpotel, Christmas pulao, Rava Fry and more. You can also pre-order Spiced Roast Duck and Christmas Cakes to take home and share with your family and loved ones.

Where: C-WING, C-WING, Bharat Nagar Road, G Block BKC, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East

The all-day Japanese café and bar in BKC is offering a special Christmas Menu, available for dinner on Christmas Eve and all day on Christmas Day. From Aubergine Katsu, Creamy Kale to Tofu Steak and Artichoke for vegetarian diners, and Duck Breast Teriyaki or Honey Mustard Glazed Pork Ribs, they have something for everyone. Desserts include Apple Pie, traditional Plum Cake and Chocolate Fondant coupled with Limoncello and Lavender Sorbet with Shiraz Rose wine.

If you liked this article, we suggest you read:

Related Stories

No stories found.
logo
Homegrown
homegrown.co.in