Rushad Rana eats and makes merry at Jabberwocky's

Check the slideshow above I met Rushad Rana who is presently seen on Sony Entertainment Television’s show Jee Le Zara, for dining out at Jabberwocky’s. Ci Gusta at Waterfield Road, Bandra, which has turned into Jabberwocky’s with the same affable partners – Sachin Mandrekar and Rishi, same Manager Rohan Pandit, same Italian menu but with additional sections and a spanking new décor. The extra items and headings from the last time I visited here are the soups, Mini Meals, Sizzlers and a dash of Mexican and Oriental cuisines. Walls sporting images of dishes colorfully laminated tempt you to try them out. White chairs with yellow table tops dominate the interiors, tables have mats with Jabberwocky’s funny and nonsensical posts like: Lazy Rule: Can’t reach what I dropped, I don’t need it! I don’t have insomnia, I have internet connection! After we are through chuckling over most of the posts, we place our orders for food. Rushad is a big time foodie who likes to check out new eateries though he says he can’t cook to save his life. Tomato soup with roasted bell peppers and Caesar’s Salad with iceberg, roman lettuce and homemade Caesar dressing peppered with crunchy croutons in parmesan cheese were appetizing as we go on to the starters of Nachos – a Tex Mex delight of tortilla chips baked with refried beans, cheese and salsa sauce; Spicy Peri Peri Pino pizza had as its name suggests, spicy tomato sauce, mozzarella, mixed bell peppers, onion, black olives and jalapeno garnished with feta cheese and Potato Wedges of quartered and battered fried potatoes exuded flavors of chilli flakes, oregano, black pepper, ajwain. We also tried Mushroom Buchi in which mushroom is stuffed with cheese and bell peppers, batter fried and served with jalapeno dip. We give a Thumbs Up to all the starters and Cookie Crunch milkshake. Rushad has had a checkered career with being seen on and off on television coupled with a failed marriage. The actor clarifies, “After a stint of television serials, I made an entry into films. This was a period when I kept away from TV and when a couple of movies did not release, I got stuck in the rut.” After which he appeared in episodics like Crime Patrol. “In my present role on Sony TV show Jee Le Zara, I play a cut throat businessman who has come to create havoc in Saanchi’s (Sangeeta Ghosh) life,” muses the actor who plays a negative character with immense scope. Speaking about sharing a great rapport with Nagesh Kukunoor, he says, “He is a wonderful person. After Dor, he repeated me in three more films, 8/10 Tasveer, Mod and Yeh Faasle” Few know that Rushad is an extremely emotional person and even cries while watching a poignant movie. If not an actor, he wanted to do literature and would have become a copywriter. While in school he was very active in dramatics and had won prizes for his alma mater in inter-school competitions. By now our mains appear – Grilled Chicken with veggies and fries for the actor and Pesto Genovese pasta – creamy basil pesto sauce with parmesan cheese and Primevera Rissotto – a splendid rose sauce preparation with bell peppers and other premium vegetables like mushroom, broccoli, zucchini for us. Rushad relishes the mini meal but feels the chicken could have been a tad softer. Though the Scorpion would refrain from entering the Bigg Boss house (I am too private and cannot stay with strangers), he loves the way Salman Khan anchors BB. Winding up with Sweet Crepes and Waffles – traditional style with milk chocolate, served with ice cream, we take leave of each other. I wish him lots of luck, success and a soul mate. Rapid fire Q’s with Rushad Rana Fave cuisine… Indian. Dishes you relished at Jabberwocky’s… Grilled Chicken (though the chicken could have been a tad softer) Nachos, Cookie Crunch milkshake. Reality shows or serials? Serials and a definite NO to Bigg Boss. A passionate hobby… Photography. A Bollywood actor you idolize… Shah Rukh Khan. Your dream role… Al Pacino in Scent of a Woman. A die-hard habit… I am a cleanliness freak. A habit you wish to chuck… I trust people blindly which gets me in trouble. High point of your life… Doing my first show Hip Hip Hurray. Low point… My divorce. Your pet peeve… Hypocrisy. Fitness mantra… Walk as much as you can. One thing that few know about you… I am terribly scared of dark and don’t watch horror films. Your idea of fun… A great meal followed by a lovely film and a long drive. A dish you can make to perfection… Sandwich (I can’t cook to save my life, he says). To tide by rainy days…… I plan to invest in real estate.