Burmese meal with Manit at Busago

Check the slideshow above My guest for this week- Gladrags Mega Model, television (Karol Bagh, Khamoshiyan, etc.) and film actor (Band Baajaa Baraat) Manit Joura for dinner at Chef Nikhil Chib’s (of Busaba fame) quick service restaurant called Busago, in Bandra. A cosy, compact café type eatery with a sit-out, Busago is a quick service restaurant (meals in a bowl concept) dishing out hearty and nutritious Korean/Burmese culinary fare for the health conscious youngsters of the Queen of the Suburbs. At the outset let me tell you, there were many Firsts in this column: this was my first ever interaction with Manit Joura; the first time an actor offered me a lift from my residence to the restaurant venue for the interview (No, I didn’t accept it as Chembur would have been out of the way for him). First time ever a gentleman of an actor offered to pay the cheque at the restaurant insisting, “I can’t have a lady pay for the meals. It’s not done.” (No again, for Manit was my guest and Nikhil Chib the dynamic owner of Busago was generous to have us on the house). As I waited for Manit, I relished Berry Good smoothie and Tibetan Vegetable Momo prepared from fresh dough and filled with finely chopped up veggies. The must-try sauces are the zesty in-house ones called Chib’s Chilli Sauce (comes in green, red and sweet), created by Chef Nikhil, that went well with Momos. Chocolate Mousse, Lemon Tart and Banofee temptingly stared at us from the display counter when the tall and good-looking actor arrived. After calling for healthy drinks of Coconut Nimbu Paani and Detox Me (Spinach, cucumber, apple, celery), we got talking. I noticed the actor’s fingers sported rings studded with diamond and other precious stones. On enquiring Manit said throwing light on it: the diamond ring was a gift from his jeweler father and the others were his mother’s diktat, in accordance with his star rashi. Since the menu was limited to Burmese Kaukswe, Stir Fries, Steamed Veggies with rice or noodles and Beef Bulgogi (Korean dish with a flavorsome marinade), we placed our order for Veg Kaukswe. Manit would love to anchor shows and has anchored Zee Apsara Awards and Sau Saal Cinema Ke on Star Plus in the past. An avid biker, the charming actor owns a Hayabusa and donned all the biker gears like gloves, knee-elbow guards and the works, takes off with friends on the highway late into the night. He fondly recollects meeting international football star David Beckham during one of his visits abroad. An athlete himself, for Manit is a good horseman as he reveals, “In Delhi, I used to visit my friend’s stud farm and go horse riding. Horses are amazing animals and more loyal than your canine friends.” Kaukswe, the coconut milky stew with mushrooms, broccoli (Manit’s favorite veg) was presented in a bowl with a platter containing the condiments of peanuts, fried onions, garlic, coriander, lemon wedges and fresh onion slices and a separate bowl full of noodles. We loved this wonderful Burmese one-dish meal for its coconut flavor and the fact that you can add the condiments as per your choice. Prod him about any girlfriend on the scene and he says, “I wish to concentrate on my career for now. That can wait.” He is busy having just completed a German movie and wound up a Hindi film called My Idol opposite Hrishita Bhatt. Manit skips the sweet ending as Banofee is my fave dessert – it is actually a classic banana-cream-toffee pie but at Busago it comes in a cup. Nevertheless, it was simply delicious as I dug through the fresh cream, sticky caramel toffee and finally made it to the crunchy biscuit crumb base. We rounded off our meal with Cappuccino and bid adieu till we meet again! RAPID FIRE QS WITH MANIT JOURA TV or films? Both! (Smart answer!) Serials or reality shows? Serials and anchoring. (Smarter!) A reality show you would like to be a part of… There are more than one - Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, KBC and Khatron ke Khiladi Your fave Hindi film actor… Nana Patekar. A Hindi film actor you envy… Irfan Khan. Your inspiration for Success… Being Shah Rukh Khan and still being humble. First thing you observe in a woman… Her dress sense…because that would say a lot about her. What attracts you most in a woman? Sense of humour. A quality your spouse should possess… Sophisticated simplicity and genuineness. Having said the above, are you single or dating? Single. Your pet peeve (s)… Those who try to be over smart and liars. Your idea of fun…. The sense of achievement after overcoming fear. Your fitness mantra… Besides working out regularly and eating right, early to bed and early to rise is my secret to good health. One thing that nobody knows about you… I am very emotional and watch poignant movies all alone because when I cry, I cry like a 5-year old. 5 years down the line, you see yourself as… Ask God!!!