Tribute to Leopold

Restaurants and lounge bars across south Bombay are still reeling under the effects of the recent terror attacks in the city. However, at one cafe, patrons are still pouring in. Leopold Café at Colaba Causeway was the first to face the wrath of the terrorists. However, it’s also among the first to bounce back to normalcy. At this famous backpacker hangout it’s once again "business as usual.”

Leopold Café is owned by Zoroastrians and those who were glued to their television sets during the terror attacks may have observed cameras panning across broken glass, overturned and bullet-ridden furniture and fixtures, save the image of Prophet Zarathushtra which did not receive even as much as a scratch. Many have claimed this to be a miracle.

Recently, Leopold has become much more than just a place to dine. It’s ironically acquired "historic importance,” though I believe the terrorists wanted this place to become history! This probably explains the triple boom in the number of patrons.

Leopold Café is a real classic amongst travelers in Bombay. It started way back in 1871 as a wholesale oil store. Over the years it metamorphosed into a restaurant and store, then to a restaurant and pharmacy and finally, in 1987 it took its present form. The year 1991 saw the advent of the pub upstairs. It was the second pub to open in Bombay and was at that time the biggest. Today the restaurant below is a very popular place, especially with foreign tourists who could comprise 60 to 70 percent of the clientele in the tourist season of October to March.

Leopold is the typical Irani restaurant but better maintained than most. The pub functions in two sessions, from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the afternoon, and again in the evening. In the afternoons, it has basically the college crowd and the music is very much in tune with the times. During evenings, the music starts by 6.30 p.m., playing mostly soft romantic numbers to begin with, and picks up the tempo at night. The clientele then sports more variety, from teenagers to the elderly. And so does the music.

Leopold plays all kinds of music and refuses to slot itself. There is a small dance floor, though it does not mean that dance music is predominantly played. Monday night is the "request night” when customers call the shots, and Wednesdays are "retro nights” when old numbers are played.

I have happy memories of celebrating many a birthday and anniversary with friends at Leopold. I was there less than a month ago for a quick bite before catching a late night show at the Regal. I can hardly wait to go back and tuck into my favorite "chicken chilly” dish. Yes, it’s a happy and happening place. But, each time I pass it, I will also bow my head and offer a silent prayer for the peace of the souls of the many innocent people who lost their lives at this famous watering hole.

NOSHIR H. DADRAWALA

noshir101@hotmail.com