I should have known better than to search far and wide. It was sitting right under my nose and I didn't even detect a whiff.
I underestimated Abu Dhabi's capacity to hold in its folds the secrets of Indian street food. A few weeks ago, I even earmarked an eatery in Dubai, determined to brave Sheikh Zayed Road and a trip to Bur Dubai just to enjoy a snack.
The vada pao seemed beyond reach. After a week in Mumbai last year, where I couldn't stop stuffing mouthfuls of this delicious combination of bread, a deep-fried potato fritter and an amazing range of sauces and chutneys, I decided, upon return, to renew my search. The advantage of travel is that you discover new things: culture, history and, in my case, food. The problem with travel is that you end up searching in vain, desperate to recreate all those delicious memories.
It reminded me of my trip to Bali. It's easy to add some ready-made paste of sambal olek to a pot of chicken and call it an Indonesian curry, but to actually know what makes the base of this fiery paste is a challenge - one that led me to fill two notebooks with instructions during cooking classes in Bali.
Then came the reality of daily life and, search as I might, the fermented shrimp paste was hard to find. Even after I'd gathered all the ingredients, they did not come up to be the same consistency.
My point is that I've stopped attempting to recreate dishes upon return from my travels. Instead, I now try to find a place with a modicum of authenticity that will deliver. Chapli kebabs from Pakistan? Any self-respecting tiny restaurant in your neighbourhood that caters to blue-collar workers will serve you a delicious version. It may not be exactly what you ate but it will certainly be better than what you attempt to make.
This brings me to the happy accident in Abu Dhabi that led me to a vada pao. This weekend tested my patience as I tried to reach Abu Dhabi Mall. New road closures and clogged traffic put me a lane away from Chappan Bhog behind the ADCB's headquarters on Salam Street. It was time for a quick bite before I tried yet another route, so I stopped for some of my favourite snacks. As I looked through their one-page, laminated menu, the vada pao (called wada pav and priced at Dh4.50) jumped out at me. So I tried it. It was different but it was delicious, and each bite of garlicky goodness was worth the find.
Turns out, if you look closely, the capital can captivate your taste buds.
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Jawan
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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SPECS
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BIRD%20BOX%20BARCELONA
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If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times
If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.
A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.
The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.
In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.
The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.
Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.
Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.
“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.
The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.
“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.
“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
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Fitness problems in men's tennis
Andy Murray - hip
Novak Djokovic - elbow
Roger Federer - back
Stan Wawrinka - knee
Kei Nishikori - wrist
Marin Cilic - adductor
TOUR RESULTS AND FIXTURES
June 3: NZ Provincial Barbarians 7 Lions 13
June 7: Blues 22 Lions 16
June 10: Crusaders 3 Lions 12
June 13: Highlanders 23 Lions 22
June 17: Maori All Blacks 10 Lions 32
June 20: Chiefs 6 Lions 34
June 24: New Zealand 30 Lions 15
June 27: Hurricanes 31 Lions 31
July 1: New Zealand 21 Lions 24
July 8: New Zealand v Lions