Mumbai: Meheraboon Rashib Gourabian, owner of the iconic Britannia and Co. restaurant at Ballard Estate, passed away on Tuesday. He was popularly known as Meherwan Kohinoor, and most remember him greeting patrons while entering and exiting the restaurant. Mr. Kohinoor was 87.
Parsi community member and historian Simin Patel said the gentle Mr. Kohinoor was either seen at the entrance of Britannia restaurant, or at the last table having lunch. “When Mr. Kohinoor migrated from Iran to Bombay, he worked at Sailor Restaurant, a popular Irani cafe on P.M. Road. He then graduated (as Iranis like to say) to being a partner at Bastani & Co. at Dhobi Talao. In his final years, he was at Britannia. He was the much quieter of the two beloved Gourabian brothers,” she said.
His elder brother, Boman, was often seen interacting and humouring patrons. “He was known for his discipline and would always be busy with his work. His elder brother would walk around the restaurant and talk to everyone,” said Parvez Patel, partner at Ideal Corner in Fort. He added that recreating Britannia’s berry pulav has been at the top of the list of many restaurants serving Parsi cuisine.
Trustee of the Ripon Club, Xersus Dastur, says Britannia is an institution that has helped popularise Parsi cuisine and has been a must-visit for Parsis coming to Mumbai from all over the world. “His work ethic, right from sourcing to taking orders and serving, was an inspiration to all of us younger folk. Hope the family keeps up the glorious tradition.”
