Its staff entirely Goan, it was a little outpost of our food culture, on Churchgate Street in Bombay. Emile Gourdon was one of a small band of European First War veterans who stayed on in the East, and he used his French culinary skills to cater to an eager British clientele in the gay 30's and 40's. The dining section was set apart from the cake place which was was more affordable to us university students in the 60's. It was also popular with Bombay's small emigre South African Indian crowd. Mr.Gourdon was the honorary Secretary of the venerable BPHA - Bombay Provincial Hockey Association, a job he took very seriously, as he kept a gimlet eye on the styles: we kids still managed to beat the entry fee, one had to to watch the Lusis win ! The Afghan Police did beat them a few times, but they were a joy to watch, bare feet, in anklets. The Lusitanians were to become the Goan Sports in later years. I met the Travasso family in Toronto last week: they had taken over the lease after Mr.Gourdon had died in the 60's. Gourdon's did not survive our changing demographics, and the premises were acquired by the Bank of Abu Dhabi in the mid 70's. ps Dinner for two, anywhere, for a nice story on our hockey team - and dont leave out Maurice Britto and Walter D'Souza !! eric.
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