How do you answer the question ‘Why I Travel’?
To broaden yourself at every destination. I try to buy a book about every place I travel to—and hopefully read it before I arrive.
You’ve been very busy the past few years—research, teaching, physician’s duties and writing books. Where do you go on your time off?
I love to travel with my family. It’s difficult, but we do our
best to take a family holiday every year. Our most recent vacation was to Venice—a city that I have admired for a long time. We fell in love with Venice when my wife [artist Sarah Sze] was installing in the American Pavilion at the Venice Biennale
in 2013. We lived there for two months, in an apartment on Via Garibaldi. There are particular walks and boat rides that we take over and over again when we visit the city. The owners of most of the restaurants in that neighbourhood are our friends now, and every meal is like a family meal.
A travel memory you hold dear…
Years ago, I went to an island
in Kenya. I can’t remember
the name, but it was a volcanic island, with beautiful beaches. We sat on crates and ate the most delicious seafood. I still remember the simplicity and astonishing beauty of the place.
How do you pick your hotels when you travel?
I love anything overlooking the water. My favourite hotel is the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat near Nice, which overlooks the ocean.
What is your favourite part of living in the Big Apple? And what aspect of the city could you do without?
I am always impressed by the energy and vibe of New York. And of course, the food—the sheer diversity of cuisine available is unbelievable. Le Bernardin—a seafood place that has the most exceptional service and food. And on the other end of town (and price): a place called Excellent Dumpling House in Chinatown for dumplings. There’s Yakiniku Futago [37 W 17th Street] around the corner from my house that serves Japanese barbecue, and Peking Duck House for the duck. For a New York slice, I go around the corner to Four Brothers Pizza. What I don’t like? I could do without the traffic.
What do you miss most about living in Boston?
Lobster rolls. Burdick’s chocolate. Running along River Charles every evening in autumn.
Let’s talk food. We know that you’re a serious home cook. Which world cuisine are you most inspired by these days?
I love cooking regional Asian food, Thai in particular. I like making seafood laksa. I’ve also been experimenting with paella.
You’re originally from Delhi and continue to visit. What are your favourite spots?
I love to eat tandoori chicken and kebabs at Rajinder Da Dhaba near my house in Delhi. And golgappas and chaat from Old Delhi. I almost always go to Nizam’s for kathi kebabs and Havemore on Pandara Road for hot, fresh naans.
What would we always find inside your travel case?
At least five books. I love flying because I can curl up with my books. There’s nothing like a 10-hour flight to read two novels. I also like to carry a Jaipuri blanket on flights and drape it across the whole family.
What destination is next on your bucket list?
We don’t know for sure where our next holiday will be—but it’ll be somewhere in Asia. Probably Thailand or Vietnam.
Mukherjee’s new book The Gene: An Intimate History (Penguin Books; Rs349) is on stands now.
