Feel like Maharaja @ Maharaja Bhog.. by Chandan Tahasildar

If any one would have told me that one day you will go out to have veg thali, I would have just burst out laughing.
I am strictly non vegetarian when it comes to dinner outing.
But it changed. The last month of 2015 made it possible.
We had a team outing and somehow 1 more non veg lover like me, Robert, had a thought to taste veg thali. After discussing many options we finalised Maharaja Bhog at inorbit mall, Malad.

Just outside the restaurant are some fine paintings which will attract you.
Don't know how but those paintings gave me a positive feeling that this dinner would be memorable. It happened too.
Once you enter the restaurant you have a feeling that you have come to Royal place. The interior majorly in shades of yellow, will make you feel that you are in the vintage era.

Once you take the seat a waiter will come with big brass vessels. Those were to wash your hands. He will pour water from the brass jug and you just have the feeling of "wow.." I am treated great.
The next thing come to you is the welcome drink in a brass glass.
The server told us that this is special sharbat made of Chandan (sandal wood)and keshar (saffron). Heavenly.. no other word suits it. It was not less than nectar.
Then comes the dishes. The dishes, the bowls, all are made of brass. It was really looking superb even with those empty dishes.
And here comes the food. We were first served with Khaman Dhokla, khandavi and a chirimiri with 3 different chatanees. Chirimiri - a small patice like thing which had stuffing inside and outer covering of flour. Baked finely and tasted delicious. I was not too keen to have it first but when I tasted it, I had atleast 4 more.
The dhokla was good too. Then they started with a list of food items. The list is tempting and enough to activate your taste buds. Misal, Papad, Dal, Kadhee, 3 vegetables. Roti, Puri, 2 sweets, butter milk, rice, khichadi and I am sure I have still missed 2-3 items. The thali when full was looking so rich and heavy that I felt I shall have to parcel half of this. But the food was amazingly great and I couldn't stop myself from overeating. If I write about each one I shall have to practically divide  this blog in 3 parts.
I did not find any of the stuff mentioned above which was below the expectations barring the pickle. That was the only weak link in the whole menu.
The Dal was thick and it tasted great with both Roti and Rice. Potato subjee had a different masala and it was nice too. But the highlight of the menu was the bitter guard. I had never found bitter guard so much in demand in so many years. To reduce its bitterness the chef had smartly used shredded coconut and little of garlic.
The bengali sweet was mouth watering and it made all of us forget the calorie count for the day. The khichadi with homemade ghee was one more superb combination that was great in taste.
One more thing needs a mention was the server and the waiters. They were very warm and insisting us to have food compliantly. They made us believe that "Atithi devo bhav" written on their aprons was not just for show and they mean it.

After the dinner again one of the waiter came with that brass vessel to wash hands. We were really feeling as if we are from the Royal Family. Then came the meethaa paan. It had clove in it to digest the food and and to aid as mouth freshener.

We were more than happy with what we had.. but still we wanted to end it with the superhit find of the day - the Chandan sharbat. Though it was the welcome drink, they obliged our request and served it again to all of us.
The share per person was around INR 400. For such amazing food and service it is definitely more than worth.
After having such rich, delicious and heavy dinner it was impossible to move out immediately. So we decided to sit there and had a chat with colleagues. We were there for minimum 15-20 mins even after the bill was paid and no one came to disturb us or there was no such sign to make us feel that you are done and its time for you to go.
Finally we had to move but with the plan of coming with family or with friends again..

foodians: चेट्टीनाड मशरूम मसाला ....... by Kirti Pataskar

foodians: चेट्टीनाड मशरूम मसाला ....... by Kirti Pataskar: चेट्टीनाड  मशरूम  मसाला  २६ नोव्हेंबर २०१५ हा दिवस माझ्या आयुष्यातला "dream  coming true " ठरला . झी मराठी च्या आम्ही सार...

चेट्टीनाड मशरूम मसाला ....... by Kirti Pataskar

चेट्टीनाड  मशरूम  मसाला 

२६ नोव्हेंबर २०१५ हा दिवस माझ्या आयुष्यातला "dream  coming true " ठरला . झी मराठी च्या आम्ही सारे खवय्ये साठी दुसऱ्यांदा माझा एपिसोड शूट होणार होता आणि साक्षात प्रशांत दामले …. a legend …ह्यन्न भेटण्याची संधी मिळणार होती . एपिसोड चांगला शूट झाला . त्यात २ recipes बनवल्या . त्यातली हि एक recipe तुमच्यासमोर सादर करत आहे . 

चेट्टीनाड हा तामिळनाडू मधील एक प्रांत आहे आणि त्याचं cuisine फारच प्रसिद्ध आहे. चेत्तीनाड मश्रूम मसाला साठी लागणारे साहित्य आणि क्रुति. 

साहित्य:

चेत्तीनाड मसाला बनवण्यासाठी लागणारे साहित्य :

लाल सुक्या मिरच्या 

धने  ०१ छोटी वाटी 

जिरे  ०१ छोटी वाटी 

किसलेले खोबरे (सुके)  अर्धा वाटी 

लसणाच्या पाकळ्या   ५-६

छोटे कांदे  २-३

भाजी साठी लागणारे साहित्य :

तेल 

मोहरी  

कडीपत्ता  १०-१२ पाने 

हिंग  अर्धा टी स्पून 

हळद  ०१ tea स्पून 

चिंचेचा कोळ  ०२ मोठे चमचे '

मशरूम   पाव किलो 

मीठ  चवीनुसार 

कृती :

प्रथम मसाल्याचे वरील सर्व साहित्य भाजून घ्यवेत. त्यात तेल घालू नये . भाजून थंड झाल्यावर  मिक्सर मधून काढून त्याची पावडर करून घ्यावी . त्यानंतर कढई  मध्ये  तेल  गरम करून त्या मोहरी , हिंग , कडीपत्ता घालावा . 

नंतर त्यात मश्रूम, चिंचेचा कोळ  घालावा . झाकण ठेवून वाफ येऊ द्यावी . त्या नंतर त्यात मीठ,हळद आणि चेट्टीनाड  मसाला घालावा व परत वाफ आणावी . भाजी शिजून तयार झाल्यावर हि गरम चपात्या ,भाकरी अथवा भाताबरोबर खावी . 

Photography courtesy: Abhishek Surve

ज़ाफ़रान By Chandan Tahasildar

ज़ाफ़रान
हे नाव मी गेले 3 वर्षे ऐकत होतो. पण जाण्याचा योग मात्र येत नव्हता. पण गेल्या आठवड्यात हा योग जुळून आला. निमित्त होते.... जाउदे, जातीच्या खावैय्यांना निमित्त लागते का ??
माझ्या मित्रांचा गोतावळा आधीच पोहोचला होता आणि मी पोहचेपर्यन्त एक वाईट प्रसंग सुद्धा घडून गेला. त्यानंतर प्रत्येक मिनिटागणिक आणि मागवणाऱ्या प्रत्येक पदार्थानंतर आमची निराशा होत गेली. अर्थात यातही काही अपवाद होतेच. पनीर टिक्का मसाला माझ्या आवडीच्या पदार्थांपैकी एक. तो मस्त होता. बटर कुलचा सुद्धा छान जमुन आला होता. चिकन मसाला ग्रेवी आणि चिकन अफ़गाणी हे आम्हाला आवडलेले पदार्थ. पण..
थोड़े मागे जातो आणि सुरवातीपासून सुरवात करतो..
माझ्या एका मैत्रिणीने स्टार्टर म्हणून चिकन टिक्का मागवले होते. दुर्दैवाने म्हणे किंवा नजरचुकीने, त्यात कोंबडीचे पीस सापडले. ही बाब व्यवस्थापनाच्या लक्षात आणून दिली गेली पण तोवर जो व्हायचा होता तो परिणाम झाला होता. 
मी माझ्यासाठी जी जी शीतपेये सांगत होतो ती उपलब्ध नव्हती. अखेर काय उपलब्ध आहे असे विचारल्यावर "फ्रूट पंच" आणि "लेमोनेड" असे उत्तर मिळाले. मग जर दोनच पेये आहेत तर मेनू का आणून दिला असे विचारले तर उत्तर नाही मिळाले.
मी फ्रूट पंच मागवले आणि वेलेंसियाने लेमोनेड. लेमोनेड लेमोनेड सारखेच होते मात्र फ्रूट पंच माझा कॅलरी काउंट वाढवण्यासाठीच बनवल्यासारखे बनवले होते. कष्टाची फळे सुद्धा इतकी गोड नसावीत. खूपच गोडम गोड होते ते. मात्र प्रत्येक घोटागणिक वजन वाढत असल्याचा भास होऊन माझे तोंड मात्र कडू झाले होते.
चिकनचे अजून एक स्टार्टर मागवले होते पण त्याचे नावसुद्धा लक्षात राहु नये अशी त्याची चव होती. एखाद्या मारवाड़ी व्यावसाईकाला शोभावा असा चिवटपणा होता त्याच्या अंगी.
स्टार्टर पैकी चांगला एक पदार्थ होता पनीर टिक्का मसाला. तो मात्र छान होता.
स्टार्टर इतकी निराशा मुख्य मेनूने केली नाही. मी चिकन अफ़गाणी मागवले होते. मेनूवर ज्या आकर्षक प्रकारे लिहिले होते, तितकेच आकर्षक दिसतही होते. बोनलेस चिकन, पिवळ्या रंगाच्या मध्यम तिखट घट्ट ग्रेवी मधे छान लागत होते. त्यावर ऑमलेट सुद्धा घातले होते आणि त्यांची एकत्रित चव मस्तच वाटत होती. माझ्या एका मित्राने चिकन मसाला मागवले होते. ही लाल रंगाची मसालेदार ग्रेवी सुद्धा खूपच चवदार होती.
चैत्रा नावाची माझी मैत्रीण आहे जिला जेवणाइतकेच किंवा जेवणापेक्षाही जेवणानंतरच्या डेजर्टस् जास्त महत्वाच्या वाटतात, ती मात्र ज़ाफ़रानला त्या रात्रीसाठी कधीच माफ करणार नाही.
दिलेल्या मेनू मधून चॉकलेटचे २ आणि सिताफळाचे २ आणि माझ्यासाठी रसगुल्ला असे नक्की केल्यावर आम्हाला कळाले की रसगुल्ला वगळता काहीच उपलब्ध नाही. यानंतर मात्र अधिक काही खाण्याची आमची इच्छा उरली नाही आणि तसेही त्यांच्याकडेही आमच्यासाठी काही नव्हतेच.
बिल झाले होते 4500. अगदी चांगल्या रेस्तराँच्या मानानेही (तसा अनुभव आला नाही तरीही) हे थोड़े जास्तच वाटले. कारण 10 रूपयांना मिळणारे 7up जर कुणी 75 रूपयांना देत असेल तर तशीच उत्तम सेवा सुद्धा मिळायला हवी ना ??

- चंदन तहसीलदार.

Nuggets?? ...simply no no............By Kirti Pataskar

Hi friends,today I happened to visit a famous burger chain outlet...(need not disclose the name as such!) and happened to taste chicken nuggets.Initially,I was very excited and happy to taste this dish for two reasons..mainly because of my fondness of chicken and secondly,when I had made nuggets myself  at home with some ready to make frozen packets ,they were just excellent ,crispy,tasty and complete value-for-money snack..! almost with same notion,i was all set to drop the morsel in my mouth.But honestly,nothing like that  happened as I threw a glance at this dish..

These nuggets were more looking like "Bhajiyas"(Indian fritters made of gram flour) than an american fried snacks..there was no crispy quoting of breadcrumbs or cornflakes or alike..secondly,one had to search for its crispiness.Though they were hot,they were soggy and not crunchy..The taste too was not over-the -top ..Overall,It turned out to be a mediocre dish that had got hyped due to its world famous company name.I realize one thing that people come to these outlets not because they are hungry but because they want to kill their time and put something into their open mouths that can fill their stomach for little time.Also going to such outlets has become a part of fashion and status in today's teenagers.

No doubt,there are some good things about these pizza and burger chains.Especially,burger chains are not too expensive and in approximately 50-100 rupees one can stuff his stomach to a satisfactory extent.But standing in a queue,placing an order ,waiting for your order number and going and fetching your tray on your own is highly arduous and clumsy for Indian hands.! Such type of discipline is heavy for us...I personally prefer burger over pizzas though I love pizzas more.But like any other middle-class  budget customer,I too see price list first.And burger along with its cost fills my stomach and doesn't empty monthly budget  at the same time.I generally keep pizzas for celebrations.i..e if anyone wants to treat me out and asks my choice then I certainly opt for pizza.On the same hand,If I want to treat my friends out for a brunch on my preferences,I would jump for pizzas again.

Well,this inspires me to think that why these american fast food chains have become soo  popular and integral part of Indian life? These foods have occupied so much space in our heart and right upto kitchens that they have left no ball unturned.Ok.Firstly,these restaurants provide enough space to sit and relax even though you don't order anything.They will mind only during weekends when their rush is over -spilling.Secondly,they are pocket friendly.Thirdly,You need not wait for long to get your order.Unlike any other Indian restaurants you need not wait too long to receive your menu .Only if your order is long and of time consuming dish,you have  to stand for pretty longer time for your order to get ready.Fourthly,these chains have excellent marketing and advertising strategies.They are excellent at pitching their target customers.Hold on,even though I have stated  few above advantages we should also look at their downsides.The most important thing  about this food is you can't eat them everyday unlike our Indian breakfasts like dosas,upma or poha.for a simple reason that they are not good for your health.Even dieticians these days are warning to stay away from such foods as it contains bad cholesterol in pretty lager quantity.On medical and fitness ground too,our Indian snacks have stood the test of time and have been proved "healthy".I personally would appreciate Indian way of hotelling where a waiter or a captain or a manager takes care of every single customer walking in his restaurant and serving him.Finally,you are "Valued"there.! whatever it may be,but udupi or any regional Indian restaurants are unbeatable despite these firangi food.and this desi food gets ten on ten on my report card..!

Hotel Kokan.........by Chandan Tahasildar

Hotel Kokan

I am going to tell you today the biggest weakness of mine. You all can blackmail me.. and I shall do any thing for that one dish.. It is fish fry.
I was following some dietary instructions given by someone who really takes care of me.. (no ahem ahem pls... I am talking bout my family doctor). Well jokes apart, but Sunil, one of my dearest friend reminded me today of fishes and then we couldn't control but to visit a very special place where you get super hit and super hot fish fry.

Hotel Kokan is located in a quiet lane near Kandarpada in Dahisar. but that's what is  the best thing about wefoodians. We  always find out such locations for you all. Ok I took a little chance to promote my blog but coming back to topic again, Hotel Kokan is a small hut with 5 tables and a small kitchen inside.Unlike other restaurants,this one is not posh,upscale and opulent outlet but small,cozy and value for money one.

Appa, the waiter, server, assistant, cashier, manager and of course the owner of the hotel manages everything solely  with a never ending smile on his face.His wife and mother will be in kitchen cooking everything in order to serve you fast and fresh.Here is the picture of the menu.

Believe me guys, close your eyes and put your finger on menu, that will be the best dish you will have.I have been there twice and I had my best timesevery single time.
This time we started with Bombil (Bombay duck) fry and Bangada (mackerel) fry. Before the order was served, we were engrossed talking about one of our  friend's engagement party and trust me guys,the moment our menu reached our tables we were almost unknown to each oather with only our mouths watering,salivating and chewing our bese food on the table!!.Bombil were fresh and yummy. Bangada was good too.Last time I had ordered kolambee (prawns) fry and chicken masala so this time I decided to taste the mutton.
The mutton masala as you can see in the pic was super amazing. I can bet that this is one of the best mutton dish you can have in Mumbai. We had bhaakaree and chapatee with it. Both were hot and fresh from kitchen. This mutton masala is unbeatable and must-try for foodies. We repeated the Bombil fry and also ordered kaleji (lever). Appa the clever man noticed that we liked the masala dish. He asked proactively if we want kaleji masala or gravy or fry. We who by now had turned out to be fans of the masala dish ordered for Kaleji masala with bhakri and chapatti.

I am not a great lover of Kaleji but it was so tempting that I couldn't resist eating it. Sunil by now had decided to bring his brother and Pravin, my other friend decided to take parcel from here for weekend.Well the stomach was full but the mind was wanting more..! So we decided to visit again in next month to try few more dishes.Meanwhile if you listen to the bill amount you will say I am faking. For all this hard work of making and serving it hot and fresh as per every customers requirements, he charged us ₹550. 

When we were leaving I heard a conversation between Appa and one of his customers.
Appa - "We will be closed from 15 to 22 September because of Ganapati festival."
Customer - "where will I have my dinner for so many days?"

Well that's the impact this place has on you.I am sure you must have decided your date to visit this place. Don't forget to invite me.Till then.. celebrate food! celebrate eating!

Chandan Tahasildar

Family Diwali lunch @ Suruchi..............By Kirti Pataskar

Its been already a week of Diwali celebrations and sumptuous Diwali snacks.Being  maharashtrian,I believe in making home made Diwali snacks and enjoy preparing them at home.Eventually,It has also remained a practice since last few years in our house,that we treat our close and extended relatives on one the four days of Diwali.We take them in some nearby vegetarian restaurants and have our gastronomic experience fulfilled there.This time we decided to take them to Suruchi,in Thakur complex,Kandivali east(it is where I stay) for two reasons..One  for being one of the closest  venue from our residence and secondly,this tiny restaurant has a not-so-common advantage i.e. u get excellent gehu ki roti (wheat flour Chapati).Ghee laden ,thick,hot wheat flat breads come to your plate and melts in your mouth.It also makes easy for small children in the family to enjoy their meals which otherwise is an arduous task.This restaurant is near from Thakur complex main circle.It has a mediocre space and there two sections air-conditioned and non air conditioned.In non AC section there is also a platform of pavbhaji center where you can watch pav bhaji taking shape live.This is one of the oldest restaurants in thakur complex.They have recently renovated the place with some nice wall papers and other interiors.

We decided  to reserve a table for 15 in advance with the restaurant manager a day earlier but he assured us that he will easily accomodate 15 guests in his AC section and that we need not reserve a day before.The meals were undoubtedly three course meals.so it bagan with tomato soup,mushroom soup and sweet corn soup.All three soups were extra ordinarily good and left no scope for complaints.

Mushroom soup

Tomato soup unlike others had no artificial smell or colour.Mushroon soup was spicy,hot and indian chinese taste wd chopped ginger-garlic in it.It tickled our tongue as well as it triggered our hunger a bit more.Then we ordered chapati,paneer chatpata and veg handi.None of the veg dishes were spicy or oily.Waiters kept juggling between orders and serving us their hot chapatis.Relatives' faces were looking quite happy and contented with food..especially my mom..at this age too,she is a great cook and great foodie.She also belongs to a family of food lovers and all my maasis are terrific cooks.Then came plain rice and day fry.We relished on that too.The rice grain was basmati,properly cooked and longg.Dal was mix lentils with garlic n dry red chillies tadka on it.

ghee laden chapati

Paneer chatpata

Plain rice

lip smacking dal

We all ate so much that our stomachs left no space for any desserts.Even then I made a courtesy and asked everyone along with my dad(who is a terrible sweet  tooth) whether they would like to have any sweet dish but all of them declined.We finally left the restaurant with stuffed stomach and filled hearts..Thanx Suruchi..!

chaat @ shanti fast food..............By Kirti Pataskar

The other day I was watching some lifestyle english channel wherein i came across a Uk citizen selling "jhalmuri" (a Bengali version of Bhel) on the streets of London.Undoubtedly,that made me proud to see that our Indian Chaat has reached the corners of the world.there can be no such person on this earth who doesnt like chaat.Sweet-Sour chutney (Khajur imli ki chutney),chilli chutney,some fried lentils,puris,coriander,finely chopped onion,tomatoes,coriander are all that go into it and makes a wonder.As one cant resist chaat,one cant resist Shanti fast food chaat too.Its run by a man who migrated to mumbai some decade ago from jaipur.There also he would do the same business.After coming to the city of dreams,for few months he worked at wankhede stadium's food outlet.then he shifted to kandivali,thakur complex,hired a place and started his own chaat corner in the name of shanti fast food.

Shanti Fast food @ kandivali  east

The most popular chaat dishes of shanti are Amul Dabeli,Papdi Chaat,Sev puri,Ragada Pattice,Bhelpuri and the list continues.The eatery is flooded after 5 pm.Its working hours are from 3.00pm to 10pm.The best part of this food stall is this man makes his chutnyes everyday and no stale items are kept in his stall.So one can relax without fear of stomach problems and hog onto his dishes.To be very frank when I went to him for my blog,my stomach was royally upset.Even then I had to eat though in small portions.the man himself is very smilling and greets people with smiles and pampers them with sukha masala puri as a complimentary goodies after they finish their eating.He learnt his culinary skills in Jaipur itself from his boss where he was working.This man realized his passion for chaat and chaat making and thereafter decided to turn his passion into business.This is how Shanti fast food came into being.

both busy serving the flooding orders

its an mazing view to see this man making a dish...!

Sunptuous Dabeli 

This is schezwan chtuney

I tasted Amul dabeli.It was very crispy,perfectly spiced with dabeli vegeables,fried peanuts,sev and pomogrnate kernels.Second was Papdi chaat.this dish turned abit more spicy for me.But it was good.Then we ordered my all time favorite with him -Sevpuri.you take pani puri or sevpuri,Puris are always fresh and crispy.Overall all the dishes were value for money and quite tasty.If you are a chaat lover then Shaanti fast food is must-visit for you.

(photo courtsey:Ganesh Dabholkar)Thank You GD .Your pictures speak more than my article.

chicken sukha.........By Kirti Pataskar

Chicken sukha: Chicken sukha is a dry chicken dish and goes well with rice bhakri or chapati.It is one of the most staple dish in Konkan's homes and restaurants.Though cooking method differs we are here giving you the simple,easy to make and tasty version of the same.Hope you love it.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 Kg Chicken
• 10 Red Chillies
• 2 tbsp Coriander
• 10-12 Pepper Corn
• 1/2 tsp Jeera
• 1/2 tsp Methi
• 2 inches Cinnamon
• 6 Cloves
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• 5-6 cloves of garlic
• 2 Onions
• 2-3 Tomatoes
• 5-6 Curry leaves
• 1 cup Grated coconut
• 1 Lime(small)
• Salt to taste
• 1 tbsp ghee + 1 tbsp Coconut oil

Cooking Method:

Masala Powder: Dry roast red chillies, coriander, methi, jeera, cinnamon and cloves and powder them.

Masala Paste: Grind 1 onion and garlic into a paste. Add grated coconut and grind for a while.
Cut chicken into small pieces. Wash, drain and marinate with turmeric, salt, and lime juice and keep aside.

Heat ghee and oil and fry the chopped onion till golden brown, add chopped tomatoes and saute till oil separates.
Add curry leaves and fry for a while.

Now add marinated chicken. Mix well and allow to cook for a while.

Now add ground masala paste and masala powder, mix well and allow to dry.

Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.

occassion cake shop,kandivali east

As a kid,I was never attracted towards chocolates but all I liked was ice-creams n cakes.That passion  remains with me till today.But as I grew up  the cream cakes and its freshness kept worrying me since my kids n me are being allergic to it.I have experienced renowned cake shops selling a day old cakes guiltfree.But only when I came across Occassion cake shop in Thakur Complex,kandivali east,my notion about stale cakes relieved.Occassion cake shop is owned by maharashtrian young guy,Virendra Sawant.He opened this shop 5 years back and the responsnse is just over-spilling.You can see customers coming to the shop till 10 o'clock at night for buying cakes,pastries,decoration material etc.What makes "Occassion" special and different from other chain of cake shops is their freshness of the cakes and creams.Also,they have customised varieities in cakes and self-invented cakes by Virendra.

various cakes at "occassion"

some best selling cakes-rainbow,chocolate truffle,swiss truffle and black forest

Virendra has opened a second cake shop in Goregaon.When asked Mr.Indrajjit ,the handling person at kandivali shop said,they return their day old cakes and make new ones everyday.One can have their cream cakes with no fear of falling ill...!The shop is open all 07 days a week and its working hours are from 08.00 am to 10.00 pm.This is one of the must-visit cake shop in suburbs.

Mejwani @ kandivali.............By Kirti Pataskar

Well,if you are a kandivali east dweller and pissed off  over the unavailability of authentic maharashtrian sea food or non-veg delicacies, then you no longer need to roll down your tears as there is a fantastic agri restaurant opened in Thakur Complex,kandivali east.This outlet is started around 7-8 months back and as anticipated the response is undoubtedly overwhelming.As a food blogger,I had an urge to go and cover this restaurant with all my tastebuds.I finally decided,took up my photographer friend Amey and went there.You know,if there is anything that makes me happy is when I see any entrepreuner is a woman.That makes me really proud n positively envy..!n Yesss..same is the case with Mejwani.This Restaurant is run by Mrs.Pradnya Patil and her two daughters-Neha and Mrunal.It is in thakur complex,kandivali east and the timings are from 11.00 am.-10.00 pm.(monday closed) . Mejwani serves you the most authentic Agri food.Over the years,among maharashtrian cuisine Agri food has remained "left-out"from public's eye.After tasting it I seriously felt that this food certainly deserves more exploration and publicity.

Mejwani's entrance

        The restaurant's interior is done up with all coastal photographs of Maharashtra forts and their importance written below them.

another wall with historical coastal pictures n its importance

On the second wall,nice pictures of non veg delicacies have been put up.Two ethnic lamps hanging from celing n their yellow light makes one feel warm n familiar to the venue.Those yellow lights also add gloss to the ambience.

one wall with delicacies pictures

The area is relatively small with only two tables and eight chairs.So more n more people opt for "take away"orders.Pradnya tai is very courteous,soft-spoken woman and knows how to handle her guests.She was very busy with her orders,sauteeing,stirring,doughing n frying..!her daughter and one maid were assisting her.There were also delivery boys-Sarvesh n Durvesh.

The elder daughter Neha is great at attending guests.Having a work experience in hotel industry,she is well seeped in this cooking industry too.She precisely confessed that she has tasted the so-called best marathi or konkani  or goan restaurants in the city,but "Maa ke haath ka khana remains unbeatable" for her..

second daughter Mrunal cooking as her mother..!

it was wonderful chatting with Pradnya tai , Neha n a little baby on her lap

We ordered the best selling dish in starter...i.e fried prawns...It had a rice flour coating and the whole prawns were fried.It was served with schezwan chutney.It was crispy ,non-spicy fritters.The prawns inside were properly cooked.We finished off our starter.N there  came Pradnya tai with her hot,puffed up rice flour bhakri with chicken suke (dry chicken n rice flour flat bread).I couldnt believe that the same hands keeping track of money on the counter sometime back had made such beautiful wonders.!! Bhakri was superb..! it just melted on our tongue.Chicken suke was very delicious,not-so-spicy,with prefect mixture of oil,dry coconut n agri masala.I asked Neha that how different Agri food is from malavani food? n she rightly said,that the ground masala is different.The red dry chillies n a couple of more ingredients are different.

fried prawns

rice bhakri n chicken suke

mouthwatering prawns biryani

Nowadays,in most of malavani restaurants,there is no authentic malavani or konkani food.Sometimes,their coconut stinks due to long time storage.Some add coconut cream instead of fresh coconut milk which is again no-no for the best cooking.Mejwani never stores their left-over fish or any sea food.They return it to their vendor or they dispose it off .Finally,its the matter of health,Neha said.We cleaned up two Bhakris n Chicken suke and there came for our joy "prawns biryani"n solkadhi..both the dishes were cherry on the top!heavenly delicious.The fried onions on Prawns Biryani was making a statement..!Solkadhi was wonderful.Unlike,other konkani or kolhapuri food,I was not feeling bloated or burping with the sour taste after food.Again Biryani was made with whole garam masala like cloves, peppercorns,agri masala n whole cooked prawns.I have seen very few places where they cook prawns so meticulously.Sometimes,prawns are left with chewy ,half cooked texture.But here,everything was going above our expectations.The two daughters and Pradnya tai were lovable and affectionate people.I came to know thate ven Pradnya tai's mother is a great cook but unfortunately we couldn't meet her that day.So you see,three generations are cooking and serving you with their love,courtsey n affection in the form of Mejwani..!Please please please go and try this restau...I am sure, like me you too will fall in love with it...!

(L-R)me,Neha with her princess,Pradnya tai n Mrunal

Heritage kitchen

It was mom n dad's anniversary and as usual we kept our minds gruelling about where to go for lunch.All of a sudden i realised that theres a new restaurant open on borivali link road called The Heritage Kitchen.We all went there on a weekday afternoon.Needless to say,since it was weekday,the restaurant was less crowded and we received very good attention n service from all the staff.The restaurant is built with keeping in mind its name "heritage" and has been architectured alike.

We started with the straters first...i.e.dry manchurian.It was our first experience with the outlet n its food.so I was abit more conscious about the palate.The starter cames with a bit more saltiness in it.When we realised we complained it to the staff and staff too showed immediate courtsey to replace the dish but we denied as we had already cleaned it up.Then came main course full of veggies,parathas,rotis,boondi raita nad cherry on the top-kashmiri pulav.Pulav was a hit bacause of its beautiful aroma of desi ghee which reached our nose 3 seconds before the pulav..!it was full of dry fuirts,nuts,veggies..and the main thing was the grain was completely cooked and soft..which was exactly perfect for my parents n children.we relished on it.

Gulkand ice cream

The manager named Allwyn personally came to us to greet and ask about the starter which we complained of.When we got to know that it is my parents' anniversary,he ordered complimentary gulkand flavoured ice cream scoops on which my kids had their hands on..!later,after some time one more plate of ice cream scoops was ordered forcibly by Mr.Allwyn.

Mr.Allwyn In light grey shirt n his prompt staff

we enjoying @ Heritage kitchen

.They also have candle-lit dinners on one day of a week.Next time,I visit there,I am going to taste some Italian dishes there.In all the restau is a good place to visit,dine and relax..