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