Ashok Vada Pav

This one is an old time favourite for me and the taste buds only crave for more and more after you have had it once...This is the Ashok Vada Pav.. Vada Pav, a dish which is synonymous with Mumbai and Ashok's Vada Pav only makes it all the more popular. Located in a lane right outside Kirti College in Prabhadevi- Dadar area is this very small eatery which serves piping hot Vada Pav's from 11am to 11pm. The proprietor is Ashok Bhau and he is the man who runs the show at this joint. You will find the joint filled with photos of awards that he has won over the years for being the Best Vada Pav in the city. He also boasts of clientele like Shahrukh Khan who used to visit his joint in his early days.

I had my first Vada Pav at the joint in the year 2000 for Rs.6. Today its gone on to become Rs. 15 but its all terrific value for money. The Vada Pav has the three basic chutneys - the sweet chutney, the spicy chutney and the red colour dry garlic chutney. The icing on the treat is the chura that is liberally stuffed inside every Vada Pav that gives you lovely crunchiness along with the flavours of the chutney and the Vada. One also has the option of another dish called the Chura Pav which has the pav stuffed with the chura and the chutney minus the vada which is also very popular.
The place is hygienic and he claims to use the best oil and changes the oil twice a day. The hallmark of this place is a huge crowd in the evenings past 6 but do not be perturbed by it. Patience is the key; Its always worth the wait. I have never seen anyone disappointed with this Vada Pav. Try out this amazing flavour of Mumbai and I bet that no one can eat just one.

The delcious Vada Pav

Ashok at work

Sardar Pav Bhaji

Sardar Pav Bhaji.. Located in the busy Tardeo area of Sobo..A pure vegetarian joint Sardar Pav Bhaji as the name suggests is a complete Pav Bhaji specialist. A non airconditioned restaurant with a simple ambience serves what is termed as one of the best Pav Bhaji's in Mumbai. The name of the Pav Bhaji is known as the Amul Pav Bhaji and that is first impression you get when you see the Pav Bhaji. One will always find a lump of Amul butter on top of the bhaji; call it the USP or call it the drawback for the diet conscious guys but it definately adds a lot of taste to bhaji. The Pav Bhaji no doubt has an amazing taste which the right balance of spice that tastes brilliant with the onion and lemon provided in a seperate dish. Look around and you will not find a single table that does not have a Pav Bhaji on the table. Couple it with a juice and that will complete your meal. Service at Sardar can be slightly be a put-off because they serve in lots with the waitor bringing in a pile of bhaji's and then a pile of Pav's that can serve the entire restaurant. Priced at Rs.80, the Pav Bhaji definately suits your pocket and more importantly your taste buds!!

Govinda's Restaurant- Iskcon, Juhu

So here we were, to experience a unique ONLY vegetarian Buffet restaurant for lunch and dinner based in Mumbai’s Juhu. The uniqueness lies in the fact that it is actually based in a temple called Iskon and makes EVERY food item without any onion and garlic. It is a case of sheer ignorance assuming that food without onion and garlic will be anything but tasty. But, really wanted to try this one.

                A board outside the restaurant displays “Todays Menu” with excitingly written dishes they serve for that day (Eg: Mazedaar Chole). When inside, you see white marble walls, photographs of Lord Krishna with fine encrypted design and Krishna chants being played in the background. And you realize you are in the temple premises and not a normal fine dine.

               You need to buy coupons for your Thali first (Rs. 350/-) and then head to your table.

 Starting with the welcome drinks- Rose Milk, Jalzeera, Mixed Juice and Chaas- Unlimited serving. The rose milk was little on the milkier side garnished with real rose petals. Jalzeera was good but nothing extra ordinary. Same goes for the mixed juice. The Chaas, however, was a perfect salt and sweet blend. Just Perfect!!

                An extremely simple Vegetable soup was served piping hot first. It felt like something full of nutrition is going down my system. So clean and tasty. Without any corn flour. Divine.  Moving on to the great spread of Starters and Salads. The Green salads and Bean (Mexican) Salads. Both good. In starters they had Tandoori Arbi, Banana Pakora and White Dhokla. All three made extremely well. To go with them was Green Chutney, Imli Chutney and Pickle.

                Moving on to the main course. They had “Mazedaar Chole” and Paneer Subzi. And Surprise Surprise!! They also had Thai vegetable gravy with Thai noodles. Without Garlic? Yes. How does one even differentiate this food from the ones with Onion and Garlic? The food is exquisite yet simple. In breads they had option of Puri, Bhatura, Roti and Paneer Methi Parath. And all four were amazingly well made. The Bhaturas were very light and soft and went well with the Chole.

                In rice, they served Vegetable Biryani, Plain rice and Corn-capsicum rice companied with the Dal Tadka, it was just the perfect thing ever.

                The dahi kadhi, not too sweet and not too sour and the Apple Raita to go with it. Both, superb!!

And then comes my favourite part, the Desserts. You have an option between Balushahi, Gulab Jamun and Malai Sandwich. To go with it is Fresh Strawberry ice cream, malai kulfi and chocolate ice cream. The Gulab Jamun were hot and soft. The Malai Sandwich was juicy and fresh and the Balushahi full of liberally poured Ghee. The fresh strawberry ice cream actually had real strawberries.

                All in all, Govinda just proves a point, that for food to be ravishingly good, it need not be spicy and buttery. Once in a while, quietly eating the simple tasty food, listening to Krishna chants and watching the Firangis enjoy their food, is what you need in life. No photography allowed so no yummy food pics this time :-)

                Simple. Tasty. Divine. Hare Rama Hare Krishna. The temple is also the place to visit for those who haven't been there yet :-) Let me your experience of the other dishes here and don't forget to share them.

Saayba - Bandra

Located on the busy SV road in Bandra, for over 25 years now,
home to the famous Malwani cuisine of Maharashtra is SAAYBA.
This place is a heaven for the Non vegetarian especially the fish lovers.
Vegetarians can try the Veg thali (only option unfortunately).
Sorry to dissapoint the Veggies on this one :-) The ambience might not be one of the best but the food they offer more than makes up for it.
I personally love starting off with the Sol Kadhi or Kokam Kadhi which is a lovely pink colour drink.

It is coconut milk and Kokam (available on the entire konkan belt) with a spicy, sweet and sour taste.

Amaaazin Appetizer :-) The Sea Fishes prepared in Malvani style are the highlight here. Fried fish like bombay duck, surmai, Prawns
and pomfret are a must have.
The Chicken Sukha Sagoti is the typical Malwani Chicken coupled with Wade which look like our home made puri.
Its a super combination for the main course. Also try the Fish tikhala
Basically a fish preparation in orange gravy (Spicy!) available with different fishes.
Meal for two is around 500 that really suits the pocket. If you come around Bandra and craving for non-veg, leave out the fine dine's; try this once, you'll love it i hope :-)

The Bombay Duck with Sol Kadhi

Wade - Chicken

Jacky Bhelpuriwala

Hi Guys, here's the first of "must-have foods" in Mumbai...tucked away in a bylane at JVPD scheme is Jacky Bhelpuriwala.. Serving you roadside sev puri, bhel and panipuri  and a few other dishes. The Sev- puri is my personal favourite, guys having trouble with spicy food beware. The taste of the sev puri is nothing but one of the best i've had in Mumbai. Amazing chutneys and sev over it. Get the best service before 6 in the evening; gets choc a bloc post that. Don't forget to try the lovely quantity of fulfulling bhel he serves. Ask for your complimentary warm and crispy kurmura and sev that soothes the spicy effect on your tongue more than water could. Landmark is Jitendra's Bungalow ;-)
Catch you guys for more roadside and typical mumbai food soon enough. Cheerss!!!