Pan ka BHAGWAN @ Chembur

Recently CAT enjoyed post dinner Pan with a group of friends and the venue was Chembur.

The key highlight is - almost entire Chembur knew and recommended Bhgawan Pan centre.
CAT asked hardware stores, auto-drivers, commuters and all has one answer ... "achcha maghai paan to 'Bhagwan' ke paas hi milega!".

The "Nazaqat" / actions involved (although CAT would still say "Nazaqat") is just awesome!!
"Sahab pehle aap pan khao aur fir batao kya kum ya jyada chahiye"shows the confidence in Pan - which was evident on receiving the Pan.
CAT firmly believes that Pan is 'Dish of Customization' - there is no standard taste of pan even if two people make it with the same ingredients.

Cat tried two to three varieties of "Maghai" paan & all of those exceeded the expectations.

I recommend to driving on Pune Mumbai route to visit Bhagwan Pan Centre ... for juicy journey! It is good to chew a Pan than bubble gum / ghutka, what say? To be tasty, food need not be special  / branded ... simplicity served with pure heart is good enough ....

This place is "Foodie-CAT recommendation" in Chembur. CAT is happy to shout "Miyaon" here.

Pan Bahaar -
Miyon

Nectarus n Nice Nasik Food

Cat had been to Nasik recently. Cat had wonderful experience - The auto drivers,  shopkeepers, common people, hotel staff, everyone is so positive and helpful that cat is completely amazed.
During education days CAT spent more than 6 months in this city... those old memories of dosa at canada corner, sabudana vada, sev bhaji, Nescafe pastry are so fresh even today.
While entering the city (early morning 4 am) after nearly Ten years there was a mixed feeling  - a thought just brushed "are these college-time good things gone now? Especially after seeing the bridges, huge roads, buses, etc...(fear of urbanization?)...
The following places convinced me - that Nasik still retains its charm and the style.

Vishwa Point - Mahila Griha Udyog:
You are promised to get excellent homely, tasty, huygenic and fresh food at this place.
Kande Pohe - remind CAT the one that are perfect 'Sunday Pohe'.
Misal - very good - with all possible healthy pulses; it brings in the unique taste.
Sabudana Khichadi - will force you to go on holy fast.... just awesome. The special cucumber raita is really USP, it just fits in so well with the taste.
Thalipith - will directly remind you of your grand-mom - who would offer 'Home made Butter (LONI)'.

Their are other options as well; however CAT also has limitation on how much to eat in a go.

The specialty of this place lies in - presentation with the apt side choice  (just what is needed, not more, not less e.g. Chutney with poha and thalipith, dahi and cucumber raita with khichadi).

The seasonal dishes are the cherry on the top - we were fortunate to enjoy Gavhachi Kheer (Wheat Kheer). Puranpoli, Aliv and Dink Ladu are other such seasonal specialties here.

For all lovers - here is the address: Radha Niwas, Gole Colony, Nasik 2.

This place is "Foodie-CAT recommendation" in Nasik. CAT is happy to shout "Miyaon" here.


Sai Chhatra Pan - Maghai Pan Samrat
If you are pan lover + you are in Nasik - you will get blessed by 'Sai Chatra'.

To end the day with the amazing 'Maghai Sada Pan', CAT was guided to 'Sai Chatra'.


Mere entry to the shop convinces you that you are going to get one of the great Pan in your lifetime.

 Extremely calm approach of the owner - just similar to the 'Niranjana' / 'Diya' that welcomes you and good attention to all your instructions - coupled with a particular approach in Pan-making makes it 'The THING' you are waiting for.




There are flavor chutney options available. The masala pan gets served in the 'Drona' - CAT honestly believes that - Drona and Palas-Pan brings the natural sense to Pan...  those  foils, sweets-box, butter paper wraper takes out the fun.

Pan is "Shringar" and it has to be presented like an ornament - WHOLA: just look at the presentation at "Sai Chhatra" - would you still dare to say no???

Flavored Chutney, Packaging, availability of different supari (including chips), availability of all type of pans at any given time makes it a "Foodie-CAT recommendation".

CAT is delighted to chew a pan here - with an agreement that Sai Chhatra is "Maghai Pan Samrat", CAT is happy to shout "Miyon" here.


wonderful people, wonderful food - it's Nasik.
Miyon.

Kalyan - foodie paradise

I should not tell this to old Kalyankar - how well established foodie spots have been there in Kalyan.

Let me list few:

Thakkar Samosa, Kachori (Tilak Chawk): you have to be on time & ready to be part of the big crowd waiting to eat to take away the Samosa from this place. The chutney served with this is unique.
Boo Point: Attitude of folks working here. Do not ask this fellow to give you chutney in a bag, no matter how convenient it is for you the staff is adamant to give it in paper even if it deteriorates the samosa.
Birla college bread cutlet: Well known as Aunty's cutlet & great part is - you will now get the same in Rambaug.
Boo point: No place to eat there at Rambaug stall & takeaway is no fun.
Khidki & Bhagdad / Darwaja Vada: Best vada pav CAT ever had. Taste has not changed over the years along with the spot and chutney.
Boo Point: If profits are earned over years add facility & please keep change / coins in the store.
Hari vitthakla & Kshudha Shanti misal: CAT wrote about this in earlier misal related posts. Even this has maintained its style and appeal over the years without changing the taste.
No Boo Point.
Ganeshghadt Icecream: Gulkand icecream is sold here in a Maruti van and it is just awesome. This started with the development of the creek area.
No Boo Point.
Tilak Chawk Khare sengdane: Khara sing, chana, churmura all such stuff is being sold over the years at this place. You are guaranteed to get fresh hot khara sing most of the time throughout the day.
No Boo Point.
Appam, Idali counter opposite Teli Sons (Gandhi Chawk): This stall with its unique taste offers discounts for elders... may be as a social service.
No Boo Point.
Dip Jyoti / Malhar Pav Bhaji: Again long tradition in kalyan. One shoud visit both the spots when in Kalyan.
No Boo Point.
Pani puri Stalls near Krishna Talkies: All chat stuff and good taste and preparation.
Boo Point: Hygiene.
Kalyan farsan mart 'Farsan & Bhusu': You should not leave kalyan without buying the farsan and bhusu from this place. Sells mithaai & other stuff, however CAT will recommends Farsan and Bhusu.
Boo Point: Occasionally Farsaan has 'too much' soda. Taste before you buy.
Anant Halwaai Mithaai: Ample of Mithaai's but CAT will recommend Amba Barfi & Kalyan Halwa - these are unique ones.
Boo Point: The staff needs to be more polite; you may find few funny creatures here...but safely ignore them for the taste.
Mawa quality is not sustained over the years; avoid the fancy mithaai.



Enjoy food -
Miyon

Welcome Monsoon!

The monsoon is right here... CAT is inside its home in balcony enjoying the rain outside.

A friend of mine told me nothing can beat having glass of visky with hot pakoda, rosted grenn chilly with pinch of salt on a sunday afternoon, all are asleep its raining outside - its just you watching rain with your drink and good 'typical monsoon' chakhna.

I wish all readers (from India) a happy monsoon - a word of caution: avoid street food - however tempting it is, inspite of being strrrrrreett food lover, CAT avoids street food for first 3 weeks or so in monsoon.
The atmosphere, environment, default hygiene conditions are such that recommend avoiding spicy, roadside, deep fried food for few days - no matter how tempting it is to eat vadapav, bhaji, pavbhaji, chat on the foodcounter / hotel near you.

Look at culture - "ashadhi ekadashi, shravan - all suggest having home made & bit less than what you need in this season". I think the primary reason is change in water. If we eat the food which is hard to digest, we end up drinking more water & water in this season is not that good for health.

So try avoiding, but if can not .... then have all delicious "home-made" monsoon food in limited quantity.

Some of my favorite monsoon dishes in image form for you .... it will surely tempt you to grab one!

 

 


enjoy safe food -
Miyon 

Corn Frankie at Mahabaleshwar

Most of us visit Mahabaleshwar for cool breeze or to get a bit of relief from the summer.
CAT went there as it was a family get together spot.

While roaming, CAT sensed a unique fragrance - and it was of corn pattice. With the cool breeze, day full of strawberries, and strawberry flavoured dishes, this one was absolute mouthwatering.

Being there with entire family, CAT spent a considerable time on this stall (while the order was getting ready).
Here are CAT-findings during the time spent:
-> the attitude of the shop kepper is a big differentiator, well done man!
-> the cleanliness, hygiene, and of course the taste - none of these is compromised.
-> high probability of you getting a freshly fried corn pattice for your frankie.
-> good customization available - for kids, for spicy food lovers, with / without onion, etc.


The taste of this Corn Pattice Frankie is absolutely fantastic. No one can resist the tempting offer of another one.

This is not yet another stall that sells the corn pattice frankie. Cat has spotted the landmark as well. This stall is in front of Hotel President. The following snaps would give you more insight.

CAT tip - do taste the first one without customization & then go for customized frankie.
If you are in a group order 2/3 have a bite and then decide. Most of you, almost 85% would like to go with the default taste - without any change.

Overall - If you are at Mahabaleshwar then do visti Mahabaleshwar market not just for shoppoing but for this CAT recommendation - Corn Pattice Frankie.

Enjoy Food -

Miyaaon.

Summer of school

Always my memory of summer vacation starts with the last paper. The last 10 minutes (after the warning bell) of this paper used to be a relax timezone for me - in my opinion I never messed up the last paper, but never paid any attention or correction in the last 10 minutes of last paper.

The next best foodie attraction was - Vadilal Kingcone! Recent Amul Tricone. I cannot forget the happiness of munching the first bite of kingcone - just after the exam.

The second attraction was always 'pepsicola'. We had unbranded pepsicola during our time with two varieties - milk & water. We used to preserve those pepsicola bags & used to fill it with home made 'sharbat'. Then came the first branded pepsicola for me (there could be others, I recollect only this one) - Ojo. Now, you can find it with the name 'flavored ice'. This image will probably rejuvenate your thoghts -

Pepsicola

Barfgola and Chammach were another ice delicacies; the pullcart with special machines to desiccate ice (rotating machine & one basic with blade - the shopkeeper used to desiccate the ice with protecting cloth in his hand).
You might recollect LIC advertisement - that shows both the varieties of ice delicacies. Multicolored flavors have made my summer vacations colorful. I remember few varieties
Barfgola - single, dual & tripple flavor
Sp gola - with jelly on it as a topping & some decoration of desiccated coconut
Chammach - half & full

Barfgola & Chammach

The last one were Soda mix Shurbat & Doodh cold-drink (today's soda pub & flavored milk).

Childhood foodie flavors are hard to forget. Even today, for my daughter I get all these delicacies - in different form - few in malls, few as a chain centers. Good thing is that - Indian taste of summer vacation still persists, only the packaging has changed.

Kolisare-Ganpatipule-Malgund-Ratnagiri

It was a pilgrimage where I had wonderful food experience!!!

All the places are near Ratnagiri - roughly 1.5 hours journey from there.
Let me share the "foodgrimage" sequentially...

Kolisare: - A beautiful temple in the valley & authentic, untouched beauty of Konkan - where monkeys are vigilant - you need to take care of your food bags. You will find the rare variety of 'chafa' - Lakdi Chafa.
Reaching temple itself is satisfactory experience & the spring water (purest form known to me - better than mineral water) takes away all travelling pains.
Bhakta nivas @ Kolisare is true konkani house. And you get excellent breakfast - pohe! Fresh poha (rice flakes) - always I have notices that poha @ konkan has its unique flavor - probably because of the rice quality. The desiccated coconut topping brings the real fun.

Malgund: - Great place for Lunch is here. Home made vegetarian food at its best awaits for you. CAT hates Bhindi (Okra) BUT in Malgund, CAT ate veg. okra to the fullest!!! Full credit to this place for retaining all flavours of all spices. The icing is - pre-order Modak.
Well without wasting much time - This is 'SWAD DINNIG' in Malgund! Its 100% veg - but worth visiting.
Do not forget to call (91-02357-235162) & check for special pre-order menu available for the day.
If you ever visit Ganpatipule - go to lunch at SWAD.

Ganpatipule:- Multiple options are available - from konkani food to chinese. CAT preferred Street food - Pav Bhaji. There is a 'khopta' before hotel Durvankur @ Ganpatipule - and the guy makes great pav bhaji.
CAT found that it is good dinner option after a day full of temples & just after the fun at beach.

Kolhapur Belgaon Road Trip

Last week I enjoyed kolhapur-belgaum road-trip with my friends. I am frequent visitor to these places.

We started from mumbai at around 4.00 evening & reached kolhapur at 2.00 early morning.

We stayed at Hotel International.
Dinner till 3.00 midnight / morning, good rooms, excellent staff, drinks - all make Hotel International @ Kolhapur a perfect place for a group of friends. It serves 100% veg food.

We went to Belgaon and enjoyed "fresh" Ooos / Ganna / Sugarcane. I do not think that anyone would have used "Fresh" for ganna - but after eating it you would realise that the sugarcane juice you get in metro cities is useless, and this mades "Fresh" ganna. Belgaon "Kunda" and "Kardanta" does not need any introduction... you can buy it from many "Purohit" outlets. There might be "original purohit" shops - if you could out one then buy from them. Even if you couldn't - it's ok. I purchase from differnt purohit shops & always I have got "fresh" kunda.

Paan is another close-to-heart topic for me.
I do not recommend adding tambakhu and other herbal powders in paan. I am lover of "Rajnigandha chatni flavor" or any similar flower based flavor. We asked a auto driver to take us to the famous paan shop in Kolhapur and we were right at - Amita Pan Shop. It is good place. There are good options and varieties available. Certain branded elements like "Baba Supari & Eliachi" were not available - probably because of local preferences.
CAT analysis -  CAT was there for 15 minutes approx & roughly more than 30 pans were delivered in that time. So in peak hours the shop delivers 1.5 to 2 pans a minute in kolhapur - good indication of being popular.
So next time, if you want to have a good pan in Kolhapur do visit Amita Pan Shop.

We came back from Belgaon & had a missal' craving. There are so maaany options exist in Kolhapur.
We went to Hotel Ahaar - in the evening roughly at 6.30. The shop was still serving missal - which is rare scene at missal shops. Usually by 3.30 / 4.30 missal gets over.
This place starts serving missal since early morning 6.30. Good missal - red "tari" made it "The kolhapuri missal". After a long walk on Rankala lake it is worth catching a rick & visit Ahaar for good misal.

CAT never returns from kolhapur without "Sangeet Chivada". It is  a tradition going for 90+ years. The chivada is just amazing and unique and with every bite you can feel the tradition of this land. Your bag should have this when you return from kolhapur. It is just opposite the main gate of Mahalakshmi mandir.
Anyone would tell you about this shop - now this is termed as tradition and popularity.

Mahalakshmi Saras 2012

Foddies @ mumbai, should be rushing to Mahalakshmi Saras 2012 @ Bandra.

Apart from handicraft you should visit food court -
1. Hurda bhakri
2. Hurda Thalipith
3. Bhakri Matan
4. Kombadi Vade
5. Bhaji not bhaaji
6. Ice gola
7. Kandi pedhe
8. Kulfi
9. Bhutta and much more.

On stalls you would get
1. Sangali bhadang
2. Laal tandul - ukadiche & hatsadiche
3. Sukha bhel
4. Sukat
5. Kakvi
6. Papad
7. Indian Pasta - a unique one there!

rush  - donot miss, have fun!