Shahi Shakahari Dawat in Ghatkopar

A pure veggie like a CAT wants to throw a treat - most of friends are vegetarian with few who want to enjoy the meal over sip of cocktails / drinks. In such a situation a angle (doot in Sanskrit) should be there to guide you.

Fortunately, CAT found one such doot - "Meghdoot" at Ghatkopar west.

The occasion was to celebrate the combined happiness from good luck, increment, promotions and everything that calls for a wonderful dinner party.

 


A meghdoot, the staff offers one of the fastest service!
You order and it is there on your table - if it is getting delayed, you are guaranteed to get some biting.

We enjoyed variety of dishes and drinks. CAT was impressed with one and thus will recommend it for all - Mashroom tandoor.

To end our long and lively party we ordered rice, dal fry, raita, biryani and aaloo jira.
The exceptional presentation and good taste of all the above was the cherry on the top! It gave a wonderful finishing touch.

What is missing is - a genuine maghai PAN after such a delicious and 'shaahi' dinner. Of course, meghdoot can not do much here ... But CAT would strongly recommend Meghdoot to look into adding a in house  post meal maghai offering. This will take the experience altogether to the next level!

A veggie's doot in Ghatkopar - Meghdoot
- Miyon

Paneer ka BAAP!!!!

CAT had been to the Cream Centre @ Oberoi - Goregaon.

One of the wonders here is "Paneer Ka BAAP!" sizzler. Indian taste, exotic preparation style and a "hatke" name all these are present in one dish!

As CAT understands this dish - it is a signature dish of Cream Centre; and why not?

If in one sizzler you get paneer tikka(red), paneer kali mirch tikka(with black paper), paneer green tikka / hariyali tikka, yellowish paneer - all fresh from tandoor - then it has to be the BAAP of any other sizzler.

If you are part of a group with paneer lovers visiting Cream Centre you should try this sizzler - look at it as a combo pack.

Paneer Ka BAAP is served with the Rice & sauce which brings all necessary 'Indian' flavors; sizzling vegetables compliment the paneer-rice pack very well.

CAT ordered plain paratha (CAT likes to eat paneer dry with paratha and green chutney) & it generated altogether a new taste and additional choice -  paneer with paratha & paneer with rice.

So next time you are planning to be at Cream Centre - do try out Paneer ka BAAP! And witness why in Mumbai they say someone or something is "BAAP".

Enjoy Food
-Miyon

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.