Had been meaning to visit the place, more so since, had recommended it to friends but could not manage to join them.

Last week, after a heavy lunch, was feeling a bit peckish and so decided to try it out. Called up and they said no reservations taken, but since it was already 9 pm, they said come by and we’ll find you a place.

With the humidity, we opted to sit inside, which was pretty full. Ordered a drink and they kindly made a mocktail off the menu for my wife, who is a teetotaller and vegetarian.

We ordered french fries - just perfect, far superior to McD and the ilk. This was followed by onion rings - which were nice, but New Yorker has better. And then asked for a vegetable club sandwich - but had mushrooms - so changed it to Veg Burger (ya ya I know, there is no such thing) which was pretty good in itself, but the accompaniments - wedges and salad were outstanding.

A visit to try out the non vegetarian side of the menu is being planned soon, but overall it just proved why now we do not have to travel all the way to town.

I had first eaten at Faasos in Pune more than a couple of years back and had loved their service and food, So when they opened in Bombay a while ago, passing by, I dropped in and found the same taste and put their number on my speed dial.

Over the past 6-8 months I have ordered half a dozen times and have had sweet-bitter experiences every time - starting from perfect delivery, not being delivered for more than 2 hours and being constantly assured that the boy had left, specifically requesting for change of 500/- and not receiving it etc. etc.

The last order was on Wednesday, when they managed to send an egg roll without onions against an Aaloo+Egg and that too after 4 calls and nearly 60 minutes.

Having said that, the price point has made it a run away success, added to that is the yummy taste of wraps.

The portions are decent. Two wraps are good enough to have your fill.

Now if they only get their delivery right!

I had visited this more than a year ago for drinks and had liked it. We had been planning to go out for brunch and decided to try it out, as it came recommended by a couple of other friends. We made bookings for 12 by Saturday evening.

On reaching there Sunday afternoon, the place was crowded and the desk was puzzled with our reservations. The manager had no clue, whilst the waiter ‘Vikram’ tried to ask somebody to vacate/move so that our party could be accommodated. The reason given was that a lot of these tables were filled with “SnapDeal” offers. Read the rest of this entry »

Suhas & Deepa Awhcat trio of restaurants came to Lokhandwala, in their usual band baja style with a barrage of leaflets, that impressed the wife so much that she decided “We need to try this out” No amount of persuasion works (as I’ve learnt over the years to my detriment).

So one fine evening, off we went, to an evening of Yo Yo….. Valet was yawning away to glory, but ran up and collected the car, on entering the gate, were stopped as if terrorist were about to strike and asked ‘Do you have a reservation’ I said No, but are you really full? because one could see empty tables. One of their senior person walked up and asked “What’s your mobile number?” On being asked Why? the response was “In case you forget something here, we would need to call you” No thanks and we were whisked inside ‘downstairs or upstairs’ came next, with us opting for downstairs. Read the rest of this entry »

I normally do not like to order pizzas from Pizza hut as home delivery, however the family has always ordered and last Friday, the urge to order in after an exhausting day was extremely strong.

So I was designated as the order giver, with specific instructions. Called up Pizza Hut.

PH: Thank you for calling…………
ME: Hello, my number is 26xxxxxx and I would like to place an order please.
PH: Sorry sir our systems are down, may I have your address please.
ME: Can you please take my order
PH: Sorry sir, our systems are down, may I have your address
ME: Sure, but can you first take my order
PH: May I have your address
ME: Of course, I’ll provide that since you would need to deliver, however take my order down.
PH: Your address
ME: (Sternly raising my voice) Young man, Please take the order and then ask for the address.
PH: OK, as you wish
ME: ABC pizza; xyz bread; what is the offer of the day etc…..& I have xxx coupon
PH: Ok sir, your address please
ME: *deeply sighing* 111, abcde, mmnop, opp. aaa,
PH: Sorry sir, our system shows that this address is in Goregaon on the link road.
ME: That must be the same building name, but I do not stay there
PH: No Sir, your address in our system is there only.
ME: (Beginning to lose my cool) Young man, on one hand your system is not working, so that you cannot accept my telephone number; on the other hand, when I am providing my address, you say it is listed in another suburb altogether.
Can I speak to your superior.
PH: Yes Sir, but can I have your correct address.

I disconnected and ordered from my neighborhood shetty - delivery time - 15 minutes.

And this is where the story ends, MNC, high expectations, let down and by the by did not even bother to call back, but I guess ‘Why bother with a person, who is not a regular, does not know his address?’ How about you? Have you had a similar experience? Do share it.

A working day, but my wife surprised me by taking me out for dinner, something that must have happened after ages.

She offered me an option between Mainland China (which we have been to earlier - together/individually) and Caravan Sarai that she’s never been to.

Opting for the latter we reached there quickly, found it sparsely occupied, but nicely chilled and good ambiance.

Ordering a drink each, perusing the menu decided to try Subz kabab (tandoor) and Kokri kabab ( shallow fried). Both tasted lovely accompanied with some nice mint chutney.

Moved on directly to the main course - Veg kolhapuri - nice, spicy but more capsicum and carrots then I normally prefer Dum aloo punjabi - which was pretty good, with thick gravy and just the right consistency.

We decided to try the phudina paratha - excellent; laccha paratha - good; roomali roti (wrapped in silver foil) - cold and have definitely tasted much better.

The chilled veg raita went well with the food, as did the tokri of complimentary papads.

Just as we were finishing, the restaurant started filling up and a large group came next to us, upon which the service went completely downhill, with the waiters too busy to take our dessert order or get the bill.

Finally in exasperation, we got up and paid at the door.

Overall food was worth a visit, however a TV spoils the ambiance and the staff is busy looking at it.

Not as great as the Colaba one. But the Pani Puri’s are the same served with chilled mineral water. The aloo tuk, dahi vada are to die for. You can always round it off with sweets, gulab jamun with kulfi…..

7A, Crystal Plaza, Opp. Infinity Mall, New Link Road, Andheri (W) Mumbai Ph 67023300

You must have read about my travel on the expressway to Pune here. However the action over the two days is recorded in this post.

Immediately on entering Pune, we had to drop off some stuff at Neil’s aka Colonel sister’s place; but we decided to stop by Marz-O-rin on the way for some nice cold coffee (not cold but still tastes just as good) & chicken sandwiches (why O why can bombay not learn). Upon completing reached her place, woke her up from her snooze, delivered the stuff, chatted for a while before reaching our final destination Sunil Rogers (Neil’s Nephew) at Mudwa Road; Next to Magarpatta City. It was nearly 6.30 pm by then, so opted for a snooze before getting up at 8.00pm ready for some action. Since a couple of more friends were already there, opted for some kolhapuri food from Kaveri (unfortunately closed that day) so had to settle for some butter chicken & naans from another place preceeded by some Haig & budhani wafers & samosas. All in all good stuff. During this time, had got in touch with CNB aka Freegeek who introduced me to the Visa system in Bombay. And so cajoled him also into coming over.

The next day, Colonel had wanted to go on Satara road for some misal & vada, but was over ruled. We slept a little late & then on his insistence finally left for Post 91 where the Pune Jazz Club was meeting. Reached there much before time & except the projector plus the speaker were there. However, soon it started picking up with the who is who of Pune joining in (photography was frowned upon) but managed to get a couple of them.

At nearly 3, with Colonel buzzing thanks to Koch insisting on one more beer, we made our way to ABC farms. The idea was Sheesha - where jazz lovers meet up. Lovely place, though pathetic service - we had to get everything replaced with fresh stuff - they were keen on the firangs rather than serve us. And back home, via a dekho at Magarpatta city interiors. A power nap & we were ready to rock & roll again. Freegeek had called up to plan out something, but visitors had landed up, so had to communicate regrets.

However I had not counted on Colonel & Sunil his nephew, who managed to clear up the house by 8pm. Then pushing me to drive rushed to Kaveri to pick up Kolhapuri Mutton Rassa & Chicken Fry. On the way Freegeek was also asked to report quickly. And the evening commenced. Keeping an eye on Freegeek & Sunil’s age we called it a night early by 1 (the previous day was 3 am & Freegeek had gone to office straight:))

Monday dawned bright & early. With a list of things to pick up from Praveen (some achaar, masala); Budhani; Marz-O-rin; Kayani & bruns from some other place & we were ready to hit the Expressway!!!

A couple of weeks ago, a friend called up & on the spur of the moment left for Pune, a city that I like but have not visited since the past couple of years.

We left at around 11 am on a Saturday, quickly passing chembur & hitting the expressway before hunger hit us. My friend claiming to be a Puneite though he has been staying in Bombay for the past 35 years guided me to the petrol pump after the toll for some refreshments. The first stop was for some good Sev Puri at 1.30 in the afternoon, followed up by Dabeli (not too happening) & super Vada Pav, we continued our journey reaching our destination.

After spending 2 nights, we returned on Monday, stopping at the food plaza, where we had some amazing Pohe & Vada again (also carrying some back home)

What was definitely noticed by me was the better quality of food at the food plazas; cleanliness of facilities (OK sponsored by HPCL but whatever).

But the civic sense of people is still pathetic:

• Spitting & throwing junk inspite of the signs & waste basket placed.
• Speaking on the cellphones at the fuel pump & lighting cigarettes
• AND stopping on expressway to use it as a loo or picnic spot.

For our two days in Pune read here.

One of the goals of visiting Baroda this time around was to take my daughter to old places show her how they had changed, visit old food haunts since she was coming with us after nearly half a decade.

And so it started, took her to my old college, station road, Home Science where she used to clamour for Dosa, where a new Soda center hold position; her favorite sandwich wallah AND now that she eats omlette to one of the most famous ones, who have now split and started at another place. Whilst every effort was made to take photographs, I was expressly forbidden most of the times by Dr. Nene & Sumir of their hogging:) But rest assured, Dilip, Manisha, Milind, Sumir, Ajay, Prashant have all been introduced to galli & laari concept, the exception being that they would bring it home and eat. BUT rest assured with the support of the Kids & their better halfs Yeh Din bhi door nahi hai….

I wish I had been able to take more pictures of our gastronomical extravaganzas like room zoom, picassa, etc. etc. However enjoy these!