We pick out hidden gems from legendary dives and eateries ahead of Gatari - a three-day period of indulging in non-vegetarian food and booze before abstaining in the month of Shravan
Illustration/Uday Mohite
Let it pour
Sab ka vilas
Located in the 'burbs, this quintessential dive has been praised for its spacious interiors, quick service and the butter chicken and bar snacks that go well with their dirt-cheap booze.
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TIME: 11 am to 1.30 am
AT: Vilas Restaurant and Bar, Azad Nagar, Andheri West.
CALL: 26345508
COST: Rs 180 (for 180ml rum and 180ml whisky); Rs 220 (for 180ml vodka)
A rum place
This watering hole is one of those no-nonsense drinking establishments that is easy to locate as well. The booze is priced marginally lower than at other dive bars, which means it's nominal. If you
are hungry, order the tandoori chicken.
TIME: 11 am to 3.30 pm, 7 pm to 12.30 am
AT: Ashwin Bar and Restaurant, Safed Pool, Andheri Kurla Road, Sakinaka.
CALL: 28564389
COST: Rs 80 (for 60ml rum)
A beery good time
A little more refined than the typical dive bar, this pub, located in the heart of Chowpatty is frequented by all kinds of people, including college-going yuppies, working professionals and families. The beer towers here seem to be a hit among patrons as they're reasonably priced, making it the perfect place to get happily tipsy on the auspicious occasion.
TIME: 12 pm to 12 am
AT: Cafe General, Marina Mansion, Chowpatty Sea Face, Girgaum.
CALL 23678584
COST: Rs 800 to Rs 1,200 (for beer towers)
Sasta and tikao
This bar with its cheap booze, late '80s hits playlist to which burly uncles dance on their seats, and affordable food, promises the ultimate dive experience. On offer are a plethora of dishes that go well with alcohol. Try the chakna with schezwan sauce and classic bombil fry.
TIME: 10.30 am to 1 am
AT: Adarsh Bar, Link Road, Lokhandwala, Andheri West.
CALL: 26741727
COST: Rs 60 to Rs 70 (for 30ml rum)
Sunshine in a glass
If you are bored of run-of-the-mill dives then visit this watering hole located in a lane of Kalbadevi. Popular among drinkers of all ages, the place attracts as many college students as lawyers from the many consultancies in Fort as well as other professionals. Patrons love the jukebox and the affordable alcohol. The menu offers Malwani cuisine. We hear that it's at least 30 per cent cheaper than other bars in and around that area.
TIME: 9 am to 12 am
AT: Sunlight Restaurant And Bar, Ravindra House, Dhobi Talao.
CALL: 22054959
COST: Rs 80 (for 30ml rum and 30ml whisky)
Pic/Shadab Khan
Meat your needs
Thali temptation
Celebrate the "night of the gutter" with an exquisite mutton thali at this Bandra joint. It includes crispy mutton cutlets, spicy mutton Kolhapuri, kombdi masala, mast kolambi fry, masala bhaat, dahi kachumber, sol kadi, bhakri and mango sheera.
FROM: August 10 to 12, 12.30 pm to 3 pm
AT: Soul Fry, Pali Mala Road, Bandra West.
CALL: 26046892
COST: Rs 450
Fried goodness
While many eateries across the city get the seafood favourite aka bombil fry right, our pick is the one at a Versova restaurant. It's a hit with the locals and you have to try it to find out what we mean.
TIME: 12 pm to 3.15 pm, 7 pm to 12 am
AT: Malwani Kalwan, Om Cottage, 7 Bungalows, Andheri West.
CALL: 9870370399
COST: Rs 246
Pic/Pradeep Dhivar
Get some brains
Only few diners are open to the idea of eating offal. The bheja fry masala thali at a newly opened eatery in Dadar is for the true carnivores. The dish is served with a roti, a portion of rice and chutneys.
TIME: 11 am to 3.30 pm, 7 pm to 12 am
AT: Sarangaa, Veer Savarkar Marg, Prabhadevi.
CALL: 8976476447
COST: Rs 270
Shell your soul
Crab meat might not be everyone's favourite because it's cumbersome to eat but the reward lies in the soft meat ensconced within. If that sounds like your idea of a good meal, head to a hidden gem beside Goregaon station that has gained legendary status for the quality of its crab masala.
TIME: 11 am to 3.30 pm, 7 pm to 12 am
AT: Satkar Rice Plate House, first floor, Dreamland Building, next to railway station, Goregaon East.
CALL: 26850303
COST: Rs 220
Pic/Sneha Kharabe
Saoji khao ji
Nagpur's cuisine is called Saoji and this dish is a tribute to the city. It's a spicy red gravy made with onion, coriander, palak, ginger, garlic and mirchi powder. You get mutton and chicken variants.
TIME: 11 am to 3 pm; 6 pm to 11.30 pm
AT: Minks - The Nagpur Saoji Treat, Monarch Chambers, Marol, Andheri East.
CALL: 29204303
COST: Rs 280 (mutton); Rs 240 (chicken)
Pic/Pradeep Dhivar
Fishy business
Surmai takes pride of place on every Maharashtrian eatery's menu. And it's the highlight at this Dadar joint, too. While these guys are famous for their seafood, if we had to name one of all the dishes, we would pick the surmai curry, which comes in a thali.
TIME: 11 am to 3.30 pm, 7 pm to 12 am
AT: Chaitanya, Chinchh Bhatt Chawl, SK Bole Road, Dadar West.
CALL: 30150827
COST: Rs 250
Also check out
* Aparna Lunch Home and Bar, Sion (24043311)
* Swagat Dining Bar, Vakola (26685151)
* Gopal Krishna Boarding House, Dadar West (9820957693)
* Aishwarya Resto Bar, Chembur (25295633)
* Akshaya Bar & Restaurant, Vasai (2502332182)
* Shree Sainath Restaurant, Wadala (24128174)
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