Simple pleasures

From the popular shrikhand and puran poli to the lesser-known pudachi wadi and kola pohe, here are swadisht eats to bring in Maharashtrian new year

Say it with love!

This Maratha-themed restaurant is a great place to devour true Marathi flavours. From the simple ambat god varan—a basic lentil curry, or the extremely delectable sabudana khichdi; all the dishes made here are nailed to perfection. For padwa, try their srikhand puri, batata sukhi bhaji, puran poli, masala bhat and katachi amti.
WHERE: Diva Maharashtracha, Mili Building, Takandas Kataria Marg, Shivaji Park, Dadar
PRICE: Rs 200 onwards
CALL: 022 2444 0707

Keep it simple

Right in the middle of a Maharashtrian locality in Thane, this quirky decor themed restaurant has developed a name for its fast and friendly service and lip-smacking food. The menu is limited so you may not have too much to choose from but their padwa-special puran poli and seasonal phansachi (jackfruit) bhaji and kaju bhaji must not be missed. Thane resident Aniket Likhite recommends, kothimbir wadi and pithla thalipeeth. 
WHERE: Methkut, 1,2 Zala Saffire, Ghantali Mandir Road, Thane (West)
PRICE: Rs 100 onwards
CALL: 9136121900

Old is gold

Old timers will tell you how, back in the day, they once travelled a distance to have Mama Kane’s piyush. “Back in the ‘80s, it was our idea of bliss,” says Dr Sharat Kolke, a patron of the place. They have been serving authentic Maharashtrian dishes for over a century now. Try kothimbir vadi, sabudana khichdi, misal pav and rice plates which are full-fledged meals. Wash it down with their in-house juices like kokum, aam panna, ginger lemon and amla—all made from scratch with fresh ingredients, and without preservatives.
WHERE: Mama Kane’s Swatchha Upahar Griha, Smruti Kunj, Senapati Bapat Marg, Dadar West,
PRICE: Rs 42 onwards
CALL: 24221161

Two’s company

Celebrate Gudi Pawda with some delicious Maharastrian food by this mother-daughter duo from Malad. Trupti Jog has been running her food business for 28 years and partnered with daughter Janhvi when she realised that she was inclined to cooking . Ukadi che modak, puranpoli, masala bhaat are loved by their clients and for padwa, they are also known for the variety of shrikhands including elaichi, kesar, strawberry, litchi among others.
WHERE: Jog Kitchen, Malad 
Price: Rs 8 onwards
CALL: 8369255908

Home special

What started as a way to make ends meet during the pandemic is now a full-fledged home catering business. Hema’s kitchen is known for healthy, traditional homemade food that won’t drill a hole in your pocket. This year, on the padwa menu, they have varan bhaat, masale bhaat, dryfruit aloo dry sabji, vaalache bhirde, koshimbir, dryfruit kesar shrikhand, puri (four pieces) or phulkas (three pieces) and bhajiyas.
PRICE: Single Meal Rs 225 Family Meal Rs 855 (serves 4)
CALL: 8976764660

Forgotten flavours

Chef Parag Joglekar’s traditional marathi vegetarian restaurant is all about the forgotten traditional flavours from the Maharashtrian native place. Besides the usual Puneri misal and piyush, you must try dishes that don’t usually feature on regular menus—for instance, curry vada, vatli dal karanja, pudachi wadi, kola pohe among others.
WHERE: Trupt Potoba, Sarvoday Bhuvan, Gokhale Road, Dadar West
PRICE: Rs 200 for Thali
CALL: 9920054300

A little bit of summer

With a legacy of serving authentic cuisine in a royal Maharashtrian decor, Dadar’s Aaswad’s padwa menu is all about comfort food and a feeling at home. The owner of the 36-year-old eatery Suryakant Sarjoshi says, “Padwa also marks the onset of summer and hence, the delicacies feature delicious summer treats like  tangy raw mangoes spiced up with tadka in ambe dal, and summer coolers like kairi panhe that is in very high demand. Our specialty, aamras puri is made with fresh, hand-crushed mangoes. This time, usually basundi and srikhand are also a hit.”
WHERE: Aaswad Upahar & Mithai Grih, Opposite. Shiv Sena Bhavan, Dadar (West)
PRICE: Rs 100 onwards
CALL: 24451871

All the way from Kolhapur!

After serving up delicious, spicy regional fare for 18 years in Kolhapur, MH09, Shetkari is in Thane with a menu of familiar Maharashtrian specialties served in a simple, low-key setting. Their non-vegetarian fare is popular but the vegetarian spread is great, too!
WHERE: MH09, Shetkari, Shop no 5, Jeevan Vikas Kendra Marg, Louis Wadi, Thane West
PRICE: Rs 150 onwards
CALL: 9869026771

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