If you haven't tried the vadapav from Shree Datta Snacks on Mumbai-Pune Expressway then you should definitely try it! So, when you happened to be on the expressway, do visit this.

I recently visited this place. When I saw this place, it was flocking with people. Looking at the place and the crowd I thought I should head to the nearby McDonald's but then my friends suggested that I should try it. There was a long queue to place order. Secondly, you need to look for a place like I mentioned it was very crowded. Once, you have passed these two stages, you need to collect your food as it is a self service system here. Now, you can eat peacefully, you can say you have won the battle 😜 just kidding..

We ordered the below food items and they were really worth the struggle. Let me help you with out menu -

A) Vada with red chutney

Batata vada

B) Kothimbir vadi with chutney

Kothimbir vadi

C) Misal pav

Misal pav

Some more pictures -

Misal

Feel free to share my posts, page with your family, friends, relatives to share such wonderful experiences through food, places or thoughts 😇 Thank you all!
For more pictures, you can also check my zomato account - @dhungrysouls and follow me :)

This place is situated in the happening lane of Andheri Lokhandwala. It's a tough choice to make when one is in this lane as to which place would be the perfect one for me tonight.

As this was a new place, we thought of exploring this. It has a huge space with tables outside and a dance floor inside which usually begins after 9.30pm. They do have happy hours of 1 + 1 and some other offers too as this is a new place but I would suggest you to check before hand to be on the safer side.

Our motive was to eat so we jumped to the starters.
A) Chakana platter - It had combination of few starters from their menu which consisted of khichiya nachos (something different yet tasty), herbed French fries (again good), masaledar corn chat (wasn't that masaledar but taste wise it was ok) and crunchy kabuli channa (ok in taste not crunchy as the name suggested) but it was worth the price instead of ordering all these items individually. It costed us 350 bucks whereas individual price was 200 per item.

Chakana platter

Khaas seekh kebab

Being a South Indian from Tulunad, I have always been very keen in knowing about the culture, the stories behind all our customs and traditions that we follow. With the same curiosity in me, I wanted to know about Aati and Sona months of the year. So, I did a little research here and there and I have something interesting to share with you.

Today's day is known as Aati da Amaase. The month that immediately follows Aati is, Sona in other terms, it is known as Shravana. On the day of Aati amavesya, it is said that one should have Paaleda Kasaya which is extremely bitter in taste. It cleanses the digestive tracks and is said to have lot of medicinal power to fight diseases. Therefore, one is advised to have this on an empty stomach to remain fit and fine throughout the year.

Aati Amavasya

Paale da Marra ta kette

Also Aati is the month where we remember our forefathers and worship them. No festivals or good work is initiated during this time. Once this month is over, sona follows which on the contrary marks the beginning of celebration with lot of sweet dishes. The agricultural work that had halted in the month of aati, is continued in sona.

The first festival that falls after Amaase is Nagara Panchami. Most of the people who are not in their home town visit their respective home towns for Nagara Panchgami Puje. Sankranti of sona is significant in this particular month. After sankranti, Raksha Bandhan falls on the first full moon. And following Rakshabandhan comes Ashtemi or Krishna Janmastami. And so on the festivities begin till Deepavali.

After the difficult times in Aati, Sona month brings in lot of love and affection in the families. Festives give the opportunity for such family gathering and feeling of oneness. It is the month of lot of gifts and sweets too. During Aati, the new bride who had been to her native returns to husband's home in sona.

In Sona, one is all set to have yummy foods prepared at home. Manjal da Ireta Gatti
is a special dish prepared for Nagara Panchami and Seme Adde, Kottige and Pancha Kajjaya are specially prepared for Astemi and Chauti. Manjal da Ireta Gatti and Seme Adde are my favourite.

Manjal da Ireta Gatti

Semeadde perr

All in all the month of Sona is pretty much busy and happy month in Tulunad. Tuluva’s being the worshipers of Mother Nature, show gratitude towards earth in every ritual of theirs.  As there is a popular proverb in Tulu "aati aned popini, sona kudred popini" which means aati travels slowly with no work at home like riding on an Elephant, and sona travels as fast as if riding on a horse! depicts that how busy the life gets in the month of sona for those good old days.

Feel free to share my posts, page with your family, friends, relatives to share such wonderful experiences through food, places or thoughts 😇 Thank you all!
For more pictures, you can also check my zomato account - @dhungrysouls and follow me :)

Garlic Bread Cheese & Jalapenos

We also tried Mongolian Pot rice, it lacked baby corn, mushroom or broccoli to my disappointment. But had veggies and was good in taste. So, if you're fond of exotic veggies then you better buy something else as they have number of options. Taste wise, you can definitely try as it was good in taste.

Mongolian Pot Rice

My experiment on different dishes from this place will surely be on. Incase, you are aware of any good dishes from here then do let me know 😊 Until then keep hogging!

Feel free to share my posts, page with your family, friends, relatives to share such wonderful experiences through food, places or thoughts 😇 Thank you all!
For more pictures, you can also check my zomato account - @dhungrysouls and follow me :)

“Yes” or “No” - The Guide to Better Decisions by Spencer Johnson

Beautiful places in nature's lap surrounded by lush green scenery, cool breeze and calming wind which the rainy season brings is definitely one to make the most of. Matheran is one such destination that is the closest hill station to Mumbai in the Sahyadri hill range in Raigad district of Maharashtra State.

Matheran, which means "forest on the forehead" (of the mountains) is an eco-sensitive region, declared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. It is Asia's only automobile-free hill Station.

A) Travel - You need to take train that heads to Karjat/Khopoli on the Centrail Railway to Neral Station. From Neral station, you can either opt for Toy train to Matheran or local vehicle that charges you 80 bucks per seat to Dasturi car parking. This is the last point until where vehicles are allowed. Here you got to pay entry fee to enter Matheran. You need to head to Aman Lodge from where you will get train which is at a walkable distance of 5-10mins, you can also opt to ride on a horse. The trains are available at an interval of one hour. You can also walk through the railway tracks, enjoying the beautiful climate and scenic beauty. Let me warn you that the train is small and a little congested. So, you need to adjust yourself for around 15-20 mins. Once you reach Matheran, you can walk or opt for horse ride till your booked hotel.

Matheran train

Matheran to Aman lodge time table

B) Accommodation - Get your bookings done before hand to avoid running from one hotel to another during the season time. My booking was in Horseland hotel and mountain spa which is a moderate hotel. Best among the worst as compared to the other hotels in Matheran. It has buffet option of their own. They also have a side restaurant which serves sider kind of food. No roti, sabji or rice. If needed then they get it for us from outside restaurants but do keep time into consideration as the restaurants here don't stay open till late.

Horseland hotel and mountain spa

Mix Grill (chicken)

This is the usual onion that is served by any Mughlai dishes but trust me this was the best! They had mixed the onions very well with salt & spices that my mouth is still watering.

Onions

B) Garlic Naan - like regular garlic naan

Garlic naan

C) Butter Chicken - We had this with butter chicken unfortunately I don't have picture for the same as we were hungry and couldn't control ourselves and started hogging.

Last but not the least, desserts -
D) Caramel Custard - Mind boggling! Must try..

Caramel Custard

The other thing that we had was Kulfi Falooda which you can try if you are a falooda lover. It is a very pocket friendly place with fairly good food items if you choose them rightly.

Feel free to share my posts, page with your family, friends, relatives to share such wonderful experiences through food, places or thoughts 😇 Thank you all!
For more pictures, you can also check my zomato account - @dhungrysouls and follow me :)