Friends Union Joshi Club — Restaurant in Mumbai

This place was brilliant for proper authentic Gujarati food. The "Bhindi nu shaak" (Ladiesfinger vegetable) was probably the best. The staff is very friendly, with the owner personally coming to each table and attending to all customers; he speaks fluent English, Gujarati, Hindi and Marathi. Consisting of tables of 2 only, this would be a slightly expansive place for a middle-class working Indian bachelor. There are two old pendulum clocks in the restaurant, probably 45-50 years old. It is not as hot and stuffy as I thought it would be. The strategically placed fans give cool breeze to all tables equally; even in the summer.Food at around 200 rupees per head for an unlimited Thaali and an additional 30 rupees for a sweet of your choice. These recipes for which haven't changed in the past 150 - 200 odd years and have been passed on from generation to generation. All in all, it is a very good experience for families and singles but not what you would take only your partner out for. A solid 8 out of 10 for me :) Being a Gujarati, I have spent many years in my childhood eating authentic Gujarati food at my grandparents place. After I became a serious athlete in my teens, my mother started giving me very sports-related and specific food, and I have not touched proper Gujarati food since. After visiting this place, I was immediately reminded of my childhood. This is what a typical Gujarati...

My Trip to India in November 2017 for my Best Friends Wedding bought me to this wonderful place, on a fine afternoon exploring the street of south Mumbai and we decided to have something very vegetarian kind of stuff, after searching a lot of places, Friends Union Joshi Club was one of the unique names amongst all, we headed there and what we saw was nostalgic, taking you back in time like 20 years in the past, this place is a Hidden Gem in the Town of Bombay, A wonderful place to visit with friends and family for good vegetarian unlimited Gujarathi Thali, for 250 Rupees its like the Maa ke haath ka khaana - Food cooked with Mother's Portion of Love, we met the owner of this place and had a small chat for this amazing place he created, Mr Joshi was very helpful and kind as he was also serving the guests along with the people working there, a must try for the people who like to visit bombay, will surely visit this...

After reading rave reviews, We decided to go here for a mid week lunch with an out of town guest. First week of June, mid day and no air conditioning. We braved that. The pictures of the Thali on the name board looked rich and inviting. Inside, it's another story. The morose man at the counter would not even offer a smile. We were the first diners and the boys quickly brought us our thali. The usual tomato-onion salad, an insipid dal and 3 watery sabjis. Decent rotis and Sheera. An aloo bonda that touts itself as Farsan. a glass of chaas. No kichdi, no more sweets or Farsan. Additional deserts are charged at Rs.30 per plate. This Thali does not warrant a Rs.200 charge. I am fine with ' no atmosphere' , ' no airconditioning' but common, I haven't come all the way from the suburbs, negotiating those lanes of Kalbadevi for such...