The Taste Of Konkan | Borivali — Restaurant in Mumbai

As the name suggests...taste of home!!!

I had been there with my family for casual dinner on Saturday night, the place was not crowded and we got a table without any waiting, the parking could be an issue since it's located on a relatively narrow road, it is best to avoid driving there, rather use public transport if you stay in the vicinity.

They have A/C as well as non A/C seating sections, the lady/owner at the cash counter greeted us nicely, the servers were prompt to welcome us with their unique way by serving the Kokam Sarbat shot & Nirgund (poha papad), I personally would have liked it cold the Kokam Sarbat but it was of room temperature, which is okay.

We ordered (1) Kolhapuri Mutton thali,(2) Prawns Thali (3) Pomfret fry (4) Bombil fry (5) Wade plate.

First thing first, there are very few malvani restaurants out there which serves Kolhapuri Mutton thali alongwith Malvani cuisine.

In Kolhapuri mutton thali, they serve Mutton rassa, Mutton kheema ( small portion), Tambda-Pandhara rassa with 2 pcs chapatis or 1 pc bhakari based on your choice & Solkadhi.

I wish they had few more options as an alternative to choose from which you generally expect in any Malvani/Kokani restaurant.

Like Wade/Amboli/Ghavan etc.

They have Wade but it is not included in their Thalis, you need to buy them seperately, other two options couldn't even made it to the menu.

Talking about the mutton rassa, it was very good, the pieces were patiently and evenly cooked & gravy had nice aromas of the freshly roasted/grounded spices making it's way to your nose & soul, Tambda- Pandhara were also fulfilling the taste buds, kheema felt Little bland and quantity was very less, Bhakari of rice flour was okay, it seemed it was made in the morning, as most of the restaurants outsource their Chapatis & Bhakaris to other small vendors and store them in bulk.

Coming to the Prawns thali you get Prawns Masala malvani masala, Sukka deep fried prawns coated with semolina-besan, small portion of Jawala fry, prawn thick masala in Anglo-indian spices & Solkadhi,both the fried & gravies were good and size of the prawn specially the fried ones were big.

Pomfret fry - it was a fresh catch and the size of the pomfret was good, but inside it felt a little bland, maybe they need to keep it marinated for the longer duration.

Bombil fry - it was nicely done, came with typical green pudina chutney, no complaints.

Wade Plate - 4 pieces of wadas, medium size sufficient for a person.

Since we were already overwhelmed with the quantity of the food we got in the thalis, there was hardly any space left for the desert, but they do have some of the excellent options, like seasonal mango mastani, you must try it, again while leaving they request you to visit again...which I am going to do soon!

1 star has been reserved for some of the food options, portion & service related issues, would wish to witness an improvement in my...

Pros - Easy accessibility to location. Surmai, pomfret, prawns, mutton were fresh and of good quality. Prawns were properly denerved. Adequate karandhi stuffing in pomfret. Fish fingers, chicken lollipop were good. Freshly prepared thecha was served. (Patio sitting maybe bearable in monsoon, winter.)

Cons - Over phone, we were asssured of no waiting and availability of "proper" 1 seating for 7 pax in AC section at 7.30pm but after arriving on time, we discovered that they don't have facility to "comfortably" accommodate 7 pax in AC section at 1 table. Clearly, we were misinformed over phone. Regrettably, we accommodated at a table for 5 pax when they put 2 extra chairs in the narrow corridor which was of course uncomfortable (additionally, there were stacked small cardboard boxes just besides the table, which made entering the narrow seating space at table more difficult). When we pointed out the lack of proper sitting, haughtily they gave us other option of sitting outside in sweltering heat but the coolers outside are inadequate. The waiter called us in when a table was being cleared and we followed him. But even as we entered, Arrogantly he asked us again to wait outside. He clearly had a lapse of judgment of calling us too soon to stand in the narrow space even before clearing the table but Vented it at us Very Rudely. And such poor behavior towards a senior citizen (in our group) is not acceptable. I also saw that patrons at other tables were uncomfortably accommodated in parties of 6 at tables meant for 4 in AC section (as compared to other similar restaurants). Regular adults sitting together with shoulders and thighs brushing, and little space for arm movements fits no one's definition of comfort. (Anyone can confirm this by visiting during dinner time.) We were also told over phone that they didn't take reservations but two tables for a party of 12 (as told by the waiter) were kept vacant during peak hours when other patrons were waiting outside. Our seats weren't cleaned properly, it had salt granules spread over it. Mirgunda as a 'welcome appetizer' (as mentioned in some other reviews) never came despite reminding a few times. The waiter just ignored our queries. Food was served cold or just luke warm. Chicken in chicken kholapuri thali was rock hard. Prawns koliwada was painfully oily, we dabbed it over paper napkins. Solkadhi felt warm as it was served at room temperature during May. When asked for ice, the waiter declared that they have ice only for coolers and not for food items! The portions of rice in all (mutton, chicken, prawns, surmai) thalis were abysmal considering the pricing, only 5-6 morsels per portion. As they struggled to manage the crowd, we (like patrons at other tables) had to wait more and repeatedly call out to remind our long pending orders and request for cutlery, paper...

Just had a delightful lunch at Taste of Konkan, the new kid on the block in Borivali West serving up delicious Konkan fare. Let me tell you, this place is a real gem for seafood lovers!

Diving into the Delicacies:

Stuffed Bombil: A crispy and flaky start to the meal. The Bombil (Bombay Duck) was perfectly cooked, with a flavorful stuffing that had me wanting more.

Jawla Bhajji: This semolina-coated deep-fried dish was a textural delight. Jawla were perfectly cooked and retained their crunch, while the coating added a nice savory touch.

Chicken Lollipop: While not strictly Konkani, these were a crowd-pleaser. The chicken was juicy and well-marinated, with a crispy coating that wasn't greasy.

Kala Masala Chicken: This dark and flavorful chicken dish was a standout. The rich, spicy gravy coated the chicken beautifully, and the aroma itself was enough to get your taste buds tingling.

Thali Time: Both the Chicken Vade Thali and the Surmai Thali were generous and satisfying. The vade (a fried lentil flatbread) in the Chicken Vade Thali was soft and fluffy, while the Surmai in the Surmai Thali was perfectly cooked and flaked beautifully. The accompanying accompaniments like solkadi and rice completed the meal perfectly.

Crab Meat Fried Rice: This is a must-try for any crab lover. The rice was infused with the delicate flavor of crab meat, making each bite a party in your mouth.

Sweet Endings: Modak Ice Cream: A unique and delightful way to end the meal. The modak-shaped ice cream was a fun twist, and the flavors were spot on.

Overall Experience: Taste of Konkan is a fantastic addition to the Borivali West food scene. The food is authentic, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. The service is friendly and attentive, and the ambiance is warm and inviting. Highly recommended for a taste of the Konkan coast right...