In the early 19th century i.e. 1930-1940, the concentration of population was centered in & around Fort, Girgaum upto Lalbaugh. Even Dadar was an upcoming suburb back then; many old buildings in Dadar area are dated 1935 onwards. At such a time in 1940, a young man from Ratnagiri Late Bhau Gopal Tembe setup this restaurant in Phanaswadi, Girgaum very close to the famous Balaji temple. He had landed in Mumbai years ago and had tea in Mumbai dock area & Bandra.
In the year 2004, they have renovated the place and added an air-conditioned section to the restaurant. The ambiance is very decent & has a jumble of words which denote the ways in which food is described. The service is fast, efficient & to the point; not rude nut not very friendly either.
I also heard a very nice anecdote about the inclusion of the word “Health” in its title, the founder was of the opinion that the customers trust the restaurant for its quality & thereby the restaurant is responsible for their health. He also opined that they should & will feed their customers food which they can & will consume.
I tried many dishes here; liked some & did not like some, detailed below is a synopsis of the experience here:
SPECIAL MISAL [INR 70] Special Misal was a nice concoction of white peas, some mix sprouts, farsan and finely chopped onions. The gravy was not fiery but instead a mild spicy one. One can opt for a side of Dahi with it if you like it.
TOMATO WADA [INR 45] This dish is a variation of the Batata Wada with addition of chopped tomatoes. The basic masala used is also different; they don’t add garlic & fresh green coriander in the masala hence the flavor is slightly on the sweet/sour side depending upon the flavor of the tomatoes.
THAALIPEETH [INR 60] Thaalipeeth was deep fired, slightly spicy but unfortunately not served with a side of butter as is the case in many restaurants. I liked the dish but prefer if it is served baked & not deep fried.
KOTHIMBIR WADI [INR 55] Kothimbir Wadi was nice, deep fried with a good flavor of the fresh green coriander. I would have liked if they could serve the dishes with different chutney and not go by the “one size fits all” method. A spicy chutney with a bland dish & a mild chutney with a pungent or spicy dish.
GREEN PEAS PATTICE [INR 55] In my opinion, this was the star dish of my meal. The stuffing was made of fresh green peas, tossed in a masala made up of grated coconuts, onions, fresh coriander & some whole spices. This was then stuffed inside a mashed potato ball & deep fried. Lovely is the word to describe it.
KANDA BHAJI [INR 55] A basic dish which is very popular; deep fried to perfect crispiness & colour. It really compliments a cup of tea.
The reason for the popularity of this restaurant is their continued focus on quality and continuation of the taste & flavor they have established years ago.
A visit to Vinay Health Home is warranted on the grounds of flavor, value for money, cuisine & the...
Read moreVinay Restaurant: Home of the World's Best Misal Pav
Nestled in the heart of Maharashtra's culinary landscape, Vinay Restaurant stands as a beacon of authentic flavor and tradition. As a connoisseur of Maharashtrian delicacies, I can confidently say that Vinay is in a league of its own, especially when it comes to their iconic dish - Misal Pav.
From the moment you step inside, the aroma of spices fills the air, setting the stage for a memorable dining experience. The ambiance is warm and inviting, with vibrant decor that pays homage to the rich cultural heritage of Maharashtra.
Now, let's talk about the star of the show - the Misal Pav. Vinay's rendition of this classic dish is nothing short of extraordinary. The flavors are bold, the textures are exquisite, and the spice level is just right to tantalize your taste buds without overwhelming them. Each bite is a symphony of flavors, with the perfect balance of heat, tanginess, and depth.
But the excellence of Vinay doesn't stop at Misal Pav. Their menu boasts an array of Maharashtrian delights, each dish bursting with authenticity and taste. Whether you're craving a piping hot plate of Sabudana Khichdi or indulging in the decadence of Puran Poli, every item on the menu is a testament to the chef's skill and passion for the cuisine.
It's worth noting that the food at Vinay leans towards the spicier side, which might not be suitable for those with a milder palate. However, for true spice enthusiasts and lovers of bold flavors, this only adds to the allure of the dining experience.
In addition to the exceptional food, the service at Vinay is top-notch. The staff are friendly, attentive, and always willing to offer recommendations or accommodate special requests.
In conclusion, Vinay Restaurant is a must-visit for anyone seeking an authentic taste of Maharashtra. Whether you're a seasoned foodie or simply looking to explore the flavors of the region, a visit to Vinay is sure to leave you craving more. With its world-class Misal Pav and incredible array of dishes, this culinary gem has rightfully earned its place as a beloved institution in the hearts of food...
Read moreSaturday 21st We Visited this Place. The only reason this is hyped because there is no seat-in restaurant which is serves quick bite in entire km radius. This place would have been part of any legacy or may run on goodwill but that legacy or goodwill now has become ego of the employees work there. They cant even smile. No Smile when they take orders, no smile when the place on table. Food is fair enough. No wow factor at all. People who know what is Maharashtrian food will know this from heart. The incident which amazed me is there are frustrated vintage employees who treat customers as headache & overwork. surprisingly there was a queue & they were not even allowing people to go inside who already has a family seating inside the hotel & table is taken already. They treated a lady very badly requesting to go inside because her family is seating inside, She came from office directly & wish to join them. Frustrated Old Sir handling the queue started shouting on Customer. Surprise..!! It's as if they serving free food inside & people need to listen to what they want to dictate as Rule. My personal experience over entire ambiance & food was very disappointing & incident mentioned above has really proved how degraded the...
Read more