Gajalee — Restaurant in Pune

Title: Gajalee Restaurant: A Delectable Journey of Authentic Coastal Cuisine

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Gajalee, an exquisite restaurant that specializes in coastal cuisine. From the moment I stepped through the doors, I was greeted with warm hospitality and an inviting ambiance that set the stage for an exceptional dining experience.

First and foremost, the food at Gajalee is simply outstanding. As a seafood enthusiast, I was thrilled to find an extensive selection of dishes that showcased the true flavors of coastal India. The menu boasted a variety of fresh catches, including prawns, pomfret, crab, and a multitude of fish delicacies. Each dish was carefully prepared with a perfect balance of aromatic spices and herbs, ensuring an explosion of flavors in every bite.

One standout dish that left an indelible impression was the Butter Garlic Crab. The succulent crab meat was cooked to perfection and coated in a rich, buttery garlic sauce that was both flavorful and addictive. The Tandoori Pomfret was another highlight, with its smoky, charred exterior and moist, tender flesh. The chef's expertise in bringing out the natural flavors of the seafood was truly remarkable.

Apart from seafood, Gajalee also offers an array of vegetarian and non-seafood options, catering to a diverse range of palates. Their vegetarian dishes, such as the Paneer Tikka and Vegetable Biryani, were equally delightful and showcased the same level of culinary finesse.

The service at Gajalee was impeccable. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the cuisine they served. They graciously answered all my questions, provided recommendations, and ensured that every aspect of my dining experience was top-notch. The attention to detail and personalized service truly elevated the overall ambiance of the restaurant.

The ambiance of Gajalee deserves a special mention. The restaurant is tastefully decorated, exuding a rustic charm that transports you to the coastal regions of India. The warm lighting, comfortable seating, and soothing background music create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, perfect for a memorable dining experience with friends, family, or even a romantic evening.

In terms of value for money, Gajalee exceeded my expectations. While the prices may be slightly higher than average, the quality and taste of the food, combined with the exceptional service and ambiance, make it worth every penny. The portion sizes were generous, ensuring that no one leaves the restaurant unsatisfied.

In conclusion, Gajalee is an exceptional restaurant that showcases the finest flavors of coastal Indian cuisine. With its outstanding food, impeccable service, and inviting ambiance, it has firmly established itself as a go-to destination for seafood lovers and enthusiasts of Indian cuisine. Whether you're a local or a visitor, a meal at Gajalee is an experience that should not be missed. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable...

Gajalee in Pune, is no match for Gajalee in Mumbai. In service quality and the taste of the food, it doesn't even come close to the original at Vile Parle. So if you're a fan of Gajalee Mumbai, you will be extremely disappointed here.

I ordered four things you usually cannot go wrong with - Bombil Fry, Prawns Crispy Fry, and Surmai Curry, with Solkadi.

The Bombil was decent, crispy outside and soft inside, but the insides were very light and sometimes I felt I was only getting the bread crumb batter with no Bombil inside.

Taste of Bombil: 3 star Quantity: 2 star The Prawns Crispy Fry were tasteless and more crispy fry, than prawns.

Taste of Prawns: 2 star Quantity: 3 star The Surmai Curry was outstanding. Great tasting, with the right amount of spice in the curry, and the surmai pieces were cooked just right with a great balance of softness and firmness.

Taste of Surmai Curry: 5 star Quantity: 5 star

Ps. The Surmai curry was so good, we dropped the leftover prawns crispy fry which we didn't like, into the Surmai curry and let them soak. Then they were edible and nice! The Solkadi was excellent, with the perfect texture on the tongue and the right amount of silky spiciness in the flavour.

Taste of Solkadi: 5 star Quantity: 5 star

Overall, with the two starters being very disappointing, it made the whole meal a let down.

Service Quality 2 star.

The staff appeared friendly, but the two I spoke with didn't know much about the food, and had to call others to provide answers.

When I pointed out they charged Rs 50 for a Rs 20 bottle of water which is not allowed as per the rules, the person bluntly said I was wrong as for dine in I have to pay Rs 50, MRP is only for takeaway. I asked if he was okay that I brought this to the notice of the authorities, and he casually shrugged and said "chalega"

If he was right, he could have at least shown empathy, which is rule 1 of hospitality. I was willing to listen to his point of view, and even have my understanding corrected, but the "I don't care what you feel/think" attitude was surprising, and ended the visit on a very sour note. Gajalee Pune, I won't visit...

Place: Location is easy to reach in Bund Garden area. Parking has limited slots. I booked my table in advance but restaurant was not fully occupied. Dineout has restaurant listing but don’t accept booking or payment option. They also deliver food in 10 km radius but eating it warm is recommended 😇

Food: I am core Konkani guy and had malvani food throughout my life so went there with high expectations. In first round itself, I ordered some dishes which are pretty uncommon. Oyster Masala: Best of the lot and it wl be on my list when I visit there again. Oysters were really fresh (difficult to get those specially in places like pune which are far from costal area) and preparation was done with authentic malavani style. Exactly like my grandma cooked 😘. Clams Masala: fresh clams and masala was too good. Found some shell parts in masala but was manageable for me. Baby Shark: masala was good but fish was not fresh. Ideally a well prepared baby shark in konkani style resembles to goat meat style curry but it was not upto expectations Bombil Fry: this one is common pick for kids as they love this easy to eat fish. Chicken curry and Vade: both dishes ordered separately and both were average in taste

Service: although restaurant was not fully occupied on weekend, service was slow. At one point in time they missed my order which I had to repeat. Staff was kind and running all over to serve and I feel that is probably a management issue.

Price: spent 3k for full meal for avg eating 3 adults and 2 kids so I would consider it as above avg price point. But if you really want to taste malvani food.. this is the place to go. I wl certainly visit agin for my fev. clams and oysters masala 😋

Service and price points are ignored for the taste x-factor and hope they will improve on them in coming time so my cumulative rating...