Guru Sawant Malvan Katta - Karvenagar — Restaurant in Pune

This place has become a legend in Pune and in spite of living so close, I had never visited. That changed a few days ago and I got a taste of why this place has received all the praise it gets. First of all, it's an extremely unassuming place, simple, hole in the wall types. But, as often is the case, the hearts of the owners and the taste, is much bigger. But unlike most small places, cleanliness and hygeine is not compromised. The kitchen is absolutely clean and the seating too is really good. The owner, Guru Sawant, is a gracious host and always there to suggest the freshest and best he has to offer.

But food is where they absolutely knock it out of the park. We started off with some Bombil fry and Prawns fry. All rawa fry, simple, but with an incredible taste. The traditional homemade masala is the source of all this magic and it's incredibly flavourful. But what shines through even more, is the fresh beautiful seafood.

The Bombil was soft, juicy with the typical slight slimy texture. The Prawns were huge, plump and soft. I will say, hands down, one of the best prawns fry I've ever had.

We also had a Bangda fry (had to, it is my favourite fish!). It was, again, super fresh and juicy, slightly less masala than the others, but the flavour of the fish came through. The crispy skin is such a treat.

Surmai Thali

What astonishes you the most, is the damn size of the Surmai fry! Massive steak, the size of my bloated head. Soft and succulent flavourful meat on the inside with the crisp, beautifully spiced rawa crust. I loved it so much I got two pieces to go as well.

The Bangda Curry is just wonderful. Coconut based, medium spice, but the tanginess from the amsul and trifal, is what makes it. Just absolutely lipsmacking, one of the most perfect curries, in my opinion. A heap of rice and this curry, I could have that everyday of my life. With the firm fleshy bangda, it was even better.

There was another small bowl of spicy curry, which was nice, had a great flavour of garam masala. We also ordered Prawn Masala on the side. It was a delicious spicy curry, quite heavy on garam masala. It was really good, but I prefer more of a milder curry with my prawns, so not my thing.

The Sol Kadhi is something else that is special, It is really mild, unlike many places that make it either too strong or too sweet. This was neither and thus was super refreshing after all the spice.

We paid about 750 each for the 3 of us (except for our individual parcel orders). The place is definitely quite reasonably priced, especially because of the sheer size and quality of the seafood you get. I've never seen Surmai, Prawns and Pomfrets this size being served anywhere else, especially at this price. Plus the delicious beautiful homemade masala and expert cooking, elevates this place to a different level. One of the few places that doesn't just live upto the hype, but...

Guru Sawant Malwan Katta, located in Karve Nagar, Pune, is a culinary gem renowned for its authentic Malwani cuisine, particularly its fresh and flavorful seafood offerings.

Ambiance and Decor

The restaurant exudes a homely and unpretentious atmosphere, reminiscent of a traditional 'khanawal' (family-run mess) common in Maharashtra's Konkan region. With limited seating—approximately four tables indoors and a few outdoors. The interiors are simple yet comfortable, focusing on providing a genuine dining experience over extravagant decor.

Menu and Quality of Food

Guru Sawant Malwan Katta is celebrated for its diverse array of seafood thalis, each showcasing the rich flavors of Malwani cuisine. Notable thalis include:

Surmai (King Fish) Thali: Features a sizable piece of fried surmai, marinated with homemade spices, coated in rawa (semolina), and fried to perfection. Accompanied by fish curry, solkadhi (a refreshing coconut milk drink), sukkat chutney (dried fish chutney), choice of chapati or tandalachi bhakri (rice-flour flatbread), and rice.

Pomfret Thali: Offers similar accompaniments with a focus on the delicate and flavorful pomfret fish.

Bangda (Mackerel) Fry: A rarity in Pune, the fresh mackerel is expertly fried, highlighting the authenticity of the dish.

The restaurant also serves other seafood delicacies like prawns and bombil (Bombay duck), all prepared using traditional Malwani recipes. The consistent praise for the freshness and quality of the seafood underscores the establishment's commitment to delivering an authentic culinary experience.

Service

The service at Guru Sawant Malwan Katta is often lauded for its warmth and attentiveness. Managed by the Sawant family, the restaurant ensures that guests feel welcomed and well-cared-for. The staff is knowledgeable about the menu and offers recommendations based on customer preferences. Despite the limited seating, the team strives to provide prompt service, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Overall Guru Sawant Malwan Katta stands out as a must-visit destination for seafood enthusiasts seeking authentic Malwani flavors in Pune. Its dedication to freshness, traditional recipes, and heartfelt service creates a memorable dining experience that resonates with both locals and...

Malvani Bangda Thali - Rs.280

Guru Sawant Malvan Katta, Karve Nagar, Pune

Malvani Sea Food Cuisine

$$

15.10.24

Thanks to @amarnathhazarika for pointing me towards this direction. Infact my schedule today was Parsi cuisine but then most of the good Bawas pull down their shutters by 7pm. That is not a good timing for me & so I find myself searching for Malvani cuisine. Malvan is a region in the southern most part of Maharashtra in Sindhudurga district bordering Goa state. It is a subset of Konkan cuisine but is a little different from Karwar cuisine in Karnataka.

I finally managed to reach Guru Sawant Malvan Katta which on its signboard clearly claims to be a sea food specialist. Well I took a step inside to verify that claim. It's a very basic eatery with 4 tables indoors & 3 outside. A no nonsense kind of place. However I was bowled over by the service. The waiter welcomed me & I informed him that I have no idea what I'm getting myself into & he had so much of patience to explain all the details. Infact he even brought me a plate of different fish for me to choose from & wasn't pushy that I'd choose something more expensive. Finally the contenders were Surmai (King fish), Pomfret & Bangda (Mackerel) Thali. I've had the first two before so I decided on Bangda, something I've only had as tin fish in brine.

As I waited, I was given a complimentary Kokum (Malabar tamarind) drink & a Modak.

The food arrived after 15mins. It had 1 big pc of bangda fish fried in Rava (sooji) batter, a bangda fish curry, prawns rassa (curry), Bhakri (rice) flatbread, a shrimp fry & chutney, solkadhi (malvani coconut milk drink) & rice.

I expected it to be spicy but it wasn't, just flavorful. The bhakri was nice & warm. The fried fish was to die for. The fish curry was nice with the rice, but it was the prawns curry that had a new flavor profile for me. The shrimps both fried & chutney enhanced the thali. The solkadhi & kokum refreshing & the modak tasted like a sweet assamese pitha.

Overall an excellent experience.

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