Gurukripa, Powai

Open sky, soulful music, Live IPL, Fresh breeze and multi-cuisine specialities - this can define my last visit to Gurukripa.

Gurukripa is the perfect place to unwind after a busy work day and If you are looking out to go to lonavala or outskirt Dhaba to enjoy & have a peaceful dinner - then Gurukripa is a place which will give you a peaceful and blissful dining experience.

          

Gurukripa is one of the oldest restaurants in Powai and will give you a pleasant surprise - Don't go by its name, it is actually a casual dining place.

I went there for dinner last week and they have Live IPL screening on the rooftop with amazing food and soft music. This place has not got the attention it deserved but still it was running full on a regular weekday.

This place has  three seating sections  and the open air one is our Favourite. The servers were wearing the IPL jerseys and were alert & humble. I must mention Mr. Sandeep Shetty - my server who guided me through menu and suggested me some great dishes.

We Started on a sweeter note with a tall and refreshing glass of Mango Blossom - a relishing blend of fresh mango pulp and mango ice-cream. So it's summer and there is  no way that we were going to miss this seasonal speciality.

Make way the king of Fruits is here !! Because how else you will spend your summers without this. Mango Blossom - a cool and light blend of Fresh mango pulp, juice and icecream with a dash of mango crush. @gurukripa_powai #travellife #dinnerstories #bloggersfeed #foodiefeed #foodforsoul #foodiliciousmumbai #letsdrink #mumbaifoodlovers #foodiestories #drinkhealthy #mango #kingoffruits #gurukripasakinaka #powai #mumbaifoodilicious #mumbaifoodie

A photo posted by Maanik Julka (@travellersdeliciouslife) on May 23, 2016 at 3:07am PDT

This restaurant has the widest variety of Chicken dishes prepared in Indian, Mugalai and Chinese style and a vast menu with all usual Indian and Chinese dishes and some fusion dishes - a subtle combination of different ingredients.

One of them was the Chicken ghee roast - tikkas with crispy crust and a mindful flavour of Ghee. I know many people who hates even the smell of ghee and I challenge you, if you didn't fall in love with this beautiful combination.

Stuffed mushrooms -spinach filling sandwiched between button mushrooms - a little spicy but the one for Mushroom lovers. The crunchy cheese stuffed Mushroom are also amazing.

Chicken Rahra - Boneless Chicken in chicken Keema Gravy base topped with fresh cream seemed best with the garlic naan and Butter lacha Paratha. There was absolutely no complaint regarding the food and it was worth the money spent.

We ended our dinner with 'Gadbad'?? - a scrumptious  combination of strawberry, vanilla and mango topped with crunchy dry fruits and fresh fruits. 

The other signature dishes include - grill chicken black pepper dry, spring rolls, chicken in oyster sauce, exotic vegetables in hotgarlic sauce, malysian rice , chicken pot rice, banjara kebab,chicolate eclair,Panchauti Mela(sabzi), crunchy mushrooms(cheese stuffed and DEEPFRIED) and mutton Rogan Josh.

PS - This place is worth a visit and no doubt from last 40 years they are carrying the legacy.

            

Harsh Chocolates, Andheri(W)

What kind of monster can possibly hate  
Chocolates?

Well  Harsh Chocolates had delivered some pretty looking mouth watering handmade chocolate hamper with newly launched hotchocolate sticks and a pack of chocolate biscuits.

Believe me I had a love struck to this beauty.

           

The new hot chocolate concept is the chocolate sticks that we can dip, ready to be sunk in warm milk to give you a sinful hot chocolate indulgence. The sticks are available in 3 flavours  - Dark Chocolate, Cinnamon and Masala Milk.

The Dark chocolate was our favourite and MasalaMilk will not fail to impress you.

Dark Chocolate - Hot chocolate Stick
A Quick Fix for Sinful chocolate Indulgence

It's apparent that chocolate is a highly personal treat. The texture of these Chocolates was creamy and smooth. These gourmet chocolates give a  perfect balance of flavours and sweetness - apt for the hardcore chocolates fans to the casual eaters.

Next comes the Chocolate covered biscuits, the Chocolate covering was delight over light and crispy biscuits.

Keen to try their signature White Pot and other Chocolates. A good value alternative to all the commercial brands and stereotype handmade Chocolates.

Well the length of my post surely says Harsh Chocolates falls in my palate perfectly.

         

Sheetal Da Dhaba, Lonavala

There are some days when you want a getaway from your busy lives and plan a fun trip with your family or Friends. It is this time when joints like sheetal da dhaba comes to rescue with their  delicious food along with an amazing experience.

                              

Located on the old mumbai pune highway,it is a perfect place to chill and relax for all the travellers and other patrons.

Food is suprisingly of very good quality and super delicious. I remember my every visit from the first one to the last time when  I had lamba chicken,full butter chicken,garlic naan and Romali Rotibpapad since we all were hungry even after having these dishes we ordered chicken biryani which is the best.

While i mostly feast on starters and kebabs and they have mind blowing varieties in that and accompanied with a nice white sauce and the sublime green chutney. As the mainstay is North Indian - Punjabi cuisine and desi chinese, i had have some amazing tandoori chicken, tikkas and butter chicken at this place.

This place has never disappointed me with their food but sometime the waiting time is not at par. I guess it's the cravings and the HungerPangs that make time crawl before food is served.

Not to forget, the friendly and the courteous staff and the owners who will make sure that you have best of the times.

As The menu is quite varied, the staff will guide you through the menu and recommend some good dishes according to your palate

Few of my favorites here are -

Their awesome Chutney

Butter Chicken and garlic naan,

Tandoori chicken

Chicken cheese chilly kebabs , chicken jungali kebab, lambha chicken(Punjabi- Chinese) and butter chicken biryani.

PS - Gluttony is not a sin at Sheetal Da Dhaba and there was not a single time when I didn't overeat at Sheetal. And I should not forget to mention  @jasronak who introduced me to this place.

                               

Pizza Box, Vile Parle(E)

A quaint little pizza joint tucked on Hanuman Road,Vile Parle (E).

My first interaction with this brand happened in Dec 2014, at a college festival in Juhu and the Recent interaction with Pizza Box happened to be on my complimentary visit from zomato and all these times, Pizza box has never disappointed me.

                 

I must say they are a perfectionist in thin crust. Their thin crust goes perfectly well with their elegant toppings. This time I have tried their multi-grain thin crust pizza and it did take a lot of time to be served but definitely worth the wait. And the best part is that while I was inquiring about the delays, the staff assured me that they make fresh dough and have informed the same while placing the order.
I am completely in love with their Barbeque paneer and garlicky mushroom pizza - what a brilliant concoction and the pepperoni Cheese pizza.

BBQ paneer & Mushroom Pizza

The paneer and chicken Stromboli couldn't be given a miss as the marinated proteins with cheese wrapped in bread are rich in flavour and are served with an amazing salsa which adds more flavours to it.
The chicken pizza cones are good but the veg ones can totally be avoided as the vegetable give a raw taste.

The place is small with indoor and outdoor seating. The indoor seating though only have 3 table, but the setting is very sophisticated and comfortable with a colour combination of white and red.

An amazing place to quench your pizza cravings with simplistic and elegant toppings.
PS - It is sometimes difficult to find a table.

                                 

China Express, Carter road, Bandra

It is a new entrant in By lanes of Carter Road serving the so trended Chinese in Box. They have the option to choose your ingredients and customize your Box.

    

Perfect place for an ideal budgeted Meal while hanging around in that area. The box  (portion) size is generous and you get a wide choice to choose from a lot of vegetables, then bases and the sauces.

Loved their Udon Noodles and Egg Noodles as bases and the chef Special 'mixed sauce' - a brilliant concoction of Hunan, teriyaki, Schezwan and some more sauces (which are hard to recall) but surely the chef will help you with that.

Egg Noodles with Mixed Sauce

Overall, a friendly ambience and a great deal at the best of the price with a delicious offering.

PS - It's a small takeaway joint and there are only 2 tables to sit.There used to be 'Wok in the Box' at this place but now everything is same Except the name and Improved Quality & Taste.

   

Infantria - A Food Paradise in Calangute, Goa

 
I guess it's one of the beautiful place in Calangute. Located near Calangute circle, the cafe grabs your attention with its bustling bakery and its warm ambience.
In love with the bakery/cake shop section. The chocolate brownie was one of the best I have ever had. It was so gooey that it just melts in the month and served with roasted hot chocolate sauce.
Also, their chicken chops, mutton & beef chops were amazing. They can be best accompanied with your beer. They also had good offers on beers and drink. The burgers were great and suitable for quick eats.
Don't forget to try the bebinca.. A layered Goan cake.

Walnut Brownie with Vanilla and Hot Chocolate Sauce 

It's an all day dining  and no matter at what time you go it will satisfy your hunger. The place is heaven for breakfasts and for omelette fans plus the Shakes and coffee - berry blast , Toblerone  and baileys Irish are some which I have loved(But go before 12).

If you are planning to eat your dinner at this place then you will be glad to know that they have live music every day, with different singers coming throughout the week.
The music, warm ambience, goa and great food - what else one wants. And this place can offer you all.
For my dinner - I had ordered Chicken Cordon Bleau and Chicken Fillet Alla mushroom Jul. Both were amazing. Cordon blue was done well and the stuffing (inside the chicken breast) was very Flavourful and cheesy.

Chicken Fillet Alla Mushroom Jul

The Chicken Fillet Alla mushroom Jul - chicken breast in creamy mushroom sauce served with rice and mashed potatoes was overwhelming.

Overall it was a Gastronomical experience.

The service was a little slow but quite good as compared to Britto's and curlies where you have to get hold of the waiters/servers.
PS - My first and the last meal at Goa this time, was at Infantria. It was my first time at Infabtria and I think I am addicted to it and will be visiting this place very soon on my next trip.