Lip smacking Maharashtrian Food!!

I have lived all my life since I was born in amchi Mumbai but have never eaten a real Maharashtrian meal! Don’t get me wrong, I have eaten the usual snacks that we call Maharashtrian food – sabudana ka khichdi, puran poli, kothimbir wadis to name a few and have loved every bit of it! So a friend and I decided to try out real authentic Maharashtrian khana!

We made our way to Diva Maharashtra (at Mahim). As we approached the entrance we were greeted by a doorman dressed as a doorman in a King’s darbar, as he opened the door for us, we were further greeted by a traditional war-cry played out on a long curved trumpet like musical-instrument. The interior of the restaurant is tastefully done up with sarees hung on the two of the walls and the ceiling! Our dinner mats had the map of Maharastra and the menu card was also covered with parts of a saree (see pics)!

We settled down to a meal of Prawn Karanji which I might add was yummy! That was followed by a vegetarian dish made of Vaal – a white seed and was accompanied by a chicken gravy that was made from a particular Maharashtrian recipe!! We ordered a portion of rotis made of rice, and puris made of a mix of grains. One spice caught my eye – it was a small bowl of fried chilies – this my friend explained to me were actually green chilies that were slit and kept out in the sun to dry and are then covered with spices and when the need to eat them arises they are fried and served! Amazing!

As my eyes wandered around, they fell on a stick that had a saree and a garland and a metal vessel on it. I had seen it before as it is displayed on all Maharashtrian houses during their new year. The story behind this display was given by my friend. Apparently when Ram returned after defeating Ravana, the people waved flags from their windows, some women who did not have any flags tied their saree to a stick and waved those instead. There is a metal vessel on top of the stick so as to keep the saree from following off and there was a garland of sweets and flowers wrapped around the same.

As we finished our dinner, I was glad that we had come here to experience the true Maharashtrian cuisine!!