Seafood For The Soul

In a Solkadhi, the coconut milk should be absolutely freshly extracted and the kokum dried but new. The one I had at Gajalee was certainly one of the best I have ever tasted.

Gajalee has other charms apart from Solkadhi. Forget the décor, people go to Gajalee only for the food. Among its patrons include the who's who of the film industry, ace photographers, artists who command millions for their paintings. And that is simply because Gajalee dishes up the freshest and the most authentic Gomantak food in Mumbai. You bet there are other similar joints, similarly priced (the price list of Gajalee is a laugh considering the quality they serve!) and the others might be endowed with plush décor, but Gajalee is one of its kind.

We got together: Rajesh Bharadwaj, Rajnish Verma, his charming wife Indu and his sister Sunita Bhatia, Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi, Rajeev Matta, Alyona and myself and visited their newly opened restaurant at the Phoenix Mills compound, Lower Parel (Gajalee opened its first outlet in Vile Parle, East in 1989). We were in a mood to party and that we did on seafood, seafood and more seafood. Of course, there were exceptions and we did order amti, ussal and cauliflowerchi bhaji but those who were engrossed in their bombils and crabs did not care to taste them. Anyway, the best crabs in Mumbai are here. We gorged on this delicacy after pecking at some Bangda Tandoori. Appetite whetted, our adventures ventured to Prawn Masala prepared with select Indian herbs and spices.

We got together: Rajesh Bharadwaj, Rajnish Verma, his charming wife Indu and his sister Sunita Bhatia, Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi, Rajeev Matta, Alyona and myself and visited their newly opened restaurant at the Phoenix Mills compound, Lower Parel (Gajalee opened its first outlet in Vile Parle, East in 1989). We were in a mood to party and that we did on seafood, seafood and more seafood. Of course, there were exceptions and we did order amti, ussal and cauliflowerchi bhaji but those who were engrossed in their bombils and crabs did not care to taste them. Anyway, the best crabs in Mumbai are here. We gorged on this delicacy after pecking at some Bangda Tandoori. Appetite whetted, our adventures ventured to Prawn Masala prepared with select Indian herbs and spices.

And yes, when prawns are the name of the game can the fried ones be far behind? Certainly not, and we did enjoy the Prawns Fry which were fried to a crisp and seemed to melt in the mouth in a flash.

Non-fish eaters like Rajeev settled for Mutton Masala Dry and Kombdi Vada. Because he seemed to be enjoying them, I knew that they too were well prepared. My focus was completely on the Surmai Fry: perfectly marinated and perfectly deep fried and I love surmai because it has only one bone and it is painless to eat! And then the star arrived: Bombil Fry which were the freshest Bombay Ducks coated with a masala based batter and fried to a crisp. Absolutely divine! Even the various breads we ordered deserve a mention: be it the Amboli, Ghavne, Vade, Chapatis or Bhakris. All were good.

We did the mandatory dessert round because the amount of Solkadhi we had downed with the meal was quite a bit. Anyway, some caramel custard, malai kulfi and sitaphal kulfi were shared between the lot.

If you notice I have not included any prices of the dishes mentioned here. Why? No, not because they are priceless (ha!) but because nothing goes beyond Rs. 350 at this place except for a few like crabs and tiger prawns which are priced as per the catch. However I must add that their portions are not too generous! Yet when friends get together, especially fish lovers, and we have the proprietor wondering if he is going to be sold out before time, we know the place deserves a review with five stars.

There is one thing about Gajalee that has always struck a negative chord, the charge for the containers for takeaways. And if you do not wish to pay for them you can bring your own containers. This is a strict no-no in these days of stiff competition.