Kothrud gets a respectable restaurant – Asian Melange

I’ve often wondered why the densely populated Kothrud with its fair share of the wealthy does not have good restaurants. The relatively better ones in the area are always overflowing, and the chances that you will end up meeting your neighbour at a restaurant in Koregaon Park are very high.

Anyway, the owner of Asian Melange, near Karve Statue in Kothrud seems to have sensed the gap and seized the opportunity. The three-storied multi-cuisine restaurant complete with an open to sky terrace barbeque is a decent place to take your family. The restaurant is more than a year old I hear, but the word of mouth is spreading, and I heard about this place from a lot of people before I decided to try it.

The menu is more Indian than multi-cuisine but the spread is pretty good. Portions are standard and prices are reasonable. The non vegetarian barbeque was definitely better than the vegetarian platter we ordered. We didn’t like the potato and the baby corn that they served was very spicy.

I saw the seating on the lower floors only on my way up but it seemed ok. Even on a cold winter evening, the terrace seating was cozy with just enough light. The service was good, and the attendants were well informed about the fare. The food took a bit long to come which is generally a problem if you are taking kids along. I found the tables a bit cramped and what with the barbeque set in the middle of the table, space is left a bit lacking. Better to opt for a place that has more chairs than the number of people you are taking along.

Parking is adequate and they also provide a valet, so taking your car is not a problem. I suggest you call and reserve in advance given the demand-supply equation in Kothrud.

My verdict – 3.5 out of 5 for the barbeque, but scope for improvement in general. May not be the place to plan a really special occasion, but you can target it when you feel bored of driving to the other end of town and don’t feel like a take-away.

Ecological Bliss – Bhigwan on Solapur Road

This was our second bird-watching visit to Bhigwan. We went there first in January 2009. With only meager information from a blog, we spent quite a lot of time in tracking down birds. Though we eventually managed to spot several species, it felt like we had to grope a lot in the dark. Thanks to which, we didn’t see any Flamingos at all. More disappointing was that we didn’t have such a great camera, and our photos didn’t turn out so good after all the effort.

With the learnings from the first experience, we set out again in December, much earlier in the winter this time. We now have a pro-zoomer camera with all the required attachments (though not yet a DSLR) and hoped to get better shots.

This time we hit the right spots at the right time. It’s important you reach bird-watching spots when the birds are out to feed. We left Pune at 5 am, reached Bhigwan on Solapur highway, and turned left for Diksal (just before the bridge at the Solapur end of Bhigwan town) just as the sun was rising. The place looked mesmerizing in the receding twilight, and because water levels were high thanks to the untimely showers in November. Continuing further, you come to a stretch of narrow road with water on both sides with you right in the midst of the birds’ annual winter retreat. It’s quite a spectacle!

At the end of the motorable stretch, we were sought out by a mother-son duo who offered to take us into the water to see ‘Rohit pakshi’ = flamingos by boat. We agreed to pay 500 rupees for a 1.5 hour trip ‘only if we spotted the birds’. I’ve honestly hardly ever caught sight of any animals in so called wild life sanctuaries. But the confidence displayed by the duo about knowing the flamingo habitats raised the spirits about a positive result this time. We traversed the beautiful Ujani backwaters in the boat for almost half an hour without any sight of the flamingos. In the excitement of searching for the flamingos it would have been very easy to miss the colony of thousands of white and gray seagulls at the edge of an island on the way or the occasional duck swimming leisurely along our boat.

At last a flock of the elusive birds. Flamingos are absolutely captivating. Their slender beaks, attractive colors, and graceful movements make them one of a kind. When they are on land, the pink and black tones on the folded wings are completely hidden. But the sight of them flying in straight, disciplined rows evokes memories of those programs on the National Geographic or Animal Planet painstakingly shot by nature lovers who wait hours to record such glimpses for us to see on television in the luxury of our homes.

Back on land, we were invited by the boatmen mom and son for a cup of tea in their hutment home. We were really touched by the warmth and hospitality from them. I forgot to mention that the duo had good knowledge of their surroundings, and was reasonably well informed about the birds and their ways. It felt like they knew the value of the life they live. Never once did they hurry us up during their boat trip, and in fact were ready to oar up to wherever we pointed out.

After a brief halt there, we visited another spot near Dalaj No. 2 village – to get there you get back on the highway and take a left after about 8 kms towards Solapur. This place allows real glimpses of the rural life and the rows and rows of farms provide urban folk like me a very rustic and lovely encounter with the hinterlands. At the end of the longish road is another stretch of water where we saw a few other cranes and birds. We were here for another hour or so, after which we started on the return journey.

Bhigwan is the sort of place you would rather want to have uninhabited, raw and pristine in its natural beauty. The moment it gets crowded and commercialized, restaurants line up and the touts spring up, the place risks losing its appeal (we Indians need not be reminded of how capable we are at that part). But if you are the types who value the ecology, are ‘educated’ enough to not litter or crowd or disturb the peace of the place, Bhigwan is just the place for your next day trip in winter.

My verdict – Go all out for it if you concur with the personality type I’ve described. But make sure you are well armed with fuel, food and water, and ensure you stock up well on the patience as well. As I mentioned before, this won’t be any luxury trip.

Brightlands Holiday Resort - Among the best in Mahabaleshwar

Mahabaleshwar in the rains is a treat, and the location of Brightland overlooking the valley makes it even more memorable. Brightland is a superb property, among the best resorts in Mahabaleshwar. Well maintained lawns, nice pool and lots of place within the resort to roam around. 

Food is good and the spa is also really worth trying, though quite expensive. We went in off season so there was no crowd, but I have a feeling when occupancy is high, the restaurant must be getting quite cramped. Service was good and we didn't have any problems through the stay. 

One problem I had was that the room was exceptionally small considering the price you pay for the stay, but it was well equipped. The other problem was that although the valley view was superb, if you were to look below eye level, there was quite a lot of muck visible at the back of the hotel!

Riverview Chiplun - Beautiful resort and peaceful stay

We visited Chipun in the rains, completely off season and there was hardly anyone else at the resort. That contributed, I think, to our wonderful experience. I remember visiting this resort few years ago on a stopover when it was owned by the Taj group. We had had a luxurious stay then. Thankfully the resort seems to have maintained the quality and service standards although the ownership has passed hands.

The rooms are very spacious, well decorated. The one we opted for overlooked the Vashishthi river. You could actually see trains running on the Konkan railway disappear into a tunnel. It was a beautiful sight. The resort has a garden at the far end from where the view is simply superb. You can sit here for ages.

Since there is not too much to do around in Chiplun the best thing to do is relax. We went in monsoon and rains in Chiplun can get really heavy. But the resort has good games, the food is also quite good (though if you have to eat it for 2-3 days, it can get boring). Service is good, though some reminders were needed at times. We also tried the spa. It was ok but a bit expensive.

For those interested, the Parshuram temple is walking distance from the resort. We used to be more interested in the food stalls along the temple that serve and sell authentic Maharashtrian delicacies including pickles, thalipeeth, etc.

Hotel Midtown Pritam - Decent experience, no frills stay

When I learnt that my office had put me up at this hotel, I was a bit sceptical due to the location bang in the middle of a busy street in Mumbai. However, the place was conveniently located from my office and I realised the convenience of staying at Pritam soon. Strangely, the room didn't get too much noise from the street and it was reasonably peaceful at night.

The rooms are standard, nothing major to write home about. Most standard amenities were present in the room. The staff is also ok, and co-operative. I only had breakfast there, and it was ok. The restaurant Pritam attached to the hotel (but a separate property) has the reputation of being very good but I didn't get a chance to try it.

I believe in terms of value for money too this hotel is good. Hotels in Mumbai can be quite a drag on the pocket, and if you are looking for decent value at a relatively low price in central Mumbai. I wouldn't rate anything as excellent but there was nothing worth complaining about.