Metkut in Mulund | Great Place for Maharashtrian Food !!
As a Maharashtrian by birth and residence, it is difficult to rouse myself to go about eating out on a Sunday night (Covid notwithstanding) to go and eat Maharashtrian food, that too a vegetarian fare !! There are a few reasons for that -
a)There are not too many good Marathi food joints
b) I have been blessed in my life who are all excellent cooks - my mother, my mother-in-law, and my wife (I have to say this because ....well lets say I have to say it !!)
c) Most restaurants screw up Marathi food menu, even though it is made my Maharashtrian. The items put in are so full of familiarity and regular on home menu, that it is almost criminal to pay good money to eat in a restaurant.
I was therefore not a happy camper when my wife dragged me (With the entire in-laws in tow, no less) into Metkut at Mulund. For those who are aware of Metkut, it started off as a singular restaurant in Thane and eventually turned itself into a franchisee. Now there is a Metkut everywhere in Thane and Mulund, but wifey dragged me all the way to Mulund - which is a good 30 mins drive away. She insisted because the reviews of this place were better than other ones.
1. Mix plate of Bhajiyas (fritters) - Light and crispy. Just enough oil to let you know that it was fried. The mint chutney along with was quite good.
2. Moong Bhajjiyas - Crunchy and well cooked. Just the right size to eat as well - about popcorn size, just right for the bite.
3. Alu Wadi (Patra in Gujrati) - Again very well cooked and full of flavor. Did not seem heavy or oily on the palette.
4. Missal - The quintessential Maharashtrian snack/meal. Very tasty and made of the right ingredients. Right blend of spices without being too spicy
5. Mattar (peas) patties - The outer cover, made of potato was not too thick, yet the chef had managed to make it strong enough to keep it from breaking apart. The cruch of the outer skin was quite evident. The filling was peas which were cooked quite amazingly well enough. The sweetness of the peas came through quite well, without being oversweet. The slightly sour and spicy outer covering complemented the pea filling, making it one of the best items I had.
6. Solkadhi - Easily one of the best I have had in a while. A perfect blend of sweet, sour, spicy all layered with the undertone of kokum. And just like wine or coffee, a good solkadhi needs to have good body - and boy this solkadhi would have won beauty pageants just on its body !!!
7. Tender Coconut vegetable - Strips of tender coconut meat were cooked it a tangy spicy tomato gravy. The interplay of the sweet coconut meat with the gravy was just amazing. Had with Amboli ( a slightly sour pancake of rice and urad dal), and the combination was simply amazing.
8. Patodi Rassa - A gravy (rassa) made with dried coconut, lots of ground spices, and patodi (equivalent to besan ki sabzi). This was another good gravy and quite reminiscent of the desh or the countryside of Maharashtra.
9. Spiced buttermilk - A slightly spicy preparation, with a good tempering of jeera, dhana, chilles and coriander. Great to wash down food with
10. Bhajaniche Wade - Deep fried wadas made of a flour with a mix of roasted lentils. They were quite flavorful on the palette , went quite well with the Patodi rassa.
The service was quite quick - especially considering that the average number of items ordered per table was high. The food was piping hot and crisp and used the best ingredients. Despite we having tried so many items (see above) and eaten to our stomach's capacity, we did not feel heartburn or any other ill effects, which reflects the fact that the food was made in the best ingredients possible.
The decor is night and bright and creates a feeling of openness. Good interplay between white and black.
Would sincerely recommend it to all !
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