Greenland Stay Hotel and Resort, Panchgani (Pachgani), Mahabaleshwar

 It is often said that Mahabaleshwar is marathi manus Kullu Manali and ofcourse it is. Or it can be also said that Kullu Manali is North Indians Mahabaleshwar. All seasons the weather is soul soothing and the landscape of Sahyadris which meet at Mahabaleshwar is out of this world.

We visited for a family function. My brother in law works in Mahabaleshwar (i know how exotic it sounds). The function was organised at Greenland Stay Hotel and Resort, which is only 2 kms offset from the Panchgani-Mahabaleshwar Road and 5-6 kms away from Panchgani market. The location was bit offroad and small vehicles or sedan will have bit of struggle to reach the location, but it is motorable. The location is amazing with views of Sahyadris on the north side of Mahabaleshwar mountain. The fort Kamalgad view is breathtaking and you can enjoy the same sitting in lawns of the resort whole day. The resort has 18-20 rooms, some big some small. As we arrived early, we had the choice to choose the best room for us (early bird catches the worm), which was the corner room with windows on three sides, the overall view from the room was superb. The room size is spacious, ideal for 2 adults and one child. Resort has swimming pool with kids and adults section separate. But swimming pool in 15 degree celsius weather is not a good idea, but my 5 yr old daughter as usual didn't care about the temperature and dipped into the swimming pool. With her I also had to dip in for her safety and gossshhh!! the water was bone chilling. My daughter was enjoying like it was a temperature controlled pool.

The resort overlooks a large strawberry plantation on the north side which is controlled by the land owner of the resort. The hotel visitors are not welcome in the garden, which is Ok, but if someone is ready to pay then they shall allow. All around there are private properties where trespassing is not allowed, unfortunately while having evening walk I ventured into one and I was reprimanded. No issues, I found a way to reach the valley overlooking Dhom dam. The view from that point is why people come to Mahabaleshwar. The view of large water body between Mahabaleshwar and Kamalgad mountain is eye-soothing and the terraces of strawberry garden give them an extra premium touch.

There was dinner and bonfire in the evening. The hotel owner had arranged food from outside for 25-30 people of our group because they ddin't have a big kitchen and enough manpower to cook food for large groups. Food was really good, less oily and rightly spiced. Breakfast next morning was Misal pav and Upma, but I didn't have it due to my fast. Lunch before leaving the place was good like the Dinner. Overall experience of stay was good, the location is awesome as it is offroad from main tourist attractions, the environment is really peaceful for a quiet weekend stay. The service was slow as I think the hotel is newly constructed and the staff is ran by a small family, still they were doing their best. The most disappointing thing was about availability of hot water. They have only one solar water heater, the water of which is only sufficient for 15-20 people, after that people are left with heater to dip inside the bucket which is not at all safe. atleast they shall have geyser at a common location, if not in each and every room, I am ok with that, many would have made an issue on this problem. Hot water is very much required in such a cold place.

Food - 7/10

Rooms - 8/10

Service - 6/10 (due to hot water issue one point reduced)

Amenities - 5/10

Location - 9/10

Views - 10/10

Cleanliness - 8/10

Overall rating - 7/10 (Must visit)

Ashapura Snacks, Dhokali Naka, Thane West (Poha and Sabudana Khichdi)

Small eatery right at Dhokali Naka serving almost all popular breakfast dishes in Mumbai. You can get Poha, Upma, Misalpav, Medu wada, Idli, Dosa etc. I had breakfast of Poha and Sabudana Khichdi. Poha was average, the flavouring of classic Maharashtrian Poha was missing, the serving guy smeared the Poha with coconut chutney as I asked. After having Poha I was not satisfied, so ordered Sabudana Khichdi. Both for Poha and Khichdi, the quantity was good and satisfying.  Sabudana Khichdi was average too, but not bad, could have been better. Poha was at 35 Rs and Sabudana Khichdi at 50 Rs. For the quantity and taste price would have been 25 Rs and 35 Rs respectively, never mind.

Kanda Poha - 5/10

Sabudana Khichdi - 5/10

Ambience - 4/10

Vitthal Kamat Hotel, Khed Shivapur, Pune

On the way to Mahabaleshwar this is popular spot for breakfast for Mumbai and Pune people. Parking is very spacious and restaurant too. Visited on Saturday morning, it was full packed and we struggled to find a table. Toilets are very clean. Ordered Tomato Onion Uttapam for myself and Masala Dosa for Wife. Masala dosa came first, huge size dosa with Yellow batata vegetable inside. Uttapam came 5 mins later, size was good for one person, not much thin not much thick crust. Uttapam in itself was good and adequately hot. My wife complained about Masala Dosa being cold. Chutney was huge disappointment for restaurant chain which boasts to be primarily South Indian food. Quantity and taste was not upto the mark. Quantity was very less personally for me, I was about to ask for an extra bowl (donno if bowl is right word for it), seeing that my wife gave away her chutney bowl to me, leaving me with the expression 'how can anyone not like coconut chutney'. Sambar was Okayish, made too sweet, but the consistency was good. After that had a south indian coffee, in no way it was south indian.

Tomato Onion Uttapam - 7/10

Chutney - 4/10

Sambar - 5/10

South Indian Coffee - 4/10

GM Momos & More, Dhokali

This is a food truck near Highland Gardens corner in Dhokali. Bought half plate steam chicken momos for 100 Rs. Momos were not good, will not recommend to anyone. The chicken inside hardly tasted like chicken. The mayo and schezwan was adulterated and watery. Please avoid this eatery

Steam chicken Momos - 3/10

Mayo and schezwan - 1/10

Paniyarapam (Appam) at Tamizhan T-Fun / Tamil Tiffin Dhokali Thane

A modest quiet restaurant opposite to Dmart in Dhokali. The ambience is simple and gives you a message of quick serve south Indian restaurant. Menu is all out South Indian, you will not be able to find any deviation to the other regional delicacies. I had Paniyarapam and Filter coffee. Paniyarapam had 6 pieces, good quantity ball, crunchy from outside and softy inside, was proof of the appam properly cooked. Appam were served smoking hot and I had to split them into two to get the steam out of them, in the process two fingers each hand got scalded. Two chutneys were served with same, White and Red (sounds like Wine), I asked for Sambar which is not part of the dish. White chutney consistency and taste was good, not too spicy and not too mild, it was perfectly going with the smoky hot appams. Red chutney had that good tanginess, but I dont like it personally very much. Sambar was disappointment for an all out South Indian restaurant, very far away from the Sambar at Mani's. You can easily identify the corn flour starch by the taste and shine in the sambar to make it thick, it is a big NO for me to add in Sambar, mostly roadside eateries add corn starch. Filter coffee was Okayish, it lacked the sharpness of classic south Indian filter coffee which gives you a high at the first sip. Overall experience was good for morning breakfast, the service was quick. The cutlery and plates were nice and authentic, like the ones you find in Hyderabad and Chennai Tiffins. The Menu spread covers Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka. Would definitely come back to try Pesarattu, which I have marked for next time.

Paniyarapam (Appam) - 8/10 (Must Try)

Filter Coffee - 5/10

Ambience - 6/10

Service - 7/10

Cleanliness - 7/10