FIRKI* Raghuvanshi Mills, Lower Parel!
“Can one serve
memories on a plate?
memories on a plate?
Can a spoonful of
good food
good food
Take you hundreds
of miles away?
of miles away?
Can the aroma from
the bowl
the bowl
Remind you of the
sweet smell of soil
sweet smell of soil
From your homeland?
Can a meal, not be
just a meal,
just a meal,
But a trip to the
country side?”
country side?”
From the house of
Riso and Ithaka comes FIRKI*, a restaurant that serves authentic Gujarati, Rajasthani,
Kathiawadi and Marwadi cuisine!
Riso and Ithaka comes FIRKI*, a restaurant that serves authentic Gujarati, Rajasthani,
Kathiawadi and Marwadi cuisine!
So let’s start with
the very beginning, and be brutally honest about it; almost two weeks ago, the
PR that handles FIRKI* got in touch with me regarding a review and I told her
that I would get back to her after a few days and we finally decided on
Thursday, the 24th of September, 2015!
the very beginning, and be brutally honest about it; almost two weeks ago, the
PR that handles FIRKI* got in touch with me regarding a review and I told her
that I would get back to her after a few days and we finally decided on
Thursday, the 24th of September, 2015!
So here we were, Mumma,
Soumyaa and me, at FIRKI*, and for the first time in over two years of my
blogging, my family has saamne se asked to accompany me for a review; and I was
more than happy to take them along, only worry being my preview dinner with
Ithaka was not a very happy one!
Soumyaa and me, at FIRKI*, and for the first time in over two years of my
blogging, my family has saamne se asked to accompany me for a review; and I was
more than happy to take them along, only worry being my preview dinner with
Ithaka was not a very happy one!
The entrance and
ambiance really, really impressed us: the modern village feel; the ferris wheel;
the traditional wooden puppets; the crepe paper windmills; the modern, yet
very traditional paintings on the wall; everything brought a smile to our face!
ambiance really, really impressed us: the modern village feel; the ferris wheel;
the traditional wooden puppets; the crepe paper windmills; the modern, yet
very traditional paintings on the wall; everything brought a smile to our face!
The food, what did
we order:
we order:
Mini
Batata Wada(INR 250++): These were the first to arrive on our table,
and the moment we all had our very first bite sized batata wadas, none of us
could stop smiling; perfectly spiced, not very strong on the garlic, these
batata wadas were a sheer delight to consume!
Batata Wada(INR 250++): These were the first to arrive on our table,
and the moment we all had our very first bite sized batata wadas, none of us
could stop smiling; perfectly spiced, not very strong on the garlic, these
batata wadas were a sheer delight to consume!
Watana
Ni Kachori(INR
250++): Another traditional favourite, the watana and bateta ni kachori was
khasta, not very spicy, delicious and reminded me of the kachori my dadi used
to make!
Ni Kachori(INR
250++): Another traditional favourite, the watana and bateta ni kachori was
khasta, not very spicy, delicious and reminded me of the kachori my dadi used
to make!
Masala
Dosa Dumplings(INR 275++): This is one dish that I was really looking
forward to. The description Bite-Sized masala dosa served with sambar and
chutney really intrigued me and what came, looked like the faraadi pattice, but
when you eat them, they are these delicious wada’s of the onion and potato
stuffing, dipped in the dosa batter and deep fried! Whoever could have imagined
masala dosas in this version, and that too, so delicious!
Dosa Dumplings(INR 275++): This is one dish that I was really looking
forward to. The description Bite-Sized masala dosa served with sambar and
chutney really intrigued me and what came, looked like the faraadi pattice, but
when you eat them, they are these delicious wada’s of the onion and potato
stuffing, dipped in the dosa batter and deep fried! Whoever could have imagined
masala dosas in this version, and that too, so delicious!
Panki
Chutney(INR
225++): When we saw a panki section on the menu, my mum was really excited and
chose to opt for the Moong Dal Methi Panki, but since the dish was not
available that day, we opted for the
good old panki-chutney!
Chutney(INR
225++): When we saw a panki section on the menu, my mum was really excited and
chose to opt for the Moong Dal Methi Panki, but since the dish was not
available that day, we opted for the
good old panki-chutney!
Am really not a big
fan of panki and my mother is, she enjoyed them, yes, but after one point of
time, she found it to be bland (thank God for the chilli’s that accompanied
it!)
fan of panki and my mother is, she enjoyed them, yes, but after one point of
time, she found it to be bland (thank God for the chilli’s that accompanied
it!)
Stuffed
Paneer Chilla(INR 250++): A thin moong dal chilla stuffed with a
watana and paneer mixture, and served with a spicy green chutney, this dish was
really yum, but I only wished they would have increased the quantity of the
stuffing!
Paneer Chilla(INR 250++): A thin moong dal chilla stuffed with a
watana and paneer mixture, and served with a spicy green chutney, this dish was
really yum, but I only wished they would have increased the quantity of the
stuffing!
Mumbai
Chat-Pata(INR
275++): The waiter, Zahir, recommended this to us saying it is one of their
specials, the description read Firki* special from the streets of Mumbai, we
were keen on trying this dish, and to be honest, our expectations with this
dish were sky high, but the dish was delicious, no doubt about it, but our expectations
being this high, the dish did not live upto it! What we were served, was
basically, a besan chilla with the teekhi and meethi chutney, dabeli na singh
dana, pomegranate seeds and lots of sev! One suggestion: Have this dish once it arrives at your
table; else its gonna start going soggy after a few minutes!
Chat-Pata(INR
275++): The waiter, Zahir, recommended this to us saying it is one of their
specials, the description read Firki* special from the streets of Mumbai, we
were keen on trying this dish, and to be honest, our expectations with this
dish were sky high, but the dish was delicious, no doubt about it, but our expectations
being this high, the dish did not live upto it! What we were served, was
basically, a besan chilla with the teekhi and meethi chutney, dabeli na singh
dana, pomegranate seeds and lots of sev! One suggestion: Have this dish once it arrives at your
table; else its gonna start going soggy after a few minutes!
Satpadi
Roti and Gatta Nu Shaak(INR 225++): This used to be one of my
father’s favourite dishes, and one of the major reasons why we chose to order
this over anything else, was, all through the starters, my mother has only
maintained that had he been alive, and the foodie that he was, this place would
have turned into his all time favourite restaurant, and boy oh boy oh boy! The
only thing I could imagine as I ate this dish was my father telling me, “Tas,
aane kevaay satpadi roti and gatta nu shaak, wandho etlo ke shaak ma rasso
vadhaare che ane gaata ocha!” (Tas, this what the perfect satpadi roti and
gatta ki sabji is like, only concern being there was more gravy and less gatta
in the curry!)!
Roti and Gatta Nu Shaak(INR 225++): This used to be one of my
father’s favourite dishes, and one of the major reasons why we chose to order
this over anything else, was, all through the starters, my mother has only
maintained that had he been alive, and the foodie that he was, this place would
have turned into his all time favourite restaurant, and boy oh boy oh boy! The
only thing I could imagine as I ate this dish was my father telling me, “Tas,
aane kevaay satpadi roti and gatta nu shaak, wandho etlo ke shaak ma rasso
vadhaare che ane gaata ocha!” (Tas, this what the perfect satpadi roti and
gatta ki sabji is like, only concern being there was more gravy and less gatta
in the curry!)!
Kathiyawadi
Mix Sabji(INR
250++): okay, so the Gujju in me really really wanted to have the rassawala
bateta nu shaak and phulka rotli and the moment I suggest ordering it, my mum
instantly snapped, “What’s with you and bateta nu rassa-wadu shaak, you want to
eat it at home practically every third day, no way you’re eating this here! Order
Kathiyawadi shaak! Hence, the kathiyawadi mix sabji was ordered, (this comes
with two phulkas, we requested for an extra one too). A little on the sweeter
side, mix vegetables and paneer in a tomato gravy, this, undoubtedly, was
finger-licking delicious!
Mix Sabji(INR
250++): okay, so the Gujju in me really really wanted to have the rassawala
bateta nu shaak and phulka rotli and the moment I suggest ordering it, my mum
instantly snapped, “What’s with you and bateta nu rassa-wadu shaak, you want to
eat it at home practically every third day, no way you’re eating this here! Order
Kathiyawadi shaak! Hence, the kathiyawadi mix sabji was ordered, (this comes
with two phulkas, we requested for an extra one too). A little on the sweeter
side, mix vegetables and paneer in a tomato gravy, this, undoubtedly, was
finger-licking delicious!
And then came the
time for dessert, and dessert, ALWAYS is a good idea, isn’t it?
time for dessert, and dessert, ALWAYS is a good idea, isn’t it?
Baked
Rasgulla(INR
250++): An earlier very bad experience with Baked Rasgulla at another place
knocked this off our list, and the debate happened between kulfi and Gulab Jamun
and hand churned ice creams; that’s when we were suggested Baked Rasgulla!
Reluctantly, we called for it and there comes this not very appealing looking
white slob on a plate; and I cringed; literally, but mind you, looks can be
deceiving! This, was the best dessert that I have had, in a long long time!
Super hot Rabdi, cool rasgulla’s OH MY GOD! What a perfect way to end the meal!
I really am at a loss of words to describe how much all of us enjoyed this
dish!!
Rasgulla(INR
250++): An earlier very bad experience with Baked Rasgulla at another place
knocked this off our list, and the debate happened between kulfi and Gulab Jamun
and hand churned ice creams; that’s when we were suggested Baked Rasgulla!
Reluctantly, we called for it and there comes this not very appealing looking
white slob on a plate; and I cringed; literally, but mind you, looks can be
deceiving! This, was the best dessert that I have had, in a long long time!
Super hot Rabdi, cool rasgulla’s OH MY GOD! What a perfect way to end the meal!
I really am at a loss of words to describe how much all of us enjoyed this
dish!!
Pista
Kulfi(INR
200++): Last but not the least, rich, creamy and delicious, but yes, nothing beat
that baked rasgulla!
Kulfi(INR
200++): Last but not the least, rich, creamy and delicious, but yes, nothing beat
that baked rasgulla!
FIRKI* you’ll won
my heart, and not just mine, my family’s too (and mind you my mother and
younger sister are the last ones who would get impressed with food!!)!! Thank You for giving we
Gujaratis, a reason to go out and relish a cuisine,that is so close to our
hearts!
my heart, and not just mine, my family’s too (and mind you my mother and
younger sister are the last ones who would get impressed with food!!)!! Thank You for giving we
Gujaratis, a reason to go out and relish a cuisine,that is so close to our
hearts!
The author was
invited for a review by the restaurant owners; and I must mention that the
restaurant people did not realise that am the blogger who was invited and
treated me like a normal customer (including giving me a bill, which was then
taken back when they realised their blunder) and yes, the food was THAT GOOD!
invited for a review by the restaurant owners; and I must mention that the
restaurant people did not realise that am the blogger who was invited and
treated me like a normal customer (including giving me a bill, which was then
taken back when they realised their blunder) and yes, the food was THAT GOOD!
It's tempting ladyyyyyy!!! And totally yum!!
And we're going there! When we decide to paint the town red green and blue!!
Yes! Yes! Yes!
wow the photos look so tempting… you must take photography seriously… and this place is on my list nxt time I vist India..
Thank You so much Unnati; it indeed was a wonderful dining experience and amongst those very few ones that will be etched in memory forever.
Photography, I still have a very long way to go.
Love Always,
Such!!