Raaga, Thali & Pure Veg Restaurant
Raaga – Thali & Pure Veg Restaurant
“Raaga- Thali & Pure Veg Restaurant” is a new thali place, opened in PCMC area. that specializes in authentic Maharashtrian cuisine. It’s a pure Veg outlet, which serves unlimited thali and ala carte menu.
Ambiance
Ambiance
The ambiance is simple and cozy. The entrance, decorated nicely with greens on walls and yellow lightning gives a warm feeling. The waiting area has small stools to sit on which are carved with Raaga imprints over it.
They have varied seating arrangements. The upper floor, which serves unlimited thali and lower floor which serves ala carte menu. They have TV to entertain while having food. Good place for family dinner and friends get together.
Service is quick and good.
It was a bang on start with one of my favorite appetizers –
Surla Chi Vadi
Surla Chi Vadi – Surla chi vadi in Marathi or Khandvi in Gujarati. It’s a light appetizer made with besan and chach and garnished with mustard seeds, grated coconut. It was so delicious, that it hardly took us any time to swipe off the plate. Perfectly made. #HighlyRecommended
Kothimbir Vadi
Kothimbir Vadi – This one dish was long pending on my list to try. This crisp, savory snack, was perfectly cooked and had amazing flavors. It is made with besan and lots of coriander (Kothimbir) as name suggests, with few spices.
Rawadi Paneer Tikka
Rawadi Paneer Tikka – As smooth as malai, this melt in mouth paneer had mild flavors with creamy texture. Perfect to go with green mint chutney served along.
Tandoori Manchurian
Tandoori Manchurian – This was one of the unique, interesting and innovative dish. Mixed Veg Manchurian balls were coated with tandoori marinade and cooked to perfection. The nice tangy and aromatic crust with mildly flavored veggies inside was a perfect blend.
Pahadi Paneer Tikka
Pahadi Paneer Tikka – As the name suggests Pahadi, this tikka was high on spice. Had lots of green chili marinade. Good for those who love spicy food.
Drinks –
Aam Panna
Aam Panna – A perfect drink for summers to cool down body temperature. This had nice flavours a perfect blend with sweetness of sugar and sourness of Kaccha aam (Raw mango). I liked it.
Unlimited Veg Thali
Veg Thali – They serve unlimited thali with number of dishes. To start with Kothimbir Vadi, Moong Dal bhaji, roti/bhakri (optional). In Clockwise direction – Pulav, Steamed rice, Dal Fry, Pitla, Amti, matar(peas) ki sabzi, Batata bhaji, Regular Dal, Koshimbir and Gulab Jamun.For the first time I had tried Maharashtrian thali and I loved everything, few dishes need special mention. Pulav had lots of veggies and perfectly spiced, Pitla is made with besan with lots of water and cooked till perfection. Balanced flavours. Matar ki sabzi was the best dish in thali for me. Koshimbir, raita kind of a dish with cucumber was slightly sweet, a perfect accompaniment. Amti, the Maharashtrian version of Tuar dal flavoured with jaggery, tamarind pulp and goda masala (dry spice of Maharashtra cuisine). The perfect sweet, tangy, sour taste. #Recommended
Main Course
Spread
Jamun Ka Korma
Jamun Ka Korma – Deep fried dumplings, dipped in red gravy. Dumplings were perfectly cooked and mildly flavored to go well along with gravy. Gravy had nice flavors with balanced spices.
Anguri Cheese Masala
Anguri Cheese Masala – Cute little balls dipped in creamy, cheesy white gravy. This dish is slightly on a sweeter side. Nice texture and mildly flavored. I liked it.
Malvani Bhaji
Malvani Bhaji – As Malvani cuisine is predominantly Non- Vegetarian, vegetables did not absorb the bold flavors of the gravy properly. So the blend of gravy and veggies could not match. This dish was just not meant for my taste buds.
Raaga Special Veg
Raaga Special Veg – This sabzi had two variants, one in green gravy and other one in red. Red gravy had mixed vegetables in it and was done nicely. The green curry on the other hand, was palak paneer. The palak had little raw taste in it.
Bombay Biryani
Bombay Biryani – The biryani was served with raita. It was loaded with veggies and flavors. Not a typical Dum biryani flavor, but more on a spicier variant on rice with spices and veggies. Balanced in flavors. Loved it. This was a hit on the table. #Recommended
Then it was time for desserts –
Desserts
Fruit Custard with ice-cream – Fresh fruit custard with vanilla ice-cream and lots of mango flavor. Loved it. #MustTry
Ukadiche Modak – When having a Maharashtrian cuisine this sweet is must have on a plate. Made with rice flour, steamed and filled with coconut and jaggery. Perfect sweetness and rightly steamed. Loved it. #MustHave
Gulab Jamun – Soft and melt in mouth. A perfect Indian dessert to end with.
Cost – Average Cost is 500/- for two.
The Unlimited thali cost is – Rs.315/- The dishes keep changing daily.
Timings – Sunday – Monday – 11:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Location – 202, Gawade Estate, Old Mumbai-Pune Road, ChinchwadStation, Chinchwad, Pune
Overall Experience – Overall, a lovely place with simple, yet cozy ambience & comfortable seating arrangement. Good for family dinners and friends get together. Value for money place for a traditional, hygienic and good tasting food.
