Ammhi Khavayye, Parel, Mumbai Maharashtrian Food Restaurant

Restaurant Name: Ammhi Khavayye, Parel, Mumbai
Phone: +91 8879901208, +91 8828154084
Address: Shop 12, Manubhai Bhagwandas Chawl, Jagannath Bhatankar Marg, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Time: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 600
Cuisines: Malwani, Maharashtrian, Goan
Facilities: Home Delivery, Outdoor Seating, Indoor Seating

I’m the happiest when I sniff out “no-frills”, “family run”, “seriously small” eateries. Ironically, I write this from the south of France, where I’ve just dined in two gastronomique restaurants with three Michelin stars each. Magnificent no doubt, but Ammhi Khavayye kind of eateries have a charm of their own. And, I got to know about it thanks my hardworking foodie spy VB. The forever sporting, globetrotting Shamit Vasa, who works with a large Indian conglomerate where his passion for business development is tapped, joined his mom Nina and me. He enjoys dining as much as he does being a home chef. We gave a thumbs up and the family Vasa went back weeks later to check for consistency.

Ammhi Khavayye, Parel, Mumbai: Decor

Walk into the tiny 20 or 24-seater boxed in room. Even though it is air-conditioned, it has fans. A large painting on the wall of a seaside village dominates the small room.

Ammhi Khavayye, Parel, Mumbai: Food

Malvani ingredients are brought from Kokan, Nagothane and Vaibhavwadi. Masalas are hand-pounded and dishes made to grandma and aunty’s recipes, who cook themselves in the restaurant kitchen.

Begin with the homemade flavorful Kokum Avla Sarbat.We recommend the Ambat Amati kissed with the sweetness of kokum, jaggery and tadka of sajuk ghee. The other standout dishes: Prawn biryani moist with deep notes of Malwani masala. Crab lollipops are fleshy sweet spheres enrobed in batter and deep fried golden. And oh! Yes, the Poha Papad from Alibag.

Surmai Malvani-style fry, bombil fry as well as the coriander and Malwani spiced green tisrya (shellfish) passed muster. There’s a choice of several value for money thalis — Dashavtari Thali: Rs. 595 (non veg), Matsya Darbar (seafood) Thali: Rs. 540 with ten overflowing vatis, rice et al.

Minus Points:

Vegetarians need more dishes. Lacklustre Malwani chicken masala, over-salted mutton. Messily served up food. Ukadhiche modak of coconut, fried fruits and jaggery had a very thick, chewy rice flour skin. No alcohol. No parking. No reservations.

My Point:

Tiny, no-frills, family run, tucked into Prabhadevi, Ammhi Khavyya — meaning ‘we foodies’ (I find out much later) — is a product of passion of Germany-based engineer Tushar Nagan, who loves to cook and has got his whole family into the act. More vegetarian dishes needed. The seafood ones are better than the chicken and mutton. Desserts avoidable. VFM thalis. Every family run restaurant has the advantage of that authentic home style touch, but on the downside, there can be patchy, amateurish inconsistencies, too. But, go if you like new experiences and are a non-vegetarian who loves Malwani food. Parking impossible. Walk in early (no booking). Roll up your sleeves, tuck in, and you’ll end up licking your fingers.