Hotel Satkar, Vikhroli, Mumbai

Restaurant Name: Hotel Satkar, Vikhroli, Mumbai
Phone: +912225785521, +918291014526
Address: Station Road, Gandhi Nagar, Vikhroli West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400083 India
Time: 06:30 AM – 11:30 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 450
Cuisines: North Indian, South Indian, Chinese, Fast Food, Beverages
Facilities: Breakfast, Home Delivery, Takeaway Available, Vegetarian Only, Free Parking, Indoor Seating

This one sure is a ‘Delicious Discovery’ (and tops my new ‘Delicious Discovery’ series on Instagram). Satkkar Bar and Kitchen is in Vikhroli. We brave the traffic and the long drive from South Mumbai and we are happy that we did. This five-month-old restaurant surprises us in many different ways.

Hotel Satkar, Vikhroli, Mumbai: Decor

It’s perched near the Vikhroli railway station. Walk up to the first floor into an elegant, dramatically lit, chandeliered large room with a fully stocked bar. Walk another flight of stairs up to the al fresco terrace

with pink flowers strung on top. This area serves well as a brunch, champagne and wine lounge. They serve a full meal here as well. We opt to sit here for the cool weather, the sunshine and also to be safe in the pandemic. Praful Nave, the dynamo operations head is always around and ensures friendly and smooth service.

From Avocado Bhel To Alleppey Fish Curry

Robustly spiced Rajasthani Laal Maas with succulent mutton is as excellent as the velvety thin, tangy Kerala Fish Curry. The 32-year old Chef Sandeep Panwar excels in almost all regions, from the spiced up Maharashtrian Thecha Macchi to the Punjabi Pakoda Kadhi. Equally delicious and beautifully served are the healthy and crunchy Avocado Bhel, and Pudina Paani Puri. Pan Asian, Chinese staples from Classic Chicken Chilly to Pan Fried Noodles are a must try. Plenty for vegetarians in all cuisines. It’s the fab desserts which take the cake, be it the spongy delicious Gulab Jamun flambeed with rum at the table or the dreamy creamy Chocolate Rasgulla made with scotch. The bar also serves up many an innovative cocktail like Peru pyala, Bombay Beats and Chinese Tale.

Hotel Satkar, Vikhroli, Mumbai: My Point

I’m celebrating. Four major reasons to do so. Firstly, when I first started tracking Mumbai’s restaurant scene (In India’s firstever city restaurant guide), there were only five-star-hotel restaurants and Iranis and Udipis. The far-flung suburbs were sadly sparsely populated with restaurants. And the few and far between ones were below average. Happily, it’s a whole different scene now. Secondly, most restaurants served only North Indian

fare. Regional Indian dishes were missing completely. Satkkar has corrected that. Third reason to celebrate? Sachin Shetty’s guts to open during the pandemic and that, too, such a high quality restaurant. Elegant interiors and authentic regional Indian dishes make it the only fine dining destination between Bhandup and Ghatkopar.

Finally, it’s great to see the young ones delivering joy. Be it Chef Sandeep Panwar and his team or the front of house team led by Praful Nave. The young owner, Sachin Shetty, having inherited his hospitality genes from his father (who set up the Chembur-based pure vegetarian Hotel Saroj and sweet shop which continues to be popular) devotes full attention to Satkkar. Sachin ensures the food, service, decor and value for-money price points continue to make Satkkar Bar and Kitchen a must visit in Versova.