Kolhapuri thali

Kolhapuri mutton thali

 -Brian Mendonca

We were very excited yesterday. We planned to sample the Kolhapuri fare at a joint in Panjim we had not visited before. Doing a lunch entailed some logistics as we had to pick up Dwayne from school and then set off. There was a nip in the air, with monsoon winds apace, but we were undeterred. I put on my waistcoat and felt one with the elements.

I balked when I noticed that we had not brought along a change for Dwayne. As we sat closely at the circular table I was marking buttons that Dwayne would not spill curry over his new uniform. Thankfully he did not.

The Kolhapuri thali was worth waiting for. The thali looked delicious. Queenie proudly took me through the contents of the vatis. There was pandra rasa; tamda rasa, kokum curry; hot bakri rotis; pulao; salad; egg curry; and mutton curry. Queenie also asked for pitla. The last time we had authentic Maharashtrian fare was at our preferred spot in Pune - Maratha Samrat. We were so glad we could now savour the same food in Goa, that too 5 minutes away from Don Bosco High school. 

What really warmed us to the idea - after Queenie's online research - was the welcome in the voice of the proprietor. He sounded young, dynamic, and chose his words carefully. He informed me that the mutton thali and chicken thali was available on Wednesday. 

When we reached he was nowhere to be seen. He was upstairs overseeing the cooking. I called him on my phone and he scurried down and took our order. We noticed he was serving us himself. Soon more people arrived and had to stand for sitting space. Outside it was drizzling. A group of youngsters were there before us. Their chatter in Marathi added to the ambience. 

It was a good experience. The place is off the main road, tucked away in a bylane. Take the lane inside after Dr. Path Labs on the main road.  We even got parking there. The thalis are reasonably priced. As we parted I asked if Vimal was his name. He said it was his mother's name. He also shared that he works for a leading newspaper. It was evident that he is passionate about food and for keeping Kolhapuri cuisine alive.

He did say that people rave about his tandoori chai. But we have not tried that yet. Maybe the steel kettles suspended over the entrance would vouch for that.
----------------------------
Pic taken by Brian Mendonca at Vimal Kolhapur Cafe, Zarina Towers, Ground floor, St. Inez road, Panjim, Goa on 13 July 2022. Updated 15/7/22.