My TripAdvisor Review No.367: Betty's Place, Cavelossim. Excellent Goan Cuisine and Ambience.

Betty’s Place is one of the best Goan restaurants in South Goa. It is located in Cavelossim just opposite the Holiday Inn Resort, and a little off the main road with sufficient parking space besides the restaurant. We first walked past the restaurant and the quaint bungalow to enjoy the scenery on the banks of the River Sal where Betty’s Catamaran were moored. The boat can be hired for short cruises and dolphin spotting trips in the sea.

We returned from our short walk and settled down for drinks and lunch. The place has a very relaxed atmosphere with a lot of greenery around. The restaurant is nicely decorated with wooden tables and chairs and is covered by a cane and bamboo roof. Service was friendly and courteous. Prices were reasonable compared to some of the other fine dining restaurants nearby.

We had fish fingers as starters with drinks. I enjoyed their prawns balchao with rice. The gravy was a little sweet, a little spicy and a little tangy and blended excellently with the steamed rice. We tried their tuna salad which was also good.

All in all we had a very satisfying meal in the quiet and peaceful ambience of the Goan countryside, and would love to visit again.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.366: Traveler's Bar & Restaurant, Varca, Goa. Decent Beach Shack Opposite Emerald Palms.

Traveler Bar & Restaurant is located inland, just opposite Club Mahindra’s Emerald Palms in Varca. It is a decent shack offering drinks and all kinds of food from North Indian, Goan, Chinese and Continental. They open early around 8 am and even serve breakfast. Since it is not located on the beach they are open all year round, even in the rainy season.

We were staying at Emerald Palms so we just walked across for dinner and to have a Goan shack experience. The restaurant was dimly lit but nicely decorated. There were cane chairs and tables, even the roof was made of cane and bamboo, and the dining hall was enclosed by a wooden fence giving the place a magical countryside ambience.

We tried out their fish curry rice, which was pretty good, and their Al Tono Pizza, which had tuna fish in the topping. Service was friendly and helpful with the manager giving us his suggestions when we were ordering. Prices were a bit on the high side. They accepted card payment.

This is a good alternative for tourists staying in the 5 stars around the restaurant, to try out Goan shack dining in the lush green countryside.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.365: All India Special Bhel (Rambhau Bhel). Kolhapur. Spicy Evening Snack.

This Bhel restaurant is also known as ‘Rambhau Bhel’, after the name of the owner, who himself prepares and mixes all the ingredients in front of you as soon as you order. It is a small restaurant where you can either have your bhel, served in a paper cone, sitting on a plastic stool there itself, or carry it packed in a paper bag to share with your family at home. It is located about 5 minutes walking distance from the iconic Mahalaxmi Temple.

It is a different variation from the bhel-puri which we get in Mumbai. Most of the ingredients are the same and include puffed rice, sev, papdi, crushed puri, bhadang, coriander, chaat masala and topped with a whole slit green chilly. The wet (oli) bhel has a tangy tamarind chutney and a green spicy chutney, while the sukhi (dry) bhel does not have any chutney. The main difference we found was that Rambhau’s bhel did not have any chopped boiled potatoes or tomatoes, and very little coriander and onion. Still it was quite tasty and we enjoyed the crunchiness of the sukhi bhel and the tanginess of the oli bhel. We could customise the spiciness of the taste by simply telling Mr. Rambhau to add less spicy chutney.

The prices were very reasonable varying between ₹25 to ₹60 per serving. It is worth trying out this snack in the evening if you are near the temple.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.364: Rankala Lake, Kolhapur. Promenade by the Lake.

Rankala Lake is one of the prominent landmarks of Kolhapur city. It is a 5 minute walk from the Mahalaxmi Temple towards the west, next to the highway going to Gaganbawda.

We stayed overnight at Kolhapur and got a chance to go for an early morning walk to the lakeside. Many of the local residents of Kolhapur use the promenade by the lake for their regular morning walks. The walkway towards the Shalini Palace and the Boat Club has been beautified with plants and green shrubs, but the track near the temple side were not so clean, though still useable. There is a nice garden with benches, near the Boat Club.

There were many food stalls near the boat club selling snacks like missal, bhel, tea and coffee for the tourists who visit later in the day and in the evenings. Different types of boats are available for a joy ride in the lake.

The calm atmosphere and cool breeze early in the morning makes the lake worth a visit.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.363: Kolhapur. Abode of Goddess Mahalaxmi.

Kolhapur is an ancient city in Southern Maharashtra with a lot of historical, cultural and religious significance. It lies on the national highway no. 48 (NH48) connecting Pune to Bangalore. It is about 230 km south of Pune and about 620 km north of Bangalore. Many a time we have stopped at Kolhapur on our road trips to Bangalore or Goa.

The most significant place to visit in Kolhapur is the Mahalaxmi (also known locally as Ambabai) Temple. It is one of the Shakti Peethas and the most ancient temple dedicated to the goddess. Many devotees first visit this temple before proceeding to the Balaji Temple in Tirupati. Another famous temple is the Jyotiba Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, about 20 km away, near Shivaji’s Panhala Fort.

There are many other places to visit which include the Maharaja’s Palace, Shahuji Chhatrapati Museum, Siddhagiri Museum and Rankala Lake. A walk around the lake in the early morning or late evening is a must do. Boating facilities are also available at the lake.

There is no dearth of hotels for lodging and boarding in Kolhapur. In fact Kolhapur is a foodie’s delight. Their mutton gravies are prepared in two flavours, known as pandhara rassa (white gravy which is mild and creamy) and tambada rassa (brown and spicy). Some other famous snacks are the misals and bhels of which there are many eateries around the city. The region is also famous for the production of Gur (Jaggery).

There are some other nice places to visit around Kolhapur city. Dajipur Wildlife Sanctuary, Panhala Fort, Amba Ghat, and Kopeshwar Temple are some of them. This makes Kolhapur a destination where one can spend a pleasant few days in sight-seeing and relaxation.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.362: OYO-12748, Govindpuram Apartment, Kolhapur. Penthouse Rooms.

We selected this hotel primarily on the basis of its proximity to the Mahalaxmi Temple of Kolhapur. It is located on Mahadwar Road just about half a kilometre from the temple and we could walk the distance in 5 minutes. Even though it is located in a narrow road with a lot of traffic, they have a secure dedicated basement parking where we could leave our car without any worry.

All the rooms are on the top floor of the building, the lower ones being used as a ceremonial hall for functions. There is an elevator from the basement to the 4th floor, and the staff helped to carry up our luggage. The rooms, though small, are very neat and clean and all have ac. The small washrooms are also spic and span, with basic toiletries provided. Our room had an open air sit-out with a sweeping view of the city. There was a small lcd tv, a dressing table, two bedside tables, a cupboard with a shoe-rack, and a plastic chair provided.

Though they do not have an in house restaurant, food can be delivered to your room from some nearby restaurant. The receptionist, Manini, was very helpful and suggested the names of a few good eateries nearby.

Rankala Lake is a 10 minute walk from the hotel, and it was a pleasurable morning walk. All in all, we had a nice stay and darshan of the Mahalaxmi temple thanks to Govindpuram Apartment.

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• Stayed: September 2018, travelled as a couple
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My TripAdvisor Review No.361: Hotel The Open Kitchen, Kolhapur. Nice Restaurant for Kolhapuri & Vegetarian Food.

Located about half a kilometre from the Mahalaxmi Temple, this restaurant serves tasty local vegetarian snacks and food. We stepped in for lunch on our recent visit to Kolhapur.

The premises were neat and clean, and as the name of the restaurant implied, the kitchen was an open one where we could see our food being prepared. We ordered a Maharashtrian thali and pav bhaji, and both were tasty. The thali had one vegetable, one pulse with gravy and one dal with chapatti, rice, papad, pickle, a little salad and a sweet dish (optional). One can order a Punjabi thali as well, and there were some Punjabi and Chinese dishes in the ala-carte menu. Service is good and the prices are very affordable.

We would definitely visit again for a tasty and nourishing meal.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.360: Sai Food Court, Yelur, NH48. Highway Pit Stop Between Karad and Kolhapur.

Located on NH48 (Pune-Bengaluru Highway) at Yelur, which is about 38 km from Karad and 32 km before Kolhapur, you will see the sign board of ‘Sai International Hotel’ on the left. It is located just after a BPCL petrol pump and it is the fast food outlet of the hotel known as ‘Sai Food Court’. There is ample parking space in the open space outside the restaurant. Even if you are approaching from the Kolhapur side there is a break in the median just opposite the restaurant to cross over.

It is a self-service restaurant, and you have to purchase tokens for your refreshments, and present it at the appropriate counter and grab a table until they call you. They serve good Indian fast foods like idli, wada, pav bhaji, wada pav, chapatti, bhaji, as well as sandwiches, tea and coffee. The snacks are tasty and hot though the prices are slightly on the higher side.

The best thing about Sai Food Court is their extremely clean and large washrooms. And even though the restaurant is self-service, the washroom has a special attendant to squirt some liquid soap and give you a hand tissue after the wash!

The ‘Sai International Hotel’ has good rooms where you can spend the night if you want to break journey. Outside the restaurant there is a general store, paan shop, a scientific toys shop, and a Kolhapuri chappal shop as well, so you need not enter Kolhapur city for your shopping.

We always stop at the Sai Food Court on our Pune Bangalore trips.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.359: Vithal Kamats, Kikvi, NH48, Pune. Highway Pit Stop.

Located on NH48 about 50 km from Pune, as you are driving down from Bangalore, you will see the sign board of Vithal Kamats on the left. It is located next to a HPCL petrol station and it is a good pit stop to refuel your car as well as yourself.

It is a self-service restaurant, but if there are not many customers then the waiter will take the order at your table. They serve good Indian fast foods like idli, wada, pav bhaji, wada pav as well as sandwiches, tea and coffee. The snacks are tasty and hot though the prices are slightly on the higher side.

The good thing about the Vithal Kamats chain along the highways in Maharashtra, is that they are generally attached to good petrol stations, and they always have very clean washrooms. We always stop at the Kikvi outlet before entering Pune.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.358: Cafe Nosh, Bangalore. Good Continental Food, Snacks & Shakes.

If you want the best Continental food restaurant in the Sahakarnagar and Kodigehalli area of Bangalore then Café Nosh is the place to visit. It is located in the quiet and peaceful Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, where there is not much traffic noise and plenty of parking available in the street nearby.

We went there for dinner and tried out their Jalapeno Triangles for starters, along with Strawberry Iced Tea and Oreo Milkshake. The Iced Tea was too sweet but the milkshake was good. For mains we ordered Cheesy Mushroom Spaghetti, Crispy Veg Burger and Veg Corn Steak. The food was quite tasty and filling. Prices were moderate.

The service was very good and the atmosphere was quite cosy in the ac section. They have open air seating as well in the veranda. It is a good place to meet up with friends for an evening out.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.357: Rajdhani Thali, JP Nagar, Bangalore. Traditional Rajasthani Thali with a Gujarati Twist.

We visited the Khandani Rajdhani Thali in Central Mall in JP Nagar last Sunday to savour a Rajasthani meal served in their traditional style by the waiters dressed in white kurtas and red turbans. Being a Sunday lunch all the tables were occupied and we had to wait a while before we could get one. It is better to reserve a table before going.

Our empty shining stainless steel platter with about 10 small katoris (bowls) were laid out neatly on the tables waiting to be filled one by one. First they served a few chutneys, pickles, followed by salad, a couple of heart shaped vegetable cutlets, and a sandwich dhokla. This was followed by dal bati churma, gatte ki sabji, paneer masala and aloo peas, as the vegetable dishes, accompanied by phulkas, parathas and puris as per your choice. This was followed by three sweet dishes, gajjar halwa with gulab jamun, moong dal halwa, and ghevar topped with rabdi. Then they served three types of dal with khichdi, pulao or plain rice and curds. There was a glass of chaas too, and a choice of an extra drink; sweet lassi, mango lassi, jal-jeera or lemon sherbet which was chargeable.

The service was good and prompt, but the water for hand-wash, which they brought around in a brass jug with a brass basin, was cold. The thali is priced quite high but we found out later that they offer the same thali at almost half the rate on Tuesdays.

The dhokla and some sweet dal gave the vegetarian Rajasthani meal a Gujarati twist. The dishes were sprinkled with dollops of ghee. We quite enjoyed the taste of all the dishes, which were not very spicy. At the end of it all we were so full that we could hardly get out of our chairs.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.356: Saputara Adventure Park. Happening Place Of Saputara.

Saputara Adventure Park is the hip and happening place in Saputara. It is located at the same area as the main Sunset Point. It is actually a plateau, like a table land, spread out over a large area on top of the hill, and is also known as the ’Table Point’ of Saputara.

As we drove up to the point we first saw the platform and booking station for the Ropeway Cable Car, next to the Vaity Resort. There is a separate parking area for the Ropeway customers on the right hand side. We had to climb up further to reach the parking lot of the Adventure Park. Parking charges are ₹30 for a car.

We saw a lot of activities in the well spread out plateau, as well as many refreshment stalls a little further away. Kids can enjoy tandem bicycles, pony rides, mini scooters and mobikes, camel rides, rifle shooting and other games. The place looked like a big Fun-Fair where one can spend a good few hours of fun and games.

Further up towards the cliff, there was a board indicating availability of paragliding, ziplining and rappelling, though we did not see anyone doing it. We did see some youth trying their hand at rock climbing. There was another board warning people to be careful while taking selfies!

We had a leisurely walk around the Adventure Park admiring the scenery from the highest point of Saputara. Then we had some onion pakoras and a cup of tea at one of the many snack stalls.

It’s a good place to enjoy the evening with activities for kids, while the parents admire the sunset.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.355: Anando Palms Resort, Hatgad. Excellent Resort Away From The Hustle Bustle.

Anando Palms Resort is now being managed by Club Mahindra Holidays and Resorts. At the entrance you will see the board of Club Mahindra Hatgad, but the name of Anando Palms is also there. Hence the full name of this resort would read as ‘Club Mahindra Anando Palms, Hatgad’.

This resort is located at the border of Maharashtra and Gujarat. The main attraction is the hill town of Saputara, which is 6 km away, and the only hill station of Gujarat. Nashik is the nearest city about 80 km south, and the road to Saputara from Nashik passes through Dindori, Vani and Borgaon. Shivaji’s fort of Hatgad is on top of a hill very close to the resort and one can trek up to the ruined fort from the resort.

It is a very peaceful and serene place to spend a few days away from the hustle and bustle of city life. There is a beautiful lawn and garden at the centre of the resort where we would put up our feet and relax on the charpoys which had been thoughtfully laid out on the lawns. Bicycles were available for hire for the more energetic guests. There is a small swimming pool for the kids in one corner of the campus just behind the souvenir shop.

The restaurant was serving good buffet for the guests, though we preferred the ala-carte dishes. We would drive up to Saputara to have a Gujarati thali for lunch and return to our ac room for an afternoon siesta. Our studio room had all the mod cons like microwave, electric kettle, lcd tv, hair dryer and aircon. There was a nice sit-out for our morning cuppa.

It is better if you have your own vehicle so that you can drive to Saputara whenever you like. Hiring the local cabs can be quite expensive for short trips.

We quite enjoyed our relaxing stay at the resort.

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• Stayed: June 2018, travelled as a couple
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My TripAdvisor Review No.354: Curry Leaves Restaurant, Nashik. Nice Restaurant With A Large Garden.

While going from Nashik to Saputara on State Highway No.17 we stopped at this nice looking restaurant which had a huge green open space and garden. It is located about 8 km from Nashik city. We parked just outside in the parking lot which could accommodate about 10 cars.

There was a marriage party in progress in the large non ac section, so we were accommodated in the ac section which had full size glass windows, so we could admire the greenery outside. The wall behind had pretty wall paper with the picture of a tree with weaver bird’s nests. The ambience of the restaurant was very good.

They serve only vegetarian food. We ordered Veg Handi with Naan, and a glass of buttermilk. We enjoyed the taste of the food. Prices were reasonable. Service was good.

We liked the restaurant, and so we stopped here on the way back from Saputara as well, for breakfast. The Medu wada and Sabudana wada was served piping hot with some coffee.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.353: MTDC Holiday Resort, Trimbakeshwar, Nashik.

Decent Resort With Lots Of Greenery, 1 km from Temple.

This is a resort run by Sanskruti Group in collaboration with MTDC. It is about 1 km from the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, so it is away from the noise and dust of main town, which is always bustling with pilgrims from all over India.

We had booked our room on the MTDC website, so our check-in was quick and easy. Our room was quite large, in fact there were two rooms with 2 double beds, so it can accommodate 4 guests. There was a wooden cupboard and dressing table, small lcd tv, a writing table and 2 bedside tables. The air conditioner was working well, and we had to switch it off in the night as the climate was pleasant after the rain. The bathroom was spacious, but a broken health faucet had not been repaired. Towel and soap was provided but no toilet paper. Hot water was switched on at 7 am by the staff.

We had our dinner at the resort’s restaurant which was housed in a shed in the garden. The restaurant was not very clean, but the food was quite tasty and the prices were reasonable. We had a friendly dog and an unfriendly goose for company, though they kept their distance. Next morning’s tea was not ready at 7.30 am so I walked to a nearby stall to bring our tea back in a thermos flask.

The resort is good enough for an overnight stay. Cars can be parked just outside the rooms. It is very near the Brahmagiri Hill, and the trek to the hilltop starts from the back gate of the resort. The ambience of the resort is green and serene.

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• Stayed: June 2018, travelled as a couple
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