Vivek Vetal
Google
Last week, I decided to try a much-talked-about Misal hotel nearby, hoping to satisfy my craving for spicy, hearty Maharashtrian fare. As someone who truly enjoys exploring local food joints, I was curious to see how this place stacks up against the hype.
Getting there was my first challenge. The hotel is located on a busy street, and finding a spot to park turned out to be quite a hassle. After several minutes of circling the block, I finally managed to squeeze my car awkwardly into a tight lane nearby. If you’re planning your own visit, be prepared for some parking inconvenience.
Stepping inside, I was greeted by a pleasant atmosphere—the place has a lively, welcoming vibe. It’s neat, relatively spacious, and filled with the comforting aroma of spices. The chatter of satisfied diners and the clatter from the kitchen gave it a nice, bustling feel without being overwhelming. Honestly, the ambiance is one of the hotel's stronger points.
Now, onto the main event: the Misal. I had set my expectations fairly high, but the dish itself was average at best. The spice level was spot-on for traditional Misal lovers—fiery, but not overpowering. However, the blend of flavors didn’t quite come together for me. The usal (lentil curry) felt a bit bland, the farsan (crispy topping) was passable, and the pav (bread roll) was nothing out of the ordinary. It wasn’t bad, but certainly not memorable or stand-out compared to other Misal I’ve had at smaller, less-known places. I’d say it’s just fine if you’re looking to satisfy a random Misal craving but don’t expect to be wowed.
Service was okayish. The staff were polite and reasonably attentive, but nothing remarkable. My order took a while to arrive, and despite the crowd not being excessive, there was some confusion with my bill at the end. While nobody was rude, I felt the staff could be a bit more prompt and organized—especially given the hotel’s popularity.
If you’re someone who values ambiance, this hotel checks the box. If food is your primary motivator, especially for something as fiercely competitive as Misal, you might leave wishing for a bit more punch and originality. The service neither adds nor detracts much from the experience, but the parking situation is a definite inconvenience that’s hard to overlook.