Veary Tastee …. Review on Geeta Bhavan, Chembur, Mumbai

India is a country of diverse cultures , due to different geographical environments and semantic variety within the country. With all these differences comes the gastronomical diversity … Broadly Indian Food is better known for its Northern read Punjabi Food and the Southern Food. Northern Food is very rich and heavy with lots of emphasis on Clarified Butter ,Thick Gravies and Wheat based Breads reflecting the climatic conditions in the region. The southern food on the other hand is light and Rice based considering the hot climate in this part of the country.

At Chembur in the eastern part of the commercial capital of India Mumbai (Bombay) , just a few paces away from the Railway Station and in the heart of the Local market lies Geeta Bhuvan . Now Geeta Bhuvan is a Udipi eatery which is the common term used for south Indian Restaurants. This is because South Indian restauranters are generally Shetty's who normally hail from the town Udipi. It is a very simple restaurant and very basic , with no air-conditioning and simple seating. It can seat around 100 people at one time.

This Pure vegetarian restaurant is quite reputed and well known in Chembur .. my hometown. Its been there for more than 3 decades. It started off serving only south Indian food , but since last 5 to 6 years had added Punjabi Food to its Menu. As I would put it '' Chinese Food is best eaten in China'' , now using this self made proverb I can say that the South Indian food served here is marvelous. The Scrumptious Browned crisp Medu Wada's which are lentil based savories served with some piping hot Sambar and delightful chutney makes up for a great start . A typical south indian I always say ''The best Udipi restaurant is judged by the sambar it serves …''. The sambar is always served piping hot and is spicy and sour with a tinge of sweetness. Some eateries tend to go a bit too much on the Sugary side. The Dosas which are rice and lentil bases pancakes thin and crisp are great out here. The Sada Dosa is good, the Mysore masala with this coated chutney and potato filling is heavenly. But guys hold yourself the best here is Rava Dosa which is made from semolina. The best Rava dosas are always made by my mom , no one can ever beat that !!! but Geeta Bhuvan comes second best .

Apart from the Dosas & Vadas you get some great Veg Bondas out here. You get some great fresh fruit juices and the general fare. The Punjabi Food is good but nothing much to rave and rant about !!! , but it is certainly worth a try once in a while. He also has a Pav Bhaji Stall , the Pav Bhaji served here is good, not the best though. One can wash down the food with milkshakes and Ice creams. On Sundays you can taste the typical south Indian Pongal Avial which is a Rice Dish served with a coconut based vegetable curry. Each day of the week has a special Dish too ..

The Prices are down to earth in real sense. The Vadas and Sada Dosa hover around the Rs 15 mark with the specialized dosas goin not more than Rs 25 . The punjabi food is a little high priced. And to put in a glamour angle this restaurant was frequented by the late Hindi Director Actor Raj Kapoor. This place is avoidable on weekend evenings and holidays coz its ''terribly crowded''.

Do check this place out when at chembur , makes up for a good eat !!!