Gajalee, MIDC

We Bengali's usually have an attitude to fish. Do not get me wrong. We love fish - but we usually turn up our noses at any preparation which is not Bengali. We are completely enamoured with European preparations, the grill, the Muniyar we are in love with but usually we feel that if it is Indian cooking we are talking about, no one cooks the fish as well as the Bengali. This is where Gajalee proves a point for Konkan cuisine with outstanding fried and Tandoor preparation of the Bangda and the Pomfret. However they have reached culinary nirvana with their version of the Bombvil or the Bombay Duck. If you can stand the smell of fish, you must... try the Bombvil fry at Gajalee and I will insist... Do squeeze some lemon on top before devouring the fry.
Gajalee also serves some great Crab Butter Garlic and Squid but I think the last visit was one of our most focused and hardcore. There were three of us and between us we polished off 4 plates of Bombvil Fry and 2 plates of Bharwa Bombvil (Bombvil stuffed with prawns). The Bharwa Bombvil is great on its own but I do not rate it as the sum of its parts separate servings of prawns ans Bombvil fry is far greater than the whole. Overall a fantastic option and I can declare that if I ever had time for one meal in Mumbai, I would go to Gajalee and order the Bombay Duck.
Gajalee can burn a hole in your wallet if you freak out on the large crabs and prawns which are priced as per catch. Standard meals involving Bombvil fry, Neer Dosa and Prawn Gassi/ Mutton Masala should cost two people without drinks approximately Rs 750/-
How to get there: Gajalee has multiple branches in Mumbai. Phoenix Mills would be easiest to reach, we last went to the one in Andheri East, MIDC. It falls on the lane to the right if you are on the MIDC road going from Chakala towards JVLR (look out for the sign on the right that is visible from the road).