This is one place I am glad has several branches in Mumbai, one in Singapore and the other in Mangalore. I have visited Gajale in Mumbai (the Andheri East branch) and in Mangalore and I am a huge fan of the restaurant. Had I known they had a branch in Singapore, I would have surely made a beeline for a good meal there during my trip to Singapore last year.
Anyway, coming back to the important part of my restaurant review, Gajale is a seafood lover's paradise and I can safely say, I have found mine in the Mangalore branch. Set in the Old Circuit House Compound, the ambience of Gajale is that of an old British bungalow/ circuit house, with a drive way and parking on one side and a panoramic view of Mangalore on the other. Take a stroll before or after your meal at Gajale to complete the sea food dining expereince and relish the view from the top. Their staff is so courteous that it makes us want to go there every time we visit Mangalore.
What is good there? Well, quite everything and its very difficult to choose from the list. I can guarantee that when you read the menu card, you'll start salivating in auto. Don't believe me, go try it yourself.
You must try one of Gajale's signature dishes the Bombil Fry (Bombay Duck - no it's not duck, but a sea fish). Since this fish is so delicate and soft, they deep fry it in a masala batter and serve it hot with a spicy dip. Have one, and you'll ask for more.
For starters, Squid Butter Pepper Garlic, Crispy Prawns or Golden Fried Prawns taste divine with the Soul Curry or Solkadi - a heavenly blend of spice and tang that consists of coconut milk, ginger, curry leaves and kokum which serves as a digestive. You can go for beer as well to compliment your sea food; but as they say, 'When in Rome, do as to Romans do', so when in Gajale, drink Solkadi with sea food. A fantastic combination, I can totally vouch for that.
An ideal way to do justice to an awesome meal at Gajale is to order for Pomfret Fish Curry in Konkan style accompanied with steamed rice. You will not need anything else to go with this as this combination in itself is perfect. The Pomfret is absolutely divine, its soft, succulent and melts in the mouth the moment you take one bite.; what's more, the curry does full justice to the fish by keeping the flavour of the fish intact. A hint of coconut in the gravy with all the masalas is what you would like to lighten up your day.
Sorry, after eating all this, we usually refrain from having desserts as we don't want to spoil the taste of the sea food. So on your next trip to Mangalore, I suggest you pay Gajale a visit.
*Pricing:
Squid Chilly - Rs. 125/-
Crispy Prawns - Rs. 275/-
Golden Fried Prawns - Rs. 275/-
Tandoori Crab - Rs. 1,300/- (as per catch)
Pomfret Curry - Rs. 1,200/- (as per catch)
Plain Rice - Rs. 25/-
Steamed Rice - Rs. 35/-
Squid Butter Pepper Garlic - Rs. 125/-
Cream of Chicken Soup - Rs. 70/-
Neer Dosa - Rs. 12/-
Overall Rating:
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Location:
Gajalee Mangalore
Circuit House Compound,
Kadri Hills,
Mangalore 575004
Phone - +91 824 222 1900,
*Please Note - Pricing may change/ vary according to location and time.
and so I love this place. This is where we usually go on weekends and catch up after work and enjoy a hearty meal.
, with the famous 
cartoonist Mario Miranda's caricatured walls. Froth on Top has a similar wall decor (maybe by a Mario fan), where the artist does seem to have his/ her own style of caricature that captures the essence of Mangalore very well. By the time your food and drinks arrive, you can look at the walls and you'll know what a day in Mangalore feels like! But mind you, Froth on Top has a spacious seating arrangement both indoors and outdoors and is not as cluttered and noisy as Mondegar. (No offence meant, I love Mondy's, it's just that since I get to explore so much, it widens my outlook and gives me a new perspective).