Godrej Nature's Basket , Juhu: I like this store because the staff (especially the person by the veggies section) is super friendly and useful especially since I am not at all useful to myself or anyone else around veggies/groceries. I have no idea how much is a "pau" or how much I can get in 250 gm or 1/2 kilo or 1 kilo. (I am getting better now). They are also good because they do not have tooooo many choices in the veggie section unlike a hypercity or a star bazaar - all good things for being less confused and distracted.
They have great cheeses and will do a great cheese and cold cuts platter if you are having a party. I was able to give my own empty platter and leave it for an hour by which time it was all dressed and ready to party (unlike its owner who had just got her hair done but still needed to go home, shower, get dressed etc). They typically need 30 mins to dress up the platter and you can select the cheeses, cold cuts etc. If you are like me, you can give them some general direction and leave it to them. They did a terrific job dressing it up with some fruits, cheese, cold cuts on a bed of lettuce. You can tell them your price limit and leave the rest to them. Brilliant !
They have a selection of International foods as well as low fat choices. They also have a wine section. However, when my neighbor suggested I go to STAR bazaar as NB is very expensive I did so but I find NB works for me - a DINK with little time and patience who doesn't want too many choices and cant be bothered to sift through a dozen tomatoes to find the best ones. (also note DINK = Lazy :-) . However, do not order from there over the phone. India still hasn't figured this out -- the cold stuff isn't transported well and this one time, they completely messed up my order and delivered so much more of things I didn't ask for and charged for it as well.
I also find that Bandra's Natures Basket may be a tad bit better stocked than Juhu. They also have some dips however the better place for buying very tasty dips and a good variety of them (at least 6 types) is Society Store in Juhu. They also have a ready dosa batter and a ready chutney pack. All one has to do is put the contents of the chutney pack in a mixie and its ready. They also have ready rotis which will last for 24 hours. Great for days the maid doesnt show up. All these are closest to home food as you will get. Their veggies etc come in neat packs and may be more expensive than some other stores. However, this is a store that has everything - the local stuff, the international stuff and lot of snacks - desi and videshi. Enjoy !
Star Bazaar - Andheri. Went on reco of a neighbour. Huge store. Cheaper than above but better for bulk buying. Didnt have a good experience with fresh food that was far from fresh and quite stale. Good place for stainless steel and other home-ware but because of the lack of "freshness" in fresh veggies, excessive crowds and believe it or not, too many choices, I have decided not to go there again.
Local "Thela"/ Fruit Walla outside my house, Juhu - Best and "fresh-est" veggies/ fruits. Added advantage of home delivery by making one phone call to "Fruit chacha" or " Sabzi Mohan." Look no further - perhaps because they cannot carry much on their "thela" and do not have storage mechanisms, they have to sell out everyday. So you only get the best ginger pieces for your "chai" that money can buy, red tomatoes and some other veggies for 5 rupees a bunch - a currency I understand better than "pau" or "1/2" kilo etc. And they also take credit, you can negotiate if you are the type.
Fish Market - 4 Bungalows. Best and "freshest" fish / shrimp if you know what you are buying. You must negotiate if you know your prices. I knew neither so one time I got lucky with quality of fish and prawns and another time I got neither price nor quality. Of course one can buy frozen stuff at Natures Basket like my single brother does. But if you can master this one, nothing like this market for fresh seafood. And hey, I have not mastered it but if I can do it i.e go to this market and generally walk away with good stuff for good prices, anyone can !
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