FISH CURRY RICE

FISH CURRY RICE
586, Narayan Peth, Gangadhar
Apt Near Kanya Shala
96898 91819

Eating fish in Pune is not that simple, simply for the lack of availability of fresh sea fish. So when
this new place opened a month back, I was more than tempted to try out their fare. More so, because they serve fish that’s picked up every morning from Mumbai.

AMBIENCE
Located in the heart of the city, it’s small but nicely done-up. I have always disliked one thing
about the way tables are layed in most restaurants with a whole lot of space dedicated to salt and pepper shakers, spoons, a paper napkin holder and bud vase. At Fish Curry Rice, there’s nothing
on the table! The cutlery and seasoning you might might need, is kept nicely on a shelf within reach. You can also see the open kitchen, without getting suffocated by the over-powering
smell of seafood.

FOOD AND SERVICE
Very authentic home-made preparations from Goa, Malwani, Kokani and Karwar. The fish
they serve includes surmai (kingfish), prawns, pomfret, bangda (mackeral) and crabs
(on weekends). It has a typical thali system, with limited fish and chicken meals.
Their tawa fry surmai, prawns karwar, prawns biryani are tasty too. Whatever the dish, the fish is always fresh. However, the chicken biryani tastes different here. Vegetarians do not get
neglected either — with seven meal plans for each day of the week. Karela ki subzi is the best, as it does not have that bitterness about it. Service, too is simple. Instead of areated beverages,
you get nimbu paani, butter milk and sol kadhi. Dessert includes home-cooked kheer.

VERDICT
The place was full on the second day of the week, with a long waiting list! That says something. Don’t expect to have a quiet peaceful dinner — it’s only the fish that rules
here!

MY OVERALL RATING: 7/10

TIGER TRAIL

TIGER TRAIL
Royal Orchid
Central
Marisoft Annexe,
Kalyaninagar
Phone # 40003000

AMBIENCE
I had a different picture in my mind when I came across the name. A hunter hat, hunter guns, old casks as tables; but the real ambience is a lot simpler. It’s an open space with wooden furniture.

FOOD AND SERVICE
The preface at the start of the menu is quite fascinating. The dishes when served were
somewhat different. I wondered why Tomato Adraki Shorba was spicy. Yakhni Shorba was very
good. For starters, Chandi Ka Kabab (yoghurt marinated chicken) and Dohra Kabab (a
unique blend of chicken and mutton) were okay. Pug Mark (lamb mince marinated with
special spices and served in a bowl shaped as a pug mark) sounded interesting. Veg starters include achari, bharwan, tandoori preparations in mushroom and paneer. In main course, Tawa Murgh, Paneer, Dum Mirch Malai, Gosht Saagwala did not taste exotic enough. Desserts have an interesting addition of Pyaaz Ki Kheer. Service could have been better, given the standard of the hotel. Special mention of the restaurant manager who came in after being confronted, and personally looked after the well-being of the guests till the end.

VERDICT
I failed to find the trail of food connecting to the theme. Also the rustic woody flavour was missing, so particular of a meal on a trail. Otherwise a unique concept and a fresh theme for the city.

MY OVERALL RATING 4/10

MY GOODNESS

My Goodness
Shop No 4, Flower Valley,
Next to Coffee Jar,Wanowrie.
Phone: 98908 91333.

Here comes yet another entrant to the line of coffee shops in the city: My Goodness — coffee,
cakes and everything after.

AMBIENCE
Though the place is small, the first glance reveals an ample spaced neighbourhood café, because of its well planned interiors with good lighting and colour combinations. They have a
mini-library of books and some tablegames. The overhead projector displaying entertainment is a nice change from the typical flat screens.

FOOD
The coffee menu is regular with specialities like Maple Spiced Latte or After 5 (mint chocolate, vanilla ice-cream). The Black Forest Shake is dry with an overpowering smell of eggs. Smoothies,
hot teas and iced beverages also find their place here. But I preferred the Green Apple Mojito.
Sandwiches are huge and come with a dip and fries. But I felt the Eggs to Order
has scope to excel. Other quick bites include garlic breads, bun maska, ready to fry nuggets, samosas and fish fingers. Desserts and cakes come as Chocolate Excess, Fuchsia Queen and another one called Bubble Gummies with a bubble gum syrup.

VERDICT
Not exactly a food joint but yet another place to chill with friends. I found a group indulging
in an exciting game of Uno. The owners claim that the place is an outcome of their
passion for desserts, cakes and coffee. They genuinely want guests to stop by, relax and unwind,
and I guess this is their USP.

MY OVERALL RATING 7/10

SQUISITO

Squisito
Lane No 5, Koregaon Park, Pune
# 26054005

Delicious, exquisite, delightful are some of the words that define Squisito. Though this place is quite old, I chose it because I heard it is a serious competition to other Italian joints. The interiors take you to the streets of Rome. But the mezzanine has some Mexican themed art. That’s when I realised the place also has Mexican and Lebanese. So the competition is somewhat invalid. The food menu shows some traditional antipasti with a good range of insalata (salads) too. Soups though few, the one I tried (brocolli and cheese) could had been better. A wide range of pastas are included gnocchi, ravioli (stuffed pastas), penne, fusilli, tagliatelle and spaghetti. Pasta Barbaresca (spicy, with sundried tomatoes, tempeh) was cooked perfectly. There was a wide variety of pizzas too. The one called Pizza ala Vodka sounded great but the crust was not traditional - a bit doubtful. Risotto made me smile. But it was the dessert from which I will remember of this place, specially the Tiramisu. That apart, there is a major chunk of Mexican specialities. Quesadillas, enchiladas spice up the menu. Lebanese cuisine shows up in the form of starters only - falafel, baba ganoush, fattoush to name a few. Italian wine adds up to the flavour.
This place stands out on its own. The service is a bit slow but the staff is cheerful. A quite place for couples, it’s pocket friendly for the taste it provides. Bon Appetite!

MY OVERALL RATING 8/10