FIRANGI PAANI - Koregaon park

I tend to find most pubs similar to each other. Each place has good music, flowing liquor, finger food and of course, dancing! However, after visiting Firangi Paani, my prejudice no longer exists. The ambience and atmosphere scored! Fortwo things I’ll remember this place a while - the interiors and the variety of spirits served. Firangi Paani is a replica of an English pub. A large oil painting of a typical English party, antique arms and accessories are fitted onto velvet walls, leather upholstered chairs, lots of polished wood and a turning model ship is part of the ambience. An extensively stylish bar is packed with Scotch, wines and other imported liquor along with Indian made-foreign liqueurs. Bartenders serve an ecletic mix of cocktails, including a variety of maritinis, daiquiris and margaritas. The dancing floor is next to the bar, wellequipped with a DJ console playing great retro music (when I visited). The seating area is huge and spacious. Though the tables are kept fairly close to each other, privacy is maintained. There’s also a large variety of food to go with your drink. Among the list offering American, Lebenese, Mexican, Italian, Oriental spread, the Fish ‘n’ Chips are a house favorite. The Stuffed Crust Pizzas kept up to their name. Californian Potato Wedges are innovative. Instead of the regular frozen, ready-tofry wedges, potatoes cut in wedges along with the jackets are gratinated with cheese and served with a dip. I found the raddish and mayonnaise dip most appealing. The Pastas and Barbecued Chicken and Jalapeno Burger is filling and tasty. Normally the food takes a back seat in pubs; it’s an afterthought to our main motivation to go there - spirits. Here you are surely not let down. By the way, while glancing through the bar menu I found that the options for whisky-based cocktails offered here are more than any other place. Also, there is a huge variety of glassware used to pour out the cocktails! Well, whatever the occasion, the mood, the company, this maybe a best place to unwind. Couples, friends, families, executives heading straight from their offices and even individual patrons looked satisfied with their share of experience at this English spirited pub.

FIRANGI PAANI

3 rd floor, Jewel Square Mall,

Koregaon Park,

Pune

020-41224890

TAWAAH

I remember while working at a star hotel in Mumbai, guests used to flock around live stations every Sunday for brunch and feast on chaats and parathas. Though these preparations are available outside in abundance and at much lower prices, the satisfaction of gorging on street food in hygienic conditions in unique. It’s also difficult to replicate the same taste. Tawaah is a hygienic take on the Indian street-side food joints. This pure vegetarian place is clean and tidy, replete with shiny steelware. Six chutneys are arranged for as universal accompaniments. Out of them, the chilli and mint chutney should be tried for their strong flavour. The menu has few items on the list, but with much variation. The parathas are eight inchers and are stuffed generously. The covering remains soft for a long time, which suggests that an experienced hand has mixed the dough. Accompaniments with the paratha are appealing — the Dal Makhani, in particular is delicious. The Bharwan Moong Chilla, a thick dosa made from moong dal, filled with spicy paneer and cheese, this is truly filling. Direct preparations off the tawaah include a Mushroom Kheema Pav, Pav Bhaji, Appams with White Stew and Paneer Kathi Rolls. Sarson da Saag with Makke di Roti is pure and unadulterated. There are only two options in tawa pulao category — one with Hara Masala and the other with Tamatar and Paneer. The latter may be a better option as the former is low on taste despite including methi, spinach and coriander. To accompany the tawaah khana are Jalebis with Rabdi, Malai Lassi as well as Chai and Coffee served in earthen pots. If you’re going to compare the price with regular street food, you’ll find it pinches the pocket. The average price per food item is around Rs 80, with portions large enough for one person. However, do keep in mind the high standards of hygiene and quality of ingredients used here. The service is fair and sometimes a bit too attentive. Tawaah is what it promises — crisp, street food, in a more upmarket ambience and better hygiene.

1,Park Plaza

755/1,

Near Kamala

Nehru Park,

020-65108667

ORGIA - Nal stop

Pubbing in Pune is no new phenomen o n now. And with newer and newer places opening up, the few that have been around for couple of years, are steadily scaling heights. Pulsating music is generally the only demand from such places, but Orgia manages to tickle the taste buds too. It has the usual suspects — a swanky bar stocked with domestic and foreign fluids, a DJ console, a dance area and ample seating space surrounding the dance floor and in the mezzanine as well — a good option for couples as the music is lower than at the main area near the bar. All this nestles comfortably in a cozy space, as a first glance at this place from the outside gives the impression that it is rather diminutive. Once you’re in, you’re in for a surprise. It is a common myth about pubs here that the food appears to be of a lesser priority. I had the same prejudice in mind. When asked, they provided me with two menus, one was an afternoon menu, while the other a regular, evening one — suggesting that the place not only a night-spot, but is open in the afternoons too. Instead of following the regular order from soup to dessert, I settled down with a couple of starters. Among these, the Korean Barbecue Chicken, Chicken in Plum sauce, Thai Chilli Chicken and Tandoori Garlic Bruschetta are definitely worth trying. Though all the sauces that are prepared in-house are appealing, the breast meat used in the tikka is a disappointment. The thigh meat they use, specially in the starters tended to be succulent and juicy. The Tandoori Garlic Bruschetta had been recommended by the establishment and I was told that it was an original invention that they had started three years ago. A large, roasted n a a n doused witha butter-coriander- garlic spread and topped and gratinated with processed cheese, it is a sure shot hit on the menu. Prices are marginally high but do not forget that there is also the ambience and music up on offer, as the place does not take any cover charge. When sports fever hits, the place changes from a lounge bar to a sports bar with live action displayed on a huge LCD screen next to the bar. I was happy to be proved wrong yet again for being judgmental about food served in pubs. For some time out to catch up with friends or relatives and to savour the gorgeous cocktails while enjoying lively music and finger-licking food, this is a great place to head.

ORGIA

Shop No-3, Soba Mansion

Mehendale Garage chowk, Erandwane,

Pune – 4. 099 60619477