TSSAI SHEN YEH

The name is inviting, original and has a meaning. It’s not directly related to the food served, as Tssai Shen Yeh in Fengshui means ‘god of wealth’, bringing in wealth and prosperity. The menu is neither completely authentic as the name suggests, nor is the cuisine that typical roadside version. There is a basic table setup, courteous service standards well applied, as well as minute detailing. Size does not matter is my conclusion, after a visit to Tsaai Shen Yeh. Even though the place is small, the approach is tall. Be it serving ‘ladies first’ or keeping a respectable distance while serving, these small gestures can be impressive. The menu is short but varied. Unusual ingredients like okra, red pumpkin, water chestnut, eggplant, pak choy and snowpeas to name a few. This shows that it’s not just the sauces that make the difference but the overall variations. Their Veg Siu Mai (Rs 145) is finely- diced vegetables wrapped in wonton sheets, emitting the strong flavour of ajinomoto. It’s delicate to handle, most of the filling came out tearing the sheets. Maybe momos would have been a better option, with the same filling in a stronger covering. The Hunan sauce and Black Bean sauce prepared in-house tastes really good, with that much-needed pungency and sharp taste tingling your tongue. The fish (Rawas) comes at Rs 195 with an ample portion size, while the prawns come for Rs 299. The Veg Schezwan Hakka Noodles (Rs 155) are regular, with quite wholesome portions. The dessert section here is fortunately not ‘deserted’ like some other places. The Date Pancake (Rs 135) is awesome, with real minced dates sandwiched between dough coated with sesame seeds, and deep fried. Most of the food here is quite greasy, which many of us like — but frankly is not required for Chinese cuisine. If its a table for two, be careful about what and how much you order, as the portions are pretty huge. If you come in multiples of four and order a fourcourse meal it would definitely be a value-for-money proposition. Practically, it is suitable for a family of four where you can share, but couples may have to order less or parcel leftovers. I personally think arrangements like individual portions could be incorporated, where you pay for what you actually need to eat. Then you could savour the variety offered and explore the cuisine more often than only on weekends!

TSAAI SHEN YEH

Echelon Building,

Shop No 3, Baner-Sus Link Road,

Opposite Regent Plaza,

Pune - 45

Ph: 020-65608350

PIZZAATTA

A huge pizza craze erupted around 10 years ago, creating a premium meal option for the masses. This was followed by a series of branded chains sprouting up, resulting in some pretty cut-throat competition. Besides that of course, there were a few attempts to serve the junta the kind of pizza that would be in the Rs 20 bracket. This particular commodity has become way less exclusive today than it used to be, but there is still a highly steady demand for it, which is catered to by this new place near Chandni Chowk. The notable difference about Pizzaatta, is that apart from pizza, they serve sandwiches, pastas, burger, soups and some ice creams and desserts as well. As they say, “In Rome do as the Romans do” — similarly, in Pune, serve what the Puneites really want. Pizza served in India is highly often ‘Indianised’ and amended to cater to the Indian palate. And that’s exactly how it is preferred and so served in Pizzaatta. There is this thick pizza base resembling a bread loaf, a delicious sauce and most importantly, the cheese used has good body, flavour and is superbly elastic when hot! The starters are interesting — their Chicken Popcorn (Rs 70) is crunchy and meaty with no substitutes other than pure chicken added in. The Garlic Bread was crisp, crunchy and flavourful. The eight-inch regular pizza is more than enough for one person and the price ranges from the Margherita (Rs 65) to the Supremo Veg (Rs 165). The prices of the 10-inch and 12-inch pizzas are double and quadruple of the eight-inch ones respectively. The steal would be the Calzone or Cono Pizza, where a Chicken Kheema Calzone will come for only Rs 100. The pastas, burgers and sandwiches are not worth much of a mention. The good thing about the place is that it is value for money. A meal for two would cost you Rs 400, inclusive of all taxes. You can also get meal combos for Rs 210 onwards. Here, they maintain cooking a raw base with toppings, which is a good sign. The toppings are included in sufficient quantities, which gives it a satisfying quality overall. This place definitely wins points for quantity, taste, ambience and service.

PIZZAATTA

1st floor, Bhusari Colony, Near Lohia-Jain IT Park,

Above CCD, Paud Road, Kothrud, Pune 38

THAI HOUSE

Yet again I’m very happy to write about a place that is run by a devoted family, who serves authentic regional cuisine prepared from traditional homemade recipes. The pastes, the herbs like galangal (thai ginger), dark soy and even minute details like the cuts of the vegetables all leave you amazed. The cuts in the Som Tum (Thai Salad) (Rs 120) finely displays the intricate nuances of the cuisine brought to your plate. The mixture of papaya, carrot, tomato and peanuts with a spicy lime dressing is a perfect starter to your meal. One always has the liberty to find out more about Thai recipes in general, maybe online, and of course food stores are well stocked with readymade pastes and sauces so one can prepare and enjoy the very same dishes at home as well. But according to me, this exercise has no accountability - especially about the originality of these recipes. And that’s exactly what the Chicken Satay (Rs 150) proved at Thai House. The real satay has peanuts, chillies and coconut milk blended into a sauce and served with grilled chicken, which is pre marinated with a yellow curry powder. There is actually a lot of prepreparation to be done when it comes to Thai cooking. All the curry pastes, the dips and sauces take plenty of time to prepare. All these pastes are prepared fresh here, as is amply revealed by each morsel you savour! The Tofu Sam Rod (Rs 150) is another example that aids you to spot the difference in the quality of tofu itself. A firm yet succulent tofu is simply fried and topped with fine diced vegetables in a sweet and sour sauce. The Thai House Special Fried Rice (Rs 170) has more than two different sauces tossed with hot basil (locally called tulsi) which adds a unique pungent flavour to the dish. It is not exactly stingingly spicy, but there is a bite to the pungence. Seafood Pad Thai (Rs 180) is basically Thai Flat Noodles tossed in Dark Soy, with the perfect quantity of fish sauce, which is wonderful. You can ask for the extra omelette in which the noodles come nicely wrapped. Not to disturb the flow of authenticity, we chose the Nu Na Na (Rs 110), which is boiled banana in coconut milk over fried ice-cream! It was surprising to have just boiled banana in piping hot coconut milk. Another option you may have, is to sip on the Lam Nam Yai (Rs 60) a brown-colored juice from a dried fruit called longan (similar to litchi), which is extremely sweet to drink. I was so entranced by this true culinary spread that the ambience didn’t deter me at all. It is pretty decent for a twenty-seater restaurant. It’s the food that really lures you in here. If you have an inclination for this cuisine, a visit is a must. No frills, authentic homemade Thai food which is absolutely delicious, or as they say in Thai – Aloy Maak!

THAI HOUSE

Shop No 1 and 2

Raviraj Heritage Society,

Ahead of Pune IT Tech Park,

Bhau Patil Road,

Bopodi,

Pune – 20

CAFE MAROO

It was the first time I felt like I wasn’t really entering a restaurant, but rather stepping into someone’s living room for dinner, in a wonderfully hospitable atmosphere. That’s what tops the list of opinions about Café Maroo. The word ‘maroo’ means a Korean living room, where Korean people traditionally eat, sleep, cook and gather, for it is an area which is cool in summer and warm in chilly winters. Frames and artefacts, household appliances, cooking utensils and a couple of dining tables to sit around, are what make up the decor of the place, and one gets the lovely aroma of Korean food being cooked right in front of you. It also has a traditional sit down area on the mezzanine, where you have to promptly take off your shoes to maintain the sanctity of the place.The menu has sufficient choices but very few for vegetarians. Koreans take their tea seriously and so there is loads of tea-variety on offer as well. Some preparations that stood out on the menu include the Korean Beef Steak (Rs 350), Veg Jjajang Myun (Rs 200), Dak Bulgogi (Rs 350) and Cheese Ggas (Rs 280). Koreans use ingredients like ‘doenjang’, which is a fermented soybean bean paste, as well as soy sauce, salt, garlic, ginger and spice it up with ‘gochujang’ — a fermented red chili paste. The beef steak is generally soaked in red wine for three weeks before they grill it to the done-ness of your choice. The soaking is pretty fruitful as it gives out a wonderful flavor to the meat. The Jjajang Myun are Korean noodles served with a light soy sauce in which mushroom, onion and potatoes are preserved for a while, giving it that particular woody flavor. Dak Bulgogi is chicken pickled in doenjang, which is a fermented soy bean paste that gives out a peculiar tangy, sour, spicy taste different from the gochujang sauce. Cheese Ggas are mozzarella cheese covered with an all purpose flour flown in from Korea, and then grilled. It is best served with Korean bread. The Honey ginger lemon tea (Rs 85) and Green tea (Rs 80) here are really good. What really matters is that this is not Indo-Korean cuisine. It is cooked by a passionate Korean national settled in Pune for the past 10 years. He gives you that original taste, un-altered for the Indian palate. That’s why you probably need to have the inclination to try out new stuff. If that is the way you feel, this is the best place for Korean cuisine. Personally I didn’t find the place pricey. The quantity is wholesome as well. I feel the efforts taken by a person to run a business and maintain all the overheads just to feed his community in a foreign land as well as friends and Indians is quite appreciable. Those who visit the place are asked to leave a comment and needless to say most comments are gushing praise. Do visit to sample some authentic Korean cuisine

CAFE MAROO

Westend Plaza,

Next to Rahul Hotel and The electronics store,

Nagras Road,

Aundh,

Pune

TURQUE - SAYAJI

Hospitality in Hinjewadi has boomed in the last five years. While only a few choices were available earlier, now, retaining guests seems to be the top agenda for ‘established’ establishments. In tune with this phenomenon, Sayaji Hotels has opened a poolside lounge bar for guests with a calm ambience and subtle lighting — for those who don’t want to shake a leg, but enjoy some music, with live bands that play jazz, retro, etc. It’s the kind of place you might want to catch up with your colleagues minus the office atmosphere. There is a wonderfully stocked bar here and the food is quite satisfactory. Given the nice décor and proven hospitality record, I had high expectations. The menu comprises of Oriental, Continental and Indian delicacies. There are plenty of one pot meals like Lasagna, Moroccan Wrap, Stir-fried Noodles and Rice etc. They also have some interesting options like the Tenderloin Medallions, Linguini pasta, Paneer Shashlik in gravy, Rum-flavored Lamb Barra kebab etc. All the Indian main courses are served with a Dal Makhani, naan, papad and salad. Amongst starters, I tried the Po Pia Thod (Rs 185), the Balinese Barbecue Fish (Rs 325), while for the main course we had Stir Fried Veggies (Rs 265) and Rum-flavoured Lamb Barra kebabs (Rs 325). The Po Pia Thod were similar to spring rolls, except for the addition of a tangy sauce — the only difference. The Balinese Barbecue Fish was not exactly barbecued, but coated and fried and then mounted on skewer sticks doused with a sauce resembling barbecue sauce. The Stir Fried Veggies had the addition of garden greens such as zucchini, broccoli etc. The Rum-flavored Lamb Barra kebabs were a major disappointment, for the overpoweringly pungent masala was not going down well with the rum marination. What was great was that this concern of ours was noted down fastidiously by the manager — a rare quality. Till date, in my experience, if a particular taste is not suitable for your palate and you notify the manager, he generally informs you ‘this is the way it is served here.’ But that’s something you won't have to experience here — the manager is a great listener. Desserts like brownies, Apple Strudle, gulab jamuns and rabri are available here. Apart from the food, the drinks are noticeably taxable. With the addition of some liquor to your meal, the overall cost easily crosses the 1k mark. Nevertheless, time spent in such a lovely ambience with colleagues, friends or family alike is unique and satisfying.

Turque,

Sayaji Hotel,

Mumbai-Bangalore

Bypass Highway,

Wakad,

Pune — 57

SOUTHERN SPICE

Many places serving global cuisine have come up in the last few years, with many more filling up the scene in recent times. In all this galore, we somewhat fail to understand and promote our regional spread. So only the favourites like tandoori chicken, dum aloo, dal baati, khandvi, goan curry, chicken kolhapuri, Bengal fish curry, besi belle huliyana and even momos are showcased. But there is much more than these representatives that lie in India’s regional gourmet treasure. Similarly, beyond the universally popular idlies, dosas and appams, a spectacular and exotic gourmet cuisine blended with age-old spices exists in god’s own country — Kerala. Even though, Keralites are known fish eaters, the vegetarian spread is fascinating too! I was pretty sure that yet again a seafood specialty had to be covered, which will have a similar tried-and-tested taste. But when I glanced through the menu and found an equally balanced vegetarian spread — I was happy to be proved wrong! A glass full of Rasam (Rs 25) as a starter gives you a peppery feeling much needed in these unforeseen weather conditions. Drumstick Soup (Rs 65), a black channa Kadala Curry (Rs70), Avial (Rs70), Vegetable Stew (Rs 85), a small onion-tomato-coconut subzi Ullytheeyal (Rs 85) and a seasoned buttermilk curry, Kachiya Moru (Rs 45) proves this place hasn’t opened only to attract customers by its theme. They keep their promise and really serve regional spread. Although the squid preparation, especially in the starters is avoidable as it tend to be chewy if not prepared with care. Even the Lemon Rice wasn’t exactly the way it should be (it should have had red chillies, roasted split black gram, chana dal and peanuts). The Mutton Pepper Fry was too hot for my palate but was flavourful! Nevertheless, expect lots of coconut, curry leaves, pepper, cloves, cardamom and Kodampuly (similar to kokum) in various combinations. The main courses are excellent both in fish and mutton. The Malabar Prawns Curry (Rs 160) was incredible for the curry was made from roasted coconut paste and finished off with thick coconut milk. Also the Fish Moilee (Rs 150) was too good for its preparation made in coconut oil and having an optimum use of spices. The flaky Malabar Paratha (Rs 10) and perfectly fermented rice appam (Rs 10) goes well with the main course. The place is a small sit down restaurant, but promises original Kerala cuisine. Not the entire region is covered (noting the limitations of getting regional raw material). So savour true Indian regional cuisine as the trip down south is exciting and given the prices, absolutely worthy

MASEMARI

The name ‘Masemari’ (which means ‘fishing’ in Marathi), draws customers in to try out the seafood here without actually ‘fishing’ for it. The décor is fantastically done. A mention is needed of the 10- foot tall light house at the entrance, which would suffice as a landmark to locate the eatery. The food served here is close to homecooked food, which makes even the cramped seating facility worth ignoring. They do not overuse masalas, sauces and seasonings for the preparations, another sign that literally denotes ‘home-cooked’ food. This proves that there is a mix of authentic preparations, experimental inventions and derived taste. Let’s face it; you can’t criticize homemade food, as every household has its own versions! What matters is the satisfying taste and the fresh quality of the fish. All the preparations are simple but unique. Every type of fish is listed individually and recommendations for accompaniments are mentioned. Your choices here are deep fried, shallow fried, rawa fried, tawa fried, tawa masala, Konkani masala, goan curry, gassi, malvani, vindaloo and some Mongolian curries. There are no tandoor preparations so asking for a fish tikka or a kebab would be inappropriate! A complimentary authentic welcome drink called ‘tival’ — a pure kokum juice tempered with ghee, jeera and coriander was something I really appreciated! The house specialty, the Burnt Garlic Crispy Squid (Rs 160)and Bombay Duck Fry (Rs 130) are good options. The covering (flour) was not needed for the squid, as it would had been more enjoyable without the coating. There was no excess covering for the Bombay duck, so the softness and freshness came through.Till your order comes to you, a Poppadum Platter (Rs 60) — which has 4- 5 varieties of deep fried papad — is provided for you to munch on, which is a wonderful change compared to the usual masala papad. For the main course, Prawns Konkani Masala (Rs 240) doused with chillies and coconut goes very well with the recommended bhakri. Even the Goan Curry (Rs 240) is silky smooth, balanced with sour, spicy flavours and a slightly creamy texture. It went well with the Rice Bhakri (Rs 20) too. Not to mention the Solkadhi (Rs 30), drunk before or after the meal, which was good as well, except for the fact that it was one of the dishes amongst others I had there, that had garlic in them. If you hate ‘typical’ fare one generally finds these days, you must try this place. If you are trying fish for the first time, this is a good option, as not only is the catch fresh but is truly prepared in a ‘home-style’. Do not forget to mention your threshold for spiciness before ordering, as it can be adjusted. Happy fishing!

Masemari,

2132,Trimurti Complex,

Near Abhinav College,

Off Tilak Road,

020-24328631

GRAPPA GARDEN

Grappa Garden could best be described in my book as a bistro, which usually is a small restaurant serving continental food accompanied by wine and coffee. It definitely serves the typical bistro cuisine. The table set-up encourages you to try an interesting mix of their domestic and international brand selection, in an open yet classy ambience. The mood here, is perfect for a chilly afternoon brunch or even a cozy evening dinner. The food menu here is seasonal and as mentioned, changes accordingly. Also going by the theme, the preparations are made from fresh, local produce — that’s why you’ll find lots of winter vegetables used inpreparations around this time of the year. Typical to bistro cuisine, there are quite a few interesting preparations on the list. Apart from the soups, salads, pizzas and pastas, some preparations that caught my eye include the Devils on Horseback (prunes wrapped in bacon) and the Brazilian Rib Eye Steak to name a few. Also, as a diehard whiskey man, I always wondered why it’s not used regularly in restaurants for culinary sauces, as it tends to give an excellent flavour and zing to the dish, especially with meat. Here, you can get several such items, such as their Whiskey Pork Ribs, Orange Whiskey Ham and Chicken Bit-o-Whiskey. This season’s menu is quite flavourful. The Roasted Vegetables and Pasta soup, Barbecue Chicken Wings, Homemade Cannelloni stuffed with Garden Fresh Veggies are all musttries. The stuff here breaks the myth related to continental preparations — that the use of herbs, coloured peppers and thick sauces qualifies as a ‘continental preparation’, which is sadly, yet unintentionally practised and copied just about everywhere. It is good to know that here, they differentiate themselves as soon as you take the first bite. The roasted vegetables have that balanced smoky taste with the optimum use of herbs. The Barbecue Chicken Wings have this extra meaty chunk over the bone and the Homemade Cannelloni promises a wholesome meal. The Tiramisu or the Black Forest Bavarios are both equally delicious to top it all. This place breaks another myth as well — that every restaurant in that vicinity (Koregaon Park) can be assumed to be exorbitant.A four-course, shared, filling meal for two, would be less than Rs 1,000, something that is worth every penny for the quality of ingredients used, service, ambience and rather satisfying taste. Of course the wine list per bottle starts from the mentioned amount and it does not encourage wine served by glass. Nevertheless, this bistro’s food is absolutely fantastic!

Grappa Garden

Above Post 91,

Lane No 7,

Koregaon Park, Pune

PARC ESTIQUE - LAVA

Although it’s raining these days, the winter chill is definitely near. The hunt for tempting kebabs and grilled goods is a seasonal favourite. One option is Parc Estique’s Lava, which serves Indian kebabs and grill on the rooftop. The seating is at the poolside, with a spectacular eyelevel view of the city, which is more appealing during the evening. The spread, they say, is different from regular kebab and curry places and their USP — Indian preparations with a continental twist. These select few ‘different’ preparations are Grilled Paneer Oregano Caesar Salad, Cream of Tomato Rasam, Tandoori Pesto Veg, Fried Haryali Kadak Sheek, Kerala Style Salmon Shrimp Cake, Broccoli Saag Paneer Lasooni, Prawns Steam Pilaf, Hot Ginger Orange Filled Strata and Old Monk Choco Mousse. Within this repertoire I first tried the Cream of Tomato Rasam (Rs 150) which had an interesting peppery taste and the Fried Haryali Kadak Sheek (Rs 230) was really unusual as the minced vegetables were cooked on a sheek first and then filled with cheddar cheese dipped in a crispy batter and deep fried. The Kerala Salmon Shrimp Cakes (Rs 380) tasted good, the only disadvantage being a slight sogginess, since they could have been bound better. Further down a different road, the Broccoli Saag Paneer Lasooni (Rs 280) was an interesting combination of elements, coming as minced broccoli cooked with saag including chunks of paneer. The Paneer Tikka Masala (Rs 260) and the Broccoli Saag were both pretty tangy. Their dessert menu has good options. The Hot Ginger Orange Strata (Rs 180) is like a lasagne which may be an alternative to a pudding. But the steal of the night was the Old Monk Chocolate Mousse (Rs 150). It promises the presence of the old chap in a good quantity bestowing that necessary punch, which goes down well with the chocolate. Moreover, it comes preset in a nice red wine glass! There were some issues with receiving the wrong dip and its delayed service, as well as when I felt forced to skip the tangy main course, as rectifying it would have taken too much time — the constant waiting and waving for attention was a bit exhausting. This place is recommended for those with plenty of time, since I spent two and half hours for a three-course menu, which gave me the luxury of watching several synchronised landings of the airplanes from the airbase nearby. I’d say apart from the food, the ambience and view is pretty great, head there when you have time to spare for a long meal.

PARC ESTIQUE

Near Giga Space,

Viman Nagar, Nagar Road

SPICE LOUNGE

Any good food needs ‘spice’ to enhance the flavor, aroma, taste and distinctiveness. There are terribly few foodsthat include no spice in any form. The use of the word as a theme point manages to attract a pretty extensive clientele, that succumbs to the exotic undertones in its usage. There is a quite a unique medley of Indian and Oriental cuisine at Spice Lounge. The ambience and the menu are completely contrasting, but the description of the food mentioned in the menu and actual food brought to the table are thankfully not. Though they have a well stocked lounge bar, their soups are even more inviting. Manila Sinegong is a soup with stir fried vegetables and diced chicken along with a poached egg. It comes in a nice coffee like mug and the taste is simply brilliant! It’s simplicity lies in the limited usage of unnecessary sauces and thickening agents. The tempura and chicken satay are true to their roots, while the mushroom cheese tikka is quite different and pretty appealing as well — the cheese is stuffed in the pocket of the mushroom and covered with a piece of capsicum, onion or tomato and spiked with spices. The Vegetable Saigon Hakka Noodles are flat noodles prepared similarly to the way normal hakka noodles are, with the only noticeable difference being the use of turmeric. Korean Star Anise Rice is another must try for — the rice is sautéed with star anise and cooked to give out a unique flavour, served with a sauce preparedfrom soy, chilli and oyster. I suggest you not try it with the prawn combination like I did, since they, along with the oyster sauce, overpowered the aroma of the star anise. Apart from the above, the Murtabak (veg stuffed pancakes), Kung Perrini salad, Peppercrusted Escabecha Pomfret, Mutton Stir-fry Bumbu and other Indian preparations also sound like some good options. Quantities served up are great, as is the price which shows no compromise on the quality. Inspite of it being averagely priced, one can find an ample use of exotic vegetables. Another suggestion would be to ask for your preparation to be made less oily, as you'd probably want the flavour of the spice to remain and not be inundated in grease. A four course mixed me al for two could amount to Rs 750.

SPICE LOUNGE

34, 35 Akshay Complex Off Dhole Patil

road, Pune-1

Tel no 020-26138941

KROSTINI

Pune has seen outlets for every street-snack, ranging from frankies to the sandwich combo and burger joints. There was a wave of dosa joints as well, which subsided, and I heard of biryani outlets too. The fast food market inspires such singular variable products to cash in on. But just because coffee proved to be a money spinner, it isn’t necessary the formula works for the rest too! Another place here to try their luck is Krostini — with a ‘K’. Crostini and Bruschetta are two Italian appetizers more or less defined as finger food. Bread is a staple diet of the region and reinvents itself in various avatars, of which bruschetta is well-known, while crostinis are now finding some identity. There is not much of a difference between the two, as one is consumed in central Italy while the other is sub-regional. At Krostini, on J M Road, 25 per cent of the menu is theme-based, while the rest is composed of salads, pasta, sandwiches, wraps, desserts and eggs, confusing me a bit about whether to go with the theme or order like it was a regular hangout. From the eight options available, I tried out the Exotica Krostini and Mushroom ‘n’ Basil Krostini. Both had a distinctive taste, in one the mushrooms were tossed in a basil sauce, while the other had thick long strips of zucchini and peppers topped with cheese. The similarities lay in the overthickness of the slice of baguette. You get three pieces of crostini a plate, averagely priced at Rs 59, all of which serve the topping and the bread in an almost equal proportion. Had this been a 70:30 proportion, it may have appealed more! The Krostini Special Salad was unavailable due to an expertise crunch, while the substitute ordered — the Greek Salad (Rs 59) was overpowered by onions against how it was described in the menu as containing bell peppers, black olives and feta. The wraps (Rs 69) needed some zest as the filling was bland and oily. Chocolates, muffins, teacakes and cookies are the saviours here. At the end of the day, it is a good concept, showcased nicely and just needs focusing on variety and more of a permutation-combination with ingredients. Currently, the demand is quick service and these changes will definitely light up the theme, which if implemented more tactfully, can give tough competition for other bread-based fast food places.

Krostini Restaurant

3, Anant Chambers,

Jangli Maharaj Road

OLENT

The oil spill certainly hasn’t deterred the consumption of seafood at least thet’s the scene in Pune restaurants. The initial reluctance that lasted for the first few days, has been replaced by people flocking to places serving seafood, reminding me of the commonly believed theory amongst non-Puneites, that seafood served here is not of exceptional quality. The over-flowing crowds at sea food restaurants on weekends, however, manage to suggest the contrary. The substantial demand and easy accessibility to raw materials has set the seafood business booming. Olent, meaning scent or fragrance is a new place that not only serves seafood but the regular spread of veg-non and veg items as well. It’s an idea that could pay off as most places serving the regular family dinner fare have few seafood options and here, non-seafood favouring family members can enjoy their meal too. I’ll focus on the seafood, as the menu is quite vast. They have segregated the preparations fishwise, so you have Malvani, Manglorian, Tawa, Masala, Goan, Maratha, Kalwan and some Southern Coastal styles. In seafood, pomfret, rawas, surmai, bangda, kane or lady fish, crab, halwa, prawns and tisre or shell fish are all on the list. Lobster, squid and other varieties are missing and so are regional styles of preparation other than the south- Indian ones. This seems to be the only drawback of the place. The Achari Surmai Tikka (Rs 220) comes in good portions. The tangy masala is well coated around the meat. The same goes for the large Tandoori Pomfret (Rs 220) served with an amazing beetroot carving, as well as the Crab Soup, the base of which, is similar to sweet corn soup but has generous portions of crab meat to flavour it. You can ask for your choice of seafood to be used in your Biryani (Rs 150) which makes it different from other places. Lastly, one should try the Prawns Puli Munchi (Rs 210) with Appam or Neer Dosa (Rs 30) — it is absolutely delicious. There was no room to manipulate the gravy. The flavours of tamarind, mustard seeds, curry leaves and the spice of red chillies blended perfectly. It tasted fresh as if it was prepared upon order. The good things about Olent are the quality of the seafood, value-for-money quantities served and the availability of the non-seafood menu as well. Every family member’s gastronomic desires are fulfilled under one roof. The ambience is simple yet trendy. Now, when most seafood places are packed on the weekends, you know where to take the plunge!

1195, Sushila

Apartment,

Shivaji Nagar,

Ghole Road,Pune

Phone: (020)

65012244, 65000874

KOLHAPURI RASSA MANDAL

The styles in which different foods are prepared across the globe often have common threads. The cooking technique can be similar, the ingredients used could overlap, but the spices do change from region to region. This was the primary thought that dominated my mind after visiting the Kolhapur Rassa Mandal. The French cook their basic sauces such as aspic or demi glaze by reducing meat stock and then further thickening it with a mixture of butter and flour called roux. The same procedure follows for stock or broth which are then made into soups or consommé. The rassa prepared at Rassa Mandal is a dead ringer for the above preparations. The only difference is that a thickening agent is not used here and of course it has its own original style of preparation. The similarity is an absolute coincidence! Here, meat chunks are boiled along with pounded coconut and spices, regionally called a vatan, to form the pandhra rassa which has the flavour of the meat (either chicken or lamb), while the tambda rassa is prepared similarly, the only extra addition being select red chillies along with spices. Not only is the flavour of the meat incorporated, the fat content which rises to the surface is what every customer digs. There is absolutely no use of red colouring or of a thickening agent used, which again is a true sign of the simplicity and authenticity. The menu has three basic thali preparations, in either Chicken (Rs 120) or Lamb (Rs 130) which come as masala, fry or rassa. It is accompanied by a freshly-prepared onion-curd raita, 10-inch wide, soft chapatis or bhakaris, pulao and an unlimited flow of the two rassas. Also available are Egg Curry, Gavran Kombadi Masala (Rs 140), Mutton Lonche and Dum Biryani (Rs 130). Pure vegetarians, keep yourself at bay as the meaty aroma floats through every nook and corner of the place. That sure doesn’t mean that vegetarians are left hungry here, if they can bear the smell and drop in. The Veg Thali (Rs 60) is pretty good and comes with a Besan Puri and Papad as additions. The Solkadi (Rs 15) here, thankfully, has a balanced flavour and no overdose of garlic. Disadvantages may be felt by selective customers, because of the cramped family room, seating arrangement, ambience or delayed service. But if all you want is to try a fiery, rustic, homemade style Kolhapuri preparation and savour the aromatic rassa (or broth as the original English culinary term for it is) you know where to head now. Amongst the long list of overhyped Kolhapuri joints, the rassa at Rassa Mandal is just something else.

Shop no 30,Vijaya Chambers,

Hingne Khurd,

Opposite SBI,

Before Santosh Hall,

Sinhagad Road,

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

CASA LOLO - Kamal Nehru park

Street food has always been popular, no matter what part of the world the cuisine is from. The taste of these quick-moving items is unbeatable and cannot be recreated in lavish kitchens. In Pune too, street food from across the world is available in different parts of the city. This week I decided to take a look at Casa Lolo, which specialises in Lebanese street food. As Haka noodles are to Chinese cuisine, shawarma is to Lebanese. I have always loved this vertical barbecue, for the way the spit whirls the meat around non-stop. The grilling apparatus itself is a nice display; it’s fresh and gives the feeling of (relatively nutritious) fast food and the flavours that waft through the air with the smoke, immediately ignite hunger. There’s not too much to choose from the menu. Your options are basically the Shawarma Roll, Falafel, Grilled Arabic Chicken (similar to the tandoori chicken but marinated with different ingredients) and Hummus Plate. Casa Lolo also serves pizzas which are made made home-style, but it has a thick, toasted base. Maybe the reason behind this is the double cooking that the base undergoes in a makeshift electric tandoor. Anyway, the place is best visited for its shawarma, hummus and pita breads. The taste of the meat here is mild, with the flavour of onion and tomatoes. It also tends to cool pretty fast, making it a bit chewy. The day I visited, the machine was not revolving properly, which resulted in the same meat being cooked at different temperatures. This also holds for the pita breads, as they are held in front of the fire merely for few seconds and tend to become hard soon after they are placed on the table. The base of lettuce or cucumbers or cabbage (the way other joints make the shwarma) was missing. This is substituted with pickled beetroot and carrots. If there’s any vegetable you’re used to in your shawarma that this place doesn’t serve, don’t worry — the hummus and garlic mayo fills up all gaps. Falafel here is well flavoured with coriander and garlic along with raw chickpeas which are deep fried. And the hummus (which is made from chickpeas blended well along with tahini paste), I felt was lacking olive oil and tinge of lemon. Casa Lolo is a good place to grab a wholesome middle-eastern experience at any time of the day. Not at all heavy on the pocket (average price is Rs 60 for a meal for one) it is definitely a fulfilling experience. The best part of this street food is that you don’t have to rub shoulders with the crowd while eating — you can sit back and savour it!

CASA LOLO

Off Bhandarkar Road

Opp Kamala Nehru Park

Also at Aundh DP Road and

off NIBM Road

BY THE WAY - FC road

Fergusson College Road is one of my favourite streets in the city. The fact that several new places keep opening here, just adds to the attraction. By The Way, which has recently opened up, manages to steal a few glances. This could be because of its bright white exterior, or then perhaps it’s the name. It looks like it’s an old British establishment, what with waiters that accessorise with suspenders and a typical flat cap. The morning menu goes very well with this theme. They serve omlettes, waffles and pancakes, but after noontime, they have a desi twist going for them. The attire of the waiters remains the same but not the menu. The lunch and dinner menu has a little bit of everything including Thai, continental, Oriental food, pastas and Indian cuisine. I visited in the evening and decided to try their continental menu. The Veg Ceasar Salad (Rs 130) and Italian Bruschetta (Rs 90) were the first on my list. Surprisingly, what I received didn’t quite fit the description mentioned in the menu. That was followed by an exhaustive series of events that included checking, re-checking, apologising and replacing the dish. Out of all the choices I had, I decided only to inform the manager about the absence of romaine lettuce from the Ceasar salad and that the bread of bruschetta had not been grilled (as was promised in the menu). But it was the Indian food that brought back my joy of dining here. The Cheese Murg Tikka (Rs 140) stuck to its description, while the Paneer Makhani (Rs 150) and the naan were delectable. The naan is unbelievably soft right until the last bite and the makhani gravy was doused with heavy cream, khoya and butter. By The Way also serves an Arabi Chicken Biryani (Rs 170), which is according to them is supposed to be the original biryani. The description read layered biryani but at the moment of truth I found it to be a mixed pulao variation of the biryani. However, the taste did hold up—with a sweetish tinge and generous sprinkling of slivered almonds. For dessert it was the Chocolate Bomb (Rs 150) that I decided to try. Melted chocolate inside a spongy cup cake, I wondered about the taste of chocolate sauce for a bit, but then found that it did go very well with ice cream.

11991A, F.C. Road,

Pune-4. 020-25531511

BIGHDEY NAWAB - DP road

When Quick Service Restaurants or QSRs started making their presence felt in India around the end of the last millennium, no one could have imagined how rapidly the phenomenon would spread. Western cuisine is always associated with QSRs and in the last decade, most international brands have established themselves in this field. So whether it is coffee, burgers, pizzas or sizzlers the average Indian has ample options and destinations to choose from. Bighdey Nawab on the other hand is probably an unusual entrant into this category, as an intrinsically Indian option that serves rich, creamy, nawabi cuisine in a highly stylish manner. This place I refer to in the category of QSRs, since it is evident from their interiors, menu card and exterior visibility. It has a takeaway option, delivery services as well as a dining area. There are combo meals which are very reasonably priced available here too. Shorbas, starters, saalan (referred to as a main course), biryanis, kathi rolls and dessert occupy the rest of the menu. I was quite surprised to see a huge variety being dished out from the small, yet well-planned kitchen, visible through a glass window. The menu is as good as a fine dining restaurant, while the kebabs, be it Kakori Kebab, Dahi ke Kebab or Nizami Fish Tikka, had an awesome taste and preparation. The Tomato Shorba, Paneer Kundan Qaliya and Murgh Kurchan were other equally good options. Another thing that definitely deserves a mention is the presence of khoya in the gravies they prepare. One may find the gravies served here similar to any other place, but the difference lies in the quality and the quantity of khoya being used. Khoya was used extensively in Lucknowi cuisine to augment its richness and is in recent times best used to thicken the gravy. The gravies you may savour here have no excessive masala in them, nor do you feel the presence of too much khoya. The ingredients are used aptly and cooked delicately too. The perfectly balanced gravies accompanied by a moist Subz Biryani make an excellent combination. Their Shahi Tukda and Phirni is greattoo! The prices are reasonable (the abovementioned preparations suffice for 4 people for Rs 1200). Apart from the dining, there are small combos for 'chotey nawabs' too. Daawat-e-lunch is a set meal for the executive clientele. So while this Nawab may not really be ‘Bighdey’, he sure does serve up some glorious cuisine from the past!

10, Dhole Patil Road,

Shop no. 7, Near Nalini

Co-operative Hou. Soc.

Opposite Kapila,

020-26058655/ 56, 9673273448

SIIIP- Prabhat Road

Pronounced ‘Seeeeep’ with 3 I’s, this is a hatke bar among many in the city. The coffee fever seems to mellow down as, this season demands fruits first. Firstly, the concept of juice started years ago, with senior citizens stopped to sip on unheard of ‘health juices outside parks early in the morning. Now, juices have become a ‘healthy’ trend and have found a place in small eateries with vibrant decor. Juice bars are slowly making their presence felt in the city, almost par with the many cafés. Allergic to hot beverages, Siiip is not only a juice bar, but a salad bar too. This makes it a new concept. However, it doesn’t have an option of helping oneself to a salad mix one would like, as done in bigger hotels, where we can make our own salads. Maybe, it’s in a testing phase as it wants to judge the mindset of the customers and how the themeis welcomed. That’s why included in the menu is this unique saviour, which safe bet to give them definite business — the grilled sandwiches! Then there are freshly squeezed juices with no addition of sugar, power boosters, shakes and freshly p u l p e d smoothies. Everything here is fresh. No pre-pulped bottles or squashes. You can see this as the kitchen is across the counter and almost fully visible. There are interesting combinations such as carrot and orange salad, walnut and fruit pasta salad, banana and jam sandwich, hot apple and cinnamon sandwich and mixed fruit grilled sandwich. The seating is low, compact but comfortable. The infusion of vibrant lighting and dark black upholstery gives the place a classy look. Finally, the critic’s verdict — the salads are the best. Among them, the crunchy sprouts and Caesar Salad is filling. Apart from the moist croutons (on top of the Caesar Salad) nothing was wrong. There is a good variety in the types of sandwiches, but as this is a salad bar, expect lettuce in every sandwich. Again, the desserts have fresh fruits accompanied bycream or ice-creams.Average prices for the health boosters which include aloe vera, tulsi, bitter/bottle gourd, is Rs 30, while the opther items are priced between Rs 60 and Rs 110. So, next time you think of having some salad, juice or fruits, try taking a siiip of this!

SIIIP

Ghodke Plaza

Near Prabhat Police Chowki

Off Prabhat road