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

INDIJOE

The name suggests a blend of fusion of western influenced cuisine with Indian touch. It’s an all day dining destination with lots of variety to choose from. You can feel the weight of the menu card and simply get confused what to order today as you bound to re-visit back to try the full array of delicacies offered. I did not get the hint of the Indian touch as most of the content of the menu is American influenced and partly serves a variety of Thai, American, Mexican, Italian and Lebanese fare. Over 20 percent of my time spent at the restaurant was reading – yes – ‘reading’ the menu. The extensive menu lets you feel exhausted which comprises of fondues, soups, salads, appetizers, main meals, pizzas, pastas, risotto, sizzlers, sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, desserts, shakes and coolers and whole kids menu. I guess that’s the idea to ignite your hunger. Having read for so long time, we had to make discussions across the table resulting in debates, conflicts only over what to order, my eyes fell over one of their writings ‘tired of choosing go for our combos’. Vegetarian combo was the ceasefire. I was happy to go for combo for two reasons. One good one that we got to taste 4-5 different varieties and the bad one was all of them wore battered, coated and deep fried! I guess American cuisine sails on oil!

The Texas favorite chicken wings wore succulent, glazy and tasted well with blue cheese dip and barbecue sauce. Ahead on the global gourmet journey the pizza bombed while chicken chimichanga (supposed to be Mexican) created fireworks! Pizza for its base and chimichanga for its unique creamy chicken filled tortilla with tomato fused Spanish rice. The desserts have interestingly striking similarity with one also served at another famous hangout. The chocolate kill avalanche is more than enough for two persons with around 7 different forms of chocolate almost killing you.

Well the ambience complements the food perfectly. The vibrant orange walls, graceful seating and open kitchen give you the American deli dining feel. Be ready to spend in dollar style to, as it’s fairly expensive. I suggest a one visit is must. For its exiting menu and global fare served under one roof and that to desi style!

IndiJoe

3^rd floor, jewel square hall, Koregaon park, Pune, 020-41224888/9