Priti Shahane's ( Pune ) Profile & Reviews

Abhishek Veg Restaurant

Nirmiti Eminence Near Mehendale Garage Erandwana, Karve Road, Pune

Phone: (020)25454904

Category: Food & Dining, Restaurants

Tags: South Indian, North Indian, Indian Fast Food

20 Jul 2007

If planning to dine at Abhishek, it's best to book a table in advance or be prepared for a long wait. We waited 40 mins. The milling crowd would lead you to believe the grub they serve is extraordinaire but I was sorely disappointed. Personally, I found the North Veg items just average...the brinjal and other subzis were floating in exactly the same gravy. The service was just about OK and the place noisy, crowded with large groups. The waiters are too rushed to be bothered abt personal attention. The variety they serve is quite a lot so mebbe we just chose the wrong items. However, for a place serving average dishes, the crowd and hoopla seems over-rated. Thank God they offer valet parking.

Zen

Madhubrindavan Building Modern College Road Dyaneshwar Paduka C, Shivaji Nagar, Pune

Phone: (020)25536200

Category: Food & Dining, Restaurants

19 Jul 2007

The seating is rather congested due to space constraints but Zen offers yum food that is value-for-money. It is what you call "Indian Chinese" and the food is a tad oily but lip-smacking. For appetisers, do try 'crispy vegetables' and 'chilli chicken.' The veg spring rolls are good too. For the main course, the chicken chopsuey is a safe bet. And lots of choices for vegetarians too. Wash all this down with chilled beer or a glass of lemonade. An ideal place to go with friends or if you don't want to spend eye-popping amounts.

Offbeat

Opp. Karishma Society, Kothrud, Pune

Category: Food & Dining, Restaurants

19 Jul 2007

We decided to check out a new restaurant on our wedding anniversary. As we entered ‘Offbeat’, we were ushered in by a bevy of eager stewards, for the restaurant was almost deserted except for five-odd diners. But then we were rather early for dinner. Just as we settled at our table, a smiling waiter handed us the menus — photocopies that didn’t match up to the chic ambience. My mom-in-law approved instantly of the ‘Roasted corn and mushroom soup’ (Rs 70) that she had ordered. Both the appetizers — ‘Malaysian paneer satay (Rs 140) and ‘Lemon garlic chicken’ (Rs 150) were well worth the wait and the portions reasonable. ‘Offbeat’ passed its first test with flying colours. By the time we finished the hors d’oeuvres, the place had begun to fill up and most tables were occupied. For the main course, I ordered the ‘Pachkari Ishtu’ (Rs 150). The in-laws shared a platter of ‘Thai Green Curry with Rice’ while my husband opted for ‘Hyderabadi Keema’ (Rs 190). ‘Offbeat’ had set our expectations rather high after the mouth-melting starters and soup. However, my Ishtu was passable and not as spicy as I’d hoped. Same for the Thai Green Curry which failed to impress. Worse, both the white curries tasted similar. Fortunately, the Keema made the grade and was not a disappointment. The service is prompt, portions good and the table well laid. A meal for four costed about Rs 1,100. We hope the main course will get better after the restaurant gets over the initial settling-in glitches.