EATING OUT IN PUNE - THE BEST CHOLE BHATURE and VADA PAV IN WAKAD

EATING OUT IN PUNE

THE BEST CHOLE BHATURE and VADA PAV IN WAKAD

By

VIKRAM KARVE

We relocated to Wakad, a Western Suburb of Pune, almost two years ago, and since then I have been “Eating-In” rather than “Eating-Out”.  Yes, if you live in a “Foodie Nightmare” place like Wakad, it is more convenient to order and have a relaxed meal in the comfort of my home than venture out in the crazy traffic and eat in places where the ambience is pretty unappetizing.

At last, things seem to be looking up. The main road widening is slowly materialising, albeit at snail’s pace, so, for a change, I decided to take a walk on the main Hinjewadi – Aundh Road, rather than totter on the horrible, slushy, dirty, congested road towards Dange Chowk.

Just a very short distance ahead, to my left, I noticed a new roadside eatery called THE BEST TEA. There were a lot of cars parked and there was quite a crowd, so I decided to give the place a try, since it has been my experience that an eatery with a large crowd and quick turnover generally has good and fresh food, rather than a desolate one which may serve you stale re-heated stuff.

I was quite surprised to see Bhaturas being fried Delhi-Style. Now, I love Chole Bhature, but unfortunately you don’t get good Chole Bhature in Pune. Yes, the Chole preparation at Mona Food Restaurant (on Main Street in Camp) and Darshan Café (on Prabhat Road) is quite tasty, but the standard of the Bhatura leaves much to be desired.

To the best of my knowledge, you do not get authentic Bhatura in Pune. In Pune, the Bhatura they serve resembles a deep fried Giant Puri made of Maida. The reason probably is that here in Pune they do not let the dough marinate and ferment with curds long enough like they do in the upcountry. A good Bhatura must be soft and fluffy and should not be crisp and flaky. I observed that the Bhaturas in THE BEST seemed to be soft and fluffy.

That’s why I decided to try out Chole Bhature at THE BEST and to my pleasant surprise the quality of the Bhature exceeded my expectations, though not of the quality you get in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi – they still need to ferment the dough with curds much more thoroughly. (My most memorable Bhatura is the one I used to relish at Bareilly Club along with Channa – it was so soft and tasty that you could eat it by itself).

Overall the Chole Bhature were of quite a decent quality – all in all, a wholesome dish. And do you know how much a plate of 2 Bhature and Chole cost? Just 40 Rupees. Now that is surely value-for-money eating, at least by Pune standards – yes, Pune is one of the most expensive places in India as far as food is concerned.

This place serves Samosa, Misal and excellent Batata Vadas. In fact, the Vada Pav reminded me of my favourite CTO Vada Pav of Mumbai. The Vadas are fresh, crisp, lip-smackingly tasty, with plenty of green coriander inside – in fact, arguably, probably this Vada is the best in Pune.

I ended up with a refreshing cup of Amrutatulya Chaha (Tea).

So, Dear Reader, if you are driving down from Hinjewadi to Pune, and are feeling hungry, do stopover for a snack and try out the fare at this value for money roadside eatery. Have a Quick Bite and Cup of Tea, refresh yourself, and drive on.

As for me, now at least I have a alternative to Saffron. 

Saffron? You don’t know about that tiny place near Datta Mandir on the road from Wakad to Dange Chowk - okay, I’ll tell you about it soon.

Meanwhile, wherever you are - Happy Eating

Dear Reader, do tell us about your favourite Chola Bhatura.

And, if you live in Pune, do let us know about your favourite Vada Pav and also tell us if you get a good soft fluffy tasty Bhatura in Pune.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2012

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. 

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

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About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com      

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

 

VADA PAV

वडा पाव 

Outside it is raining. Lovely view from my balcony in Wakad. I yearn for a hot Vada Pav. And my mind harks back to memories of the tastiest Vada Pav I ever had.

MOUTHWATERING MUMBAI MEMORIES

CTO VADA PAV

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Vada Pav (or Wada Paw, if you want to spell it that way) is my favourite Fast Food. It is affordable and fulfilling. In fact Vada Pav is the ultimate Indian Fast Food - what a Burger is to America the Vada Pav is to India.

I have a Vada Pav almost every day and have relished Vada Pav at countless places, and though it’s been a long time, I still have fond mouthwatering memories of my all time favourite Vada Pav – the inimitable CTO Vada Pav at Ashok Satam’s stall on the Hutatma Chowk (Flora Fountain) side of the Central Telegraph Office (CTO) in Mumbai which I enjoyed every afternoon on my way back home from office or during my evening stroll.

The Vada is served freshly fried piping hot and is crisp and crunchy on the outside. Thats how a good Vada should be from the outside – nice and crisp, not soft and soggy like most of the fare dished out elsewhere.

The moment you bite the sharp zesty effect of the spices and greens hits you there is an abundance of tangy greens in the tasty fusion inside: green chillies, coriander, curry patta, ginger-garlic.

Don’t chew, just roll your tongue and press the hot stuff against your palate and let it dissolve. You will feel stimulated for sure!

The Vada is not only mouth watering, it may be nose-watering too if you have a delicate tongue. So might as well put the vada in a pav and savour the CTO Vada Pav gazing at the Hutatma Memorial, the Fountain and nice pretty faces in the crowd rushing by, to and from Churchgate, CSTM and the bus stops.

I wonder whether the CTO Vada Pav Stall still exists and if the Vada still as zesty and delicious as it was. Will some Foodie Vada Pav aficionado Mumbaikar let us know.

Meanwhile, can anyone tell me where I can enjoy a good Vada Pav in Pune?  I have tasted a few so far, even the famed Joshi, Diwadkar, Rohit et al, also during ontervals while watching plays at Balgandharva etc, not to forget the ones at Karjat Railway Station too, and found them quite soggy and insipid compared to the Ashok Satam’s crisp, zesty and stimulating Vada near CTO in Mumbai.

VIKRAM KARVE

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

EATING OUT IN MUMBAI - VADA PAV

EATING OUT IN MUMBAI

MOUTHWATERING MUMBAI MEMORIES

CTO VADA PAV

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Vada Pav (or Wada Paw, if you want to spell it that way) is my favourite Fast Food. It is affordable and fulfilling. In fact Vada Pav is the ultimate Indian Fast Food - what a Burger is to America the Vada Pav is to India.

I have a Vada Pav almost every day and have relished Vada Pav at countless places, and though it’s been a long time, I still have fond mouthwatering memories of my all time favourite Vada Pav – the inimitable CTO Vada Pav at Ashok Satam’s stall on the Hutatma Chowk (Flora Fountain) side of the Central Telegraph Office (CTO) in Mumbai which I enjoyed every afternoon on my way back home from office or during my evening stroll.

The Vada is served freshly fried piping hot and is crisp and crunchy on the outside. Thats how a good Vada should be from the outside – nice and crisp, not soft and soggy like most of the fare dished out elsewhere.

The moment you bite the sharp zesty effect of the spices and greens hits you there is an abundance of tangy greens in the tasty fusion inside: green chillies, coriander, curry patta, ginger-garlic.

Don’t chew, just roll your tongue and press the hot stuff against your palate and let it dissolve. You will feel stimulated for sure!

The Vada is not only mouth watering, it may be nose-watering too if you have a delicate tongue. So might as well put the vada in a pav and savour the CTO Vada Pav gazing at the Hutatma Memorial, the Fountain and nice pretty faces in the crowd rushing by, to and from Churchgate, CSTM and the bus stops.

I wonder whether the CTO Vada Pav Stall still exists and if the Vada still as zesty and delicious as it was. Will some Foodie Vada Pav aficionado Mumbaikar let us know.

Meanwhile, can anyone tell me where I can enjoy a good Vada Pav in Pune?  I have tasted a few so far, even the famed Joshi, Diwadkar, Rohit et al, also during ontervals while watching plays at Balgandharva etc, not to forget the ones at Karjat Railway Station too, and found them quite soggy and insipid compared to the Ashok Satam’s crisp, zesty and stimulating Vada near CTO in Mumbai.

VIKRAM KARVE

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

VIKRAM KARVE educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale, and Bishop's School Pune, is an Electronics and Communications Engineer by profession, a Human Resource Manager and Trainer by occupation, a Teacher by vocation, a Creative Writer by inclination and a Foodie by passion. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles in magazines and journals for many years before the advent of blogging. His delicious foodie blogs have been compiled in a book APPETITE FOR A STROLL and his book of Short Fiction is being published soon. Vikram lives in Pune with his family and pet Doberman girl Sherry, with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts. 

Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile of Vikram Karve:

http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Email:

vikramkarve@sify.com
Foodie Book:

Appetite for a Stroll 
http://books.sulekha.com/book/appetite-for-a-stroll/default.htm

http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

http://shopping.sify.com/appetiteforastroll-vikram-karve/books/9788190690096.htm

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.