Thursday, November 17, 2011

EATING OUT IN PUNE - WAKAD HINJEWADI FOOD GUIDE Part 1


WAKAD HINJEWADI FOOD GUIDE
Part 1
By
VIKRAM KARVE

“Eating-Out” and “Eating-In” in Wakad Hinjewadi Pune

1. NPB FOOD SQUARE

Our favourite place to eat out. This is a family place. We love this place for its bright clean spacious ambience and the variety of food you get there at affordable prices. This is the only place in Wakad where you will get decent Dosa or Idli. There are stalls serving all types of cuisine, veg and non-veg, snacks and meals – Maharashtrian (Sabudana Khicadi, Tahlipeeth and Misal) , North Indian (Paratha, Meals, Chaat), South Indian (Dosa, Idli, Wada Sambar and Thali), Chinese, Punjabi, Mughlai, Kababs, Curries and Biryani, Pizzas and Sandwiches, Milk Shakes and Ice Cream and of course there are plenty of delicious freshly Baked Delights and soothing desserts from New Poona Bakery (that’s what NPB stands for).

2. VARSHAKIRAN BHOJANALAYA

If you are in the mood for some home style food just dial 7588579635 and order a Maharashtrian Thali which will be delivered fresh and hot to your home in a stainless-steel Tiffin Carrier . A simple unpretentious  wholesome meal comprising varan-bhat (dal-rice), two vegetables ( a rassa and a sukha bhaji), Chappaties and Salad. Priced at fifty bucks this is a real value-for-money meal.

3. FAASO’S

Go for the Wraps and avoid the rest of the menu. Yes, the wraps are superb – all the wraps are truly excellent – Veg and Non-Veg. (By the way, for the uninitiated, wraps are sanitized versions of the inimitable Kathi Rolls or Frankies). I especially like the Chicken Bhuna Wrap and Green Paneer Wrap. However, I found the “Mughlai” (Stuffed Mutton Paratha) terrible, almost nauseating, drenched in oil and stuffed with underdone mutton. I strongly recommend a visit by the Chef to Bade Mian in Mumbai to observe how Baida Roti is made if Faaso’s is serious about their “Mughlai” Parathas.  Lastly, the less said about the “Biryani” the better – a truly pathetic flavourless Biryani with tough pieces of chicken with a tasteless potato and a cold boiled egg thrown in – truly appalling! The ambience of the eatery is pretty lousy too so I always prefer to dial 9325545355 and order the wraps home as they pack it quite well and hygienically. Remember, just stick to the Wraps. And here is some friendly advice for FAASO’S – Specialize in Wraps and discard the rest of the menu.

4. INDIAN IN A BOX

I like the food here. There is Chinese and there are the usual Indian dishes and all dishes are quite tasty. The only dish I do not like here is the Biryani – absolutely second-rate stuff. My favourite is the Meal-For-One “Favourite Chicken Box” comprising an Aloo Tuk Tuk + Chicken Tikka Masala + Laccha Paratha. So, of you are in the mood for a satiating meal dial 02022931800 and order whatever you want.

5. ADITYA

If you have hungry vegetarian guests dial 02065101088 and order the food from Aditya. My favourites are the Methi Malai Mutter and Navrattan Korma. While most Veg dishes are quite good, I found the Non-Veg dishes too spicy and oily and the Biryani was awful. 

6. NATURAL ICE CREAM

I love ending my meal with soothing Tender Coconut Ice Cream from Natural Ice Cream Parlour!

Since I arrives in Wakad, I have been “Eating-In” more than “Eating-Out” since 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.

In Hinjewadi, there are many other places too like the ubiquitous McDonald’s, Domino’s, Smoking Joe’s and CCD and some excellent fine dining options like Barbeque Nation at Sayaji, MoMo Cafe at Courtyard Marriot, Admiralty, Lemon Tree and Mezza 9, and towarsd Baner there is the evergreen Sadanand and a cafe called Linger On which I have heard so much about and am going to visit soon. But I will tell you about them later.

Till now I have delved on the Western side of Wakad towards Hinjewadi.

Now I am going to explore the Eastern side of Wakad, places like Vishalnagar, Pimple Nilakh et al. Someone has just told me about a place called Iyer’s Tiffins in Vishalnagar nearby, so maybe I’ll drop in tomorrow morning for a Dosa and Filter Coffee or better still for an Idli-Wada “Tiffin” in the evening.

If anyone in Wakad is reading this, do let us know of some of your favourite eating places out here and nearby.

Till then, Happy Eating. And remember - there is no love greater than the love of eating.

VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2011
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 almost 14 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
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Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
vikramkarve@gmail.com

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
  

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tips. Its a blessing to have home delivery options around Wakad. Have tried Aditya and liked the food but couldn't say the same for Indian-in-a-box or maybe what I ordered was just not their speciality. I think it was biryani.
Where is BPN Square..don't recollect having seen it on the Hinjewadi-Wakad stretch.

Vikram Waman Karve said...

Hi,
I am glad you liked this post.
NPB Food Square is to the left off the highway towards Mumbai just beyond the Hyundai and Maruti showrooms(take the left turn towards Hinjewadi at the underpass on the road from Chinchwad to Hinjewadi)
Happy Eating
Vikram

Anonymous said...

Try Copa Cabana near Jagtap dairy. They have very good food options and a very nice ambience too.

Vikram Waman Karve said...

Copa Cabana - Very expensive - certainly not value for money food