have lost my heart to pune

Does your face light up like a million bulbs each time the word food is mentioned. Well, then welcome to the foodies club my friend! Till some time back Indian to me meant Mughlai, oriental was a hearty dose of Indian styled Chinese food and I could take down a neat dose of pizza to qualify as someone who ate continental cuisine as well. It was actually Pune that opened up my senses to the finer nuances of food. I had the good fortune of staying in the city for nearly two years as part of my stint with Indian Express and I had a whale of a time trying out new places and new cuisines. As my fascination with food grew, so did my waistline...well,but that's another matter altogether. I am sure everyone is familar with Kayani Bakery and German Bakery. But there is so much more to the city than that...every nook and cranny is crammed with Irani cafes (which are slowly closing down to accomodate the flashy retail shops) that serve the best ban maskas, cookies and chai in the whole wide world. If you are in any of the peths then opt for the traditional fare at any of the eateries. Go to Gopi for a fiery meal of Kolhapuri mutton. As you sit gulp down mouthful after mouthful of lethal albeit scrumptuous food, the owner leaves no moment unturned to inform you that his restaurant has been visited by the likes of Nana Patekar. If you have lost your heart to Bengali food then worry not as Radhika restaurant opposite ESquare would satisfy your cravings for macher jhol and railway mutton curry.
I could fill page after page about the lovely jewels that line the Fergusson College Road. Whether it is Chaitanya that serves the most divine parathas or Vaishali where you could savour everything from pav bhaji to sambhar dosa, each eatery gives you a glimpse of the fabric of the city. You will find a diverse mix of students from all across the world chatting away in one corner, while a troupe of families will be holding a private conference in the other. Whatever the place be, the spirit of bonhomie is reflected everywhere. It is no wonder that Pune comes across as a happy city. Cheery faces, bustling market places, helping hands and good food- doesn't that tempt you to take the next plane down!
And Pune Univeristy Canteen is to be seen to be believed. As you walk down the quiet environs of the University, you will suddenly chance a quaint little place holding fort under a huge banyan tree. That's it..that's the Pune University Canteen. It surely is an hatke experience to have steaming hot idli sambhar or bread pakora in this unique setting. And who can forget Ramakrishna for the bestest dal khichdis in the world! How many hungry journalists has this delicacy sustained is something that will go down in history.
For a more fine dining experience, head to ABC Farms, Koregaon Park or Dolhe Patil Road. Malakka Spice in Koregaon Park will remain forever special to me as this is the first place that my husband took me out for a date and this is the first place that I had a taste of Vietnamese food. As little fairy lights bring the place to life, the eatery takes you on a journey down the spice route- you have some remarkable dishes from Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia coupled with the finest selection of wines. This place is a must visit!
If you wish to treat your senses to some fine music along with some great food then head to ABC Farms, which is also in Koregaon Park. A group of restaurants are located in this pristine setting. As noted jazz musicians and rock bands light up the evenings with their music, the restaurants whip up some of the best Mediterranean and Continental cuisine in the city. Each restaurant, whether it is Shisha Cafe, Curves or Swiss Garden, has its own unique character that will surely touch a chord with you.
Dhole Patil Road also offers its own unique selection of eateries. There is Mainland China for some delectable Oriental cuisine, Bombay Brasserie for Indian and Sigree for Hyderabadi food.
I shall always be grateful to the city for opening up my tastebuds to the delights of sea food. There is no where that I have tasted chilli chicken with curry leaves. Do I see you turning up your noses at this unique combo? Well don't 'cos Coconut Grove serves the hottest spiciest yummiest Andhra Chilli Chicken. Grab a drink and chow on the tenderest of neer dosas with chicken gassi. Coconut Grove would be the best place to sample authentic Mangalorean food and that too at extremely reasonable rates. I never had the opportunity to visit Mahesh Lunch Home, but I believe that it is a great place to go for seafood as well.
If you are in Pune, then bike is the best way to get around. I still can't get over the biking trip taken by the gang to Peacock bay on an extremely rainy Independence Day. Or the whimsical trip that me and Sumu took to Mahabaleshwar, sampling corn cakes and sinful strawberries all the way. And who can forget the extremely drunk expedition a whole lot of us embarked on to Sinhagad (Mom Dad if you are browsing through my blog...you could consider not reading on :) ) Though I don't remember most of the trip as I was in a state of drunken enlightenment, I do remember having a hot cuppa and bhajjis at this small tapri at the top of the mountain. And for the life of me, I shall never forget the glorious sunrise that greeted us at dawn. Or the other time at Sinhagad, when Plaban kept looking down crevices and wells looking for ghosts and Manu high on Rang De Basanti fever couldnt stop singing (braying) " masti ki pathshaala"! Sometimes it feels that I have wrapped up so many memories in such a short span of time....I will forever cherish the place where work wasn't work, it was sheer fun...where I learnt to handle my first drink and then mishandled it would be more like it (yes and no need to remind me of a certain farewell party).., where we had the most fantabulous parties at Rashmi's place and for some strange reason Sam insisted on frying all sausages himself (Some one clear the mystery pls) where I met the bestest person on earth (Sumu..u could gloat a little now), where I met friends for life and where everything good happened to me!
So, why am in Delhi again..thats a different story..for another time. But Pune....will miss you forever! sob sob sob