From Bombay to Pune

This is a road trip I have to endure every couple of weeks since my hubby dearest has managed to find himself a job in Pune and I have decided to stay on in aamchi Mumbai, to pursue my day job which helps me fund my food addiction. So every second Friday I'm off for the weekend, from Bombay to Pune.

Pune has changed over the years and has developed into a crowded little city. With new buildings popping up on every street and corner the city is swarming with people, cars, scooters, ashram lovers and the sorts. This means good news for the restaurant business and there has been a sudden boom in the city, with tons of eateries opening up everywhere.

A restaurant that I scoped out, which is a must for anyone visiting Pune, is the Bistro at Oakwood Hotel. This spacious and stylishly conceived deli style café, is simple in its décor and generous with its food. Large wooden benches line the restaurant that ends in an open style kitchen, where the chefs are busy putting orders together and if the weather permits you can even sit outdoors and enjoy the sun or cool evening breeze in the quaintly arranged al fresco seating area.

The menu toilers with egg-centred breakfasts, sandwiches or salad lunches and dinners that favour Italian and Mediterranean staples.

I've managed to visit the restaurant twice now and have sampled a lunch and dinner meal; once with my mum and sister for a girlie luncheon and once with the hubs for a romantic dinner. Both times we were greeted by friendly, professional service staff and our tummies were well looked after by Chef Shailendra Singh and his delightful array of food.

At lunch the meal consisted of an Egg Salad Sandwich for my sister; a generous filling of boiled egg, mayo and lettuce, between not two but three slices of soft brown bread, served with wedges and a side salad. Simple yet satisfying.

The head of the family, my mother, a veteran foodie in her own right and definitely the parent that I've inherited my food-loving genes from, ordered the Grilled Salmon served with a Medley of Vegetables and Creamy Mash. The verdict was good. Fleshy, coral-pink salmon that was flawlessly cooked, coupled with crunchy veggies and a velvety soft potato mash that all came together to form a delicious finish on the palate.

Last but not least I opted for a Caramelised Onion and Goat Cheese Sandwich; soft, brown curls of sweetened onion mixed with creamy, crumbly chunks of goat cheese in a fresh panini, grilled to perfection. Mmmm!

At dinner, the meal started off with a Mezze Platter that included a trio of dips; hummus, babaganoush and an authentic tabouleh served with hot chewy triangles of pita bread and a portion of the Southern Fried Chicken; soft chicken tenders lightly crusted with a golden coating of crunchy crumbs, served with a tangy tomato salsa.

This was followed by our mains, Margherita Pizza; a large thin and crispy pizza topped with a deliciously fresh tomato sauce, stringy mozzarella and fresh basil leaves. Oh I love a good pizza! And the hublet, who is quite the carnivore, settled for the Bistro Grill; a meat feast of a juicy pork sausage, a grilled piece of chicken breast and a tenderloin medallion served with veggies, wedges and crisp side salad. Meat your heart out!

After both occasions (lunch and dinner that is), we ended the night with Baked Cheesecake…drool! Smooth, velvety bites of creamy sweetened cheese, that ended with the perfect crunch of the crumbly base…mmmm bliss!

This is a restaurant that I will definitely be visiting again and again and fingers crossed that the food remains consistently good. Like I said before, a must visit if your in Pune.

Address:
Oakwood Premier,
81 Mundhwa,
Koregaon Park Annex,
Pune- 411001.

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Bistro at Oakwood Hotel