As you've probably figured out by now, I love good Asian food. Thai, Malay, Indonesian, any kind
and they are all available under one roof at Malaka Spice in Pune.
A restaurant that has been around for years and has only
grown in both size and menu. I remember going there when I was in college and
have been back on multiple occasions ever since. Through all my visits and from
all the referrals I have got, I can confidently say that they have never
wavered in service or quality, not something most restaurants can boast about.
The reason behind their success is the strong husband and
wife duo, Praful and Chef Cheeru Chandwarkar, who have managed to grow this
establishment by involving themselves in every aspect of the business;
especially the food, giving their customers a taste that’s hard to forget.
Unfortunately as I learned on my most recent visit, Chef
Cheeru is no longer with us and our hearts go out to her family and loved ones.
She was clearly an integral and inspirational part of the restaurant as she
managed the food and kitchen and I was told by our waitress Neeta, that she
would make many of the sauces, masala's and recipes herself based on her many
visits and experiences around Asia. Malaka Spice lives on in her memory and
takes forward her motto of ‘Live life, Love life’.
The restaurant has an earthy décor with a beautiful large al
fresco seating area that’s surrounded by green hedges and trees, lit with fairy
lights and Chinese lanterns in shades of red, purple and yellow. A few typical
‘Asian’ themed props are featured around the restaurant like the colourful
flower adorned tuk tuk at the entrance and a large Buddha head sculpture that
is seated in the middle of the restaurant. On a hot summer’s night, you’re
cooled off with a thin spurt of water that’s let out occasionally from the
water spray machine that runs all through the outdoor table area and on a cool winter's day the place
is chilly but comfortable.
The menu is extensive with a huge range of delicious dishes
on offer, each one sounds more appetising than the next. So after rounds of
debates and discussions with the hubs, I'm sure all you married folk would
relate, we finally got around to sending in our orders and as I waited
patiently for the food to arrive I sipped and slurped away at my cool,
refreshing Malaka Spice special iced tea; milky iced lemon tea, flavoured with
lemon grass and cinnamon. Slurrrrp!
Our meal for the evening consisted of a few starters and one
main. We started with a serve of Thai Special Mutton Chops; beautifully
marinated barbecued chops with browned, caramelised onions. Yum!
Chicken Satay; skewers of succulent grilled chicken pieces
served with a special thick peanut sauce that had a bit of a spicy kick.
And Papaya Salad; shredded unripe papaya that was soft but
crunchy and perfectly dressed with a sweet, salty, spicy sauce that adds a
refreshing zing to your palate.
For our main we had the ever so popular Thai Green Curry
with fluffy steamed white rice; aromatic green curry filled with tender chicken
pieces and a handful of fresh vegetables. This dish was teeming with flavours
of assorted herbs and spices including lemon grass, kafir lime, Thai basil,
galangal and the works. Just delicious :)
At the end of the meal we were just so full that I still
have to re-visit to try out the desserts and honestly I can’t wait! So, if you’re
in Pune any time soon make sure you find the time to drop in to this little
restaurant nestled between the trees of the popular Koregaon Park and I'm sure
you'll leave as full-bellied and happy as me.
Address:
Malaka Spice,
Lane 5, Koregaon Park,
Pune- 411001.
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