This one is for foodies..

It’s all about food

The new restaurants in Koregaon Park are theme-based, catering to a clientele preferring a particular kind of cuisine — Thai, Italian or Goan, there is no going back that the demanding customer is looking for that perfect meal

Aditi Thirani Koregaon Park

It’s the changing face of a city that is attracting it all big businesses, real estate and new eateries. A walk down Koregaon Park will certainly give you a feel of the restaurant-crazy Pune. From one end of the road to the other, criss-crossing both North and South Main Road, can be seen restaurants specialising in different cuisines to suit different tastes.

Situated near German Bakery in Koregaon Park, Masala Melange means a mixture of spices and specialises in both Thai and Continental food. The vibrant colours and lounge seating arrangement gives the place a calm and casual feel. The two-level restaurant with a see-through kitchen allows people to see the food as it is being prepared. With the range of cuisine stretching from Indian to Italian, there is a lot to pick and choose here.

According to manager Ketan Khanse, the transformation from South Indian to Thai has been a recent phenomenon. "We have recently made a shift from South Indian to Thai. Our pizzas and pastas are also very popular," he says. The restaurant changed its kitchen to Thai in November last year and is a hot favourite among corporates and foreigners alike. "I come with my colleagues and it’s a good place to discuss both home and work," says Atul Timgire a software engineer. "It’s summer so we have not made arrangements for outside seating. During the monsoon we are planning to have chairs under a tin roof," says Ketan.

If Italian interests you, head straight for Squisito in Lane 5 of Koregaon Park. The restaurant specialises in Mexican, Lebanese and Italian cuisine. The restaurant’s theme is Italian and everything is inspired by Italy - inclusing of course it’s live kitchen. Asif Shaikh, the restaurant’s manager says, "We started out in December last year and have tried to give the restaurant an Italian feel.". Regulars love the Machos with Refried Bean. The Lebanese Falafel and Mexican crispy chilly balls are well worth a try. "It is the inviting atmosphere that makes me feel good," says Jeet Singh a frequent visitor. Sudhir Ahuja, a resident of Koregaon Park says his girlfriend loves the restaurant. "My girlfriend likes the kind of vibe this place has. I feel at home here."

If it’s sea food you’re after then the place to head is Casa De Goa in Kalyani Nagar. As the name implies, it is a Goan restaurant offering an array of sea food. The restaurant has been in operation since February and the name simply translated means house of Goa. The dishes to swoon over include Prawn Balchao, Lobster Goan Masala, Squids in Butter Garlic besides the Chicken Vindaloo. The ambience is worth a mention. The lighting and wall hangings give the restaurant a very Goan feel.

"People come here from across the city," says manager Arun Raina. "I like the variety of soups on offer and my family which loves Goa and its cuisine keeps wanting to come back to this restaurant," says Kunal Sapru, a garmets exporter in Koregaon Park. "The popularity of this eatery has spurred us on to think of opening a Kashmiri restaurant," says Arun. It seems the market is moving from the conventional restaurant that churns up a range of multi-cuisine delights to one that is theme based, preparing food specific to a country or a state.