PUNE’S BEST FOOD FORWARD!!
The historic city of Pune has innumerable faces to it. It has a grand and courageous past. It holds its long preserved Marathi culture, strong! It is India’s first tech-city and education hub for Maharashtra. Most importantly is the food served by this city, believe me, it is amazing! Pune offers so much variety because of the diversification of every culture in India. In my opinion, Pune truly will fit as the food capital! Not only does it have its own specialties but it also serves food items that will soothe the taste buds of every Indian. For people who love Italian, Mexican, Chinese, and every cuisine from India, Pune has it all! Don’t even get me started on the street food that this city offers. From Chole Bhature to Idli-dosa and from Pizza to Momos and living Chaat off the list is absolutely no option! Now that I have told you the mouth-watering description of the story, scroll down to check what you should have when you visit the city. These are not only the must-haves but these are also Pune’s best-haves. SCROLL AWAY! YOU CANNOT LEAVE PUNE WITHOUT HAVING THESE DISHES! 1) SHREWSBERRY BISCUITS Shrewsberry biscuits from Kayani bakery This is Pune’s ultimate creation. If you are a person with a huge sweet tooth then you have to visit this place called “KAYANI BAKERY”. This bakery serves these buttery soft cookies that will melt in your mouth and leaves this mild sweet taste with a little bit of vanilla and the sand-like texture of it makes people from the entire country crazy about these cookies. Plum Cake is also a must-have from here. WHERE: Camp, East Street, Pune. Tip — Please pack loads of it before you leave! 2) VADA PAV Vada Pav from J.J. Garden Even if Vada Pav is a Maharashtrian dish and is relished by every person. I personally love the blend of potato with spicy green chili and when it is dipped in gram flour and fried…. It is just the best and you definitely cannot miss it. It can satisfy your hunger in a way that nothing else can. Pune offers it a little differently than other places. You get 2-3 types of chutneys to have it with. It almost tempts you to eat one more! There are a lot of places that serve it around the city. But the best one is “GARDEN VADAPAV”. WHERE: Bootee Street, Camp, Pune. Tip–Do not forget to ask for more churra (fried crumbs) besides Vada Pav this is the best! 3) MISAL PAV Misal Pav from Katakirr If you are a person who likes spicy food then believe me you will love Misal Pav more than anything. Misal Pav is a spicy curry made with Mat bean (matki) and authentic Maharashtrian spices and is topped with farsaan. This dish is not invented in Pune but is best served in Pune. There is a rivalry in places that serve Misal Pav bragging about the taste and preparation. “KATAKIRR” is the place you will want to visit for tasting this. It offers you 3 gravies called “rassa”; mild, normal, and spicy. Spicy will do the magic when you have it with cold masala buttermilk and a jalebi! WHERE: Pimple Saudagar branch, Pune. Tip–Do not have mild and normal rassa, Misal is meant to be spicy! 4) KEEMA PAV Keema from Cafe Goodluck Preparation of Chicken or Mutton; minced and flavored with spices and is served hot with Pav. Heaven isn’t it? When you are at “CAFÉ GOODLUCK”, this is what you should have without any doubt. This place is the oldest café in Pune. It serves Irani Chai and Bun Maska too. Café Goodluck is a brunch place that is a must-visit. True Punekar will definitely suggest this place. It is sort of a pride thing for Pune and the café lives up to it! The road where it is located is named after the café. So you can imagine the hype now?! WHERE: Goodluck Chowk, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune. Tip–Either rush their early morning is for the breakfast or you will end up waiting in long lines for the seat 5) MASTANI Mastani from Sujata A cold, sweet, thick, flavored milk preparation filled with dry fruits and topped with ice cream is to die for. Mastani is the answer to all your problems. It is a little high on money but is worth it. “SUJATA” is the place where this milk is served. The entire city has almost 50 outlets of SUJATA MASTANI. It is served in mango, plain, strawberry, chocolate, and many other flavors. Of which the majority of people love MANGO MASTANI. It is just out of this world. WHERE: There are many outlets around the city you can opt for whichever is nearer. Tip–Sitafal Mastani is not chosen by all but true lovers never have mango! 6) PITHLA BHAKARI Pithala Bhakari from Sinhgad Fort To have this simple yet totally satisfying dish you need to trek. Even if this dish is available in every restaurant and dhaba it will not taste even a little like the one at “SINHGAD FORT”. This fort is a legacy left to Maharashtra by Shivaji Maharaj. Some people live on the fort, have their huts built. They serve hot Pithala and Bhakari for a very reasonable price. When you visit Sinhgad and you are around the huts you will smell the aroma. Even if you are not hungry you will have it. Freshly prepared and served with spicy onion chutney. This is the basic Marathi meal. Also do not miss out on the piping hot onion fritters (Kanda bhajjis). Matka Dahi is curd set in tiny mud pots and this when had with sugar or cumin powder and salt tastes awesome. WHERE: Sinhgad fort locals. Tip–Visit the place in mid monsoon season to watch its beauty,
Weekend Getaway to Mussoorie
While Mussoorie is a great place to visit any time of the year, it shines through during summer. The captivating beauty of the Himalayan Mountains and the peaceful atmosphere, thanks to the monasteries and Tibetan settlements are what make Mussoorie, Queen of the hills. Mussoorie is located in Uttarakhand and is about 300-kilometers north of New Delhi. Mussoorie is also known to attract adventure sports enthusiasts. With options like sky-walking, river rafting, rock climbing, and paragliding, people are literally spoilt for choice. How to Reach: Falls in the Dehradun District and is 30 km from Dehradun. Dehradun has a national airport along with railways and bus transport. A bus is available every half hour between 5 AM and 8 PM. The bus will leave you at the Library point where cab rentals and self-driving rentals are available. Mussoorie does not have a direct rail link to any of the major towns and cities. Dehradun is the only station that serves Mussoorie throughout the day. Weekend Hotspots: Lal Tibba: Lal Tibba is the highest peak in the region. One should never miss out on a chance to visit Gun-Hill, which is the second-highest. There is an interesting story about this place. It is said that every afternoon, The British used to fire cannons from atop the hill at 3 pm so that the locals knew what time of the day it was. Gun Hill is also popular because it is located above the Mall, which has a cable car ropeway for those who are lazy to trek to the top. Anyways, once you get to the top of the hill, you are treated to an astounding view of the Himalayas, and the city. Happy Valley: In the midst of all the hills, forests, and adventure-seeking is a settlement of Tibetans. A few thousand Tibetans migrated two generations ago to areas around Uttarakhand along with the Dalai Lama. It was in Mussoorie that Dalai Lama had established the Tibetan ‘government in exile’ after fleeing from Chinese authorities in 1959. The government in exile later moved to Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh. Most of the Tibetan community stayed in the Happy Valley. It is located on the western side of the Library Point, which leads to the ‘Cloud’s end’. Serene gardens, beautiful Tibetan temples, and the famous IAS academy call Happy Valley their home. The Valley seems like a mini-Tibet. The houses, temples, and monasteries are a sneak peek into the Tibet-Chinese culture. The immense beauty is sure to leave everybody spellbound. From the wooded estates to the gardens, and the beautiful temples, these endless sights are always a treat to watch. It is impossible to not mention the snow-covered mountain caps and mountain streams. For Photographers, Happy Valley is the paradise of their dreams and is an absolute must-visit, any time of the year. It is ideal to explore the valley around the summer months(During the winter half the valley is covered in snow, xD). Another place to add to the ‘never miss out’ list is the Char Khamba ridge point. This point falls at about 250 meters from the Dalai Hill. Though not the tallest peak in the area, Char Khamba has is known for the view which it provides, a complete 360 of the Valley. Lake Mist and Kempty Falls: This quaint lake gives one an unforgettably rejuvenating experience. The peaceful, unpolluted environment around the lake is complemented by the several waterfalls fed by the waters of the Kempty river. A number of multi-cuisine restaurants and accommodation options make this an ideal place to unwind with your family and friends. Do not forget to get your camera to capture the beauty of the cascading Kempty waterfalls. Landour: Landour is a cantonment town around 4 kilometers away from Mussoorie and it is among the calm places around the Himalayan region. It sits among the forest-covered terrains and is perched atop the slope of a hill. It is a quaint place and is a perfect getaway to wind down and chill. Travelers who spend some time here come out refreshed, and relaxed. The homemade peanut butter around here is a treat to the taste buds, one you will take home with you. And for those unaware, Landour is home to Ruskin Bond. He is an established children’s writer and comes down to Cambridge Book Depot every weekend. The depot is at the Mussoorie Mall Road, yet another crowd magnet. The road has everything from restaurants and cafes to souvenirs and video game parlors. It is a typical market that is always bustling and is referred to as the Library and Picture Palace side by the locals. No doubt that it gives life to the streets of Mussoorie and is a throbbing artery of the district. In addition to this, the Shivalik range nearby gives breathtaking views of the Doon Valley and is surrounded by a range of shrubs, creepers, and wildlife. Benog Wildlife Sanctuary: If you are a wildlife enthusiast then you have a lot to get excited about Mussoorie, from the Benog Wildlife Sanctuary to the Vinog Mountain Quail Sanctuary. These sanctuaries are known for the lush vegetation amid snow-covered mountains. They were established around 1993 and are expansive, spreading over 340 hectares (That’s 340 hectares of heaven for you folks) including space for the Mountain quails and the Pahari Bater. Sadly, Mountain quails are very low in number and are on the verge of extinction. The sanctuaries are open all round the year and are a heavenly treat for birdwatchers all over the world. From the lush-green sanctuaries to the snow-capped mountains, and from the sky ride adventure parks to the quaint Tibetan settlements, Mussoorie has something for everybody. It is a great set up for family and especially for solo excursions, making it a perfect weekend getaway destination.
