Pune - Must eats.....

Pune is a place famous for students, industries and auto industries and with all the development comes a place with multi-culture. If one asks me what not to miss in Pune in terms of the famous food is concerned, here is my laundry list (in no order of preference)

1. Puneri Thaali (Pure Veg Joint) called Shreyas with Marathi taste and an array of lot of delicacies – a bit costly as compared to Mumbai- guess around 150-180 bucks but worth a meal without a breakfast.
2. Puneri Pitla-Bhakri – Kailas Besan Bhakri and Joshi Vade waala – on the highway connecting Mahabaleshwar-Pune-Mumbai, before the express way begins…damages just 60 bucks per plate
3. Traditional Royal Marathi food – Jadhavgarh Fort around 30 mins drive from Chandni Chowk junction, this old heritage fort turned hotel and restaurant is worth a visit. Ambience and the feel along with food is good for a hefty sum of around 700 bucks per person
4. Veg Continental food in peace – Oakwood Hotel
5. Burgers – At some place near FC (Ferguson College) in a home turned ground floor bake eatery.
6. Kulfi – This famous kulfi guy on
   JM Road
   , near the lane besides Mc Donalds – any local guy would guide you to this place and you would find atleast 10-15 varieties of Kulfis and all good – not to miss the Gulkand (Rosepetals), Chocolate, Sitaphal, Malai, Pista, Strawberry and the Chickoo ones…. I myself had 5 plates. No sharing plss.

7. World Famous – Biscuits – Shrewsbury biscuits of the KAYANI BAKERY – a pack of around 50 bucks and many other varieties too… a half a century old traditional bawa (parsi- irani) shop. Don’t get your ego hurt by the ruthless behavior of the owners and the staff (all the staff are relatives and brothers) and they feel that they are doing you a big favor by giving you these biscuits, but never mind, food ke liye kuch bhi karega.
8. World Famous – Bhakarwadi – Another famous Maharashtrian snack item – from one and only CHITALE BANDHU – A good six sigma process of buying these and a scores of other snacks and sweets. I offered to find them a private equity to expand the business with multiple chain model but they seemed to happy with what they are doing and don’t have time for even one more outlet. Got to know from some offline rumors that the guy has already clicked a deal by selling his Bhakarwadi formula and patent to someone at Rs 200 Crs !
9. Paan (Beetelnut leaf)– At any good paan shop – how to identify its good ? Need to have lot of Shining yellow Brass utensils (Huge plate, Pots, Jars) and decoratives (Elephants, Horses, other artifacts in the same metal) and ofcourse a fleet of cars on the roads and a crowded area – you have found one good Paan shop and there are many – for a change, if you wish to get a kick, can try “Fulchand Paan” – secret ingredient !

Anything I have missed out ? Am sure… so do add on..