Biryani At The Roof Top

It's been long since I have been in Pune and I can assure you that this place is a gourmet's delight, for the sheer fact that there are more eateries (and banks ) per square km over here, than any other part of the country. Much as Lucknow has more ex-chief ministers per square km than any other part in country.

But as often happens, quality suffer due to quantity. This is more true in case of Muglai(known as Punjabi) and South Indian dishes. The biggest culprits are the cluster of restraunts present at picturesque Chandini Chowk(Yes Delhites, amchi Pune also has one) . Then there is farcical Manmeet on Ferguesson College Road. On the name of Lucknow, it mostly serves rubbish.

Since it's has been a long time out of Lucknow, it's also a long time I have tasted that delicious Biryani outside King George Medical College gate, or Tunde's Lucknawi and Kakori Kebab. Of course, my gastro-intestinal condition has also played a big role in denying me this pleasure .

But last Friday, I had a pleasant surprise. We (especially Ashish ) coaxed benevolent Saurabh for a treat at Le Meridian. Everyone knows these 5 stars are notorious for bad food. I have had mixed experience - good food at Sun-N-Sand, Pune and bad at Taj Blue Diamond, Pune and Landmark, Kanpur.

I had ordered( I find this word very derogatory in this context) for myself Sabz-Ki-Tehri along with Daal Chingari and others had requested for Chicken Biryani along with other dishes. It was really really yummy experience and it reminded us of those old delicious days. We over ate ourselves, and still Dil longed for more. Everything seemed to just melt in our mouths. We still feel the hang over of the rice varieties we tasted there.

So those fellas, who happen to be in Pune must check out the roof top restraunt at Le Meridian for these delicacies. Others should wait for their turn. Either they should arrange for a visit to Lucknow or to Pune. But one thing is sure, this whole experience is ten times more costlier in Pune than in City of Nawabs.