Chaitanya Paranthas, Pune
Next to Subway, Tukaram Paduka Chowk, FC Road, Pune. Phone No : 095794 64768, 080551 64451
2200 hours, 20th August 2014, Wednesday:
A classic road side joint, just about scraping through to being a dine in eatery. Located on the busy FC Road means a big deal, I really wish it justified its presence in this premium area.
My biggest grouse with this place is not about its food, which incidentally is top class, but about its ambiance. An utter casual atmosphere, just a few functional tables and chairs thrown in, dirty menu cards strewn around, unkempt floor and no semblance of order. The servers, at many times, clutter around in a bunch, and you have to resort to sign language to seek their attention. They have a system of paying first, collecting the token and then being served the fare. Fair. Manned by a sophisticated lady, presumably one of the owners, at the counter, she seemed to be doing an excellent job of managing the affairs, both in the dine in area and in the kitchen.
I was conscious of my calorie intake for he day, and hence resisting all my urges to order a butter laden parantha, I called for a Special Punjabi Thali (INR 110). And full marks to the fare that I received. My thali had chhole, paneer preparation , two non buttered plain paranthas, black dal, jeera rice, one mini katori of boondi raita, one mini katori of fruit custard and one glassful of chilled buttermilk.
The chhole were good, the paneer gravy could have used a little less oil, the plain paranthas were wheat and crisp and fair size, the black daal was awesome, the jeera rice seemed a little low class, and the yellow fryums rolls simply added to the noise. The boondi raita, on the other hand had crispy boondis and a distinct nostalgic taste to it. The custard was frighteningly deep yellow in colour. the buttermilk came out tops.
So it was a yoyo kind of affair, either the items were too good or too bad. Nothing in between.
The Verdict: This eatery is clearly driven by the mission of feeding you well, as opposed to giving you food for thought for gourmet fare. Of playing to your hunger instead of your imagination. Which is not a bad philosophy provided you have corresponding high levels of hygiene and service to match. Then you can cock a snook at the world and continue in your obduracy.
The ratings, they go like this.:
The Food Quotient : Food Quality 3 / 5, Food Choices 4 / 5, Food Portion 4 / 5, Food Presentation 3 / 5
The Other Determinants : Location 4 / 5, Cleanliness 2 / 5, Warmth 2.5 / 5
The Hygiene Factors : Ambiance 2 / 5, Space quotient 3 / 5, Delivery time 3 / 5
The Conclusives : Food Price 3.5 / 5, Honesty 5 / 5, Overall Experience 3 / 5, Will I Visit again 2.5 / 5
PS: Bouquets / brickbats on the review can be addressed to [email protected] or submitted below.
The ratings, they go like this.:
The Food Quotient : Food Quality 3 / 5, Food Choices 4 / 5, Food Portion 4 / 5, Food Presentation 3 / 5
The Other Determinants : Location 4 / 5, Cleanliness 2 / 5, Warmth 2.5 / 5
The Hygiene Factors : Ambiance 2 / 5, Space quotient 3 / 5, Delivery time 3 / 5
The Conclusives : Food Price 3.5 / 5, Honesty 5 / 5, Overall Experience 3 / 5, Will I Visit again 2.5 / 5
PS: Bouquets / brickbats on the review can be addressed to [email protected] or submitted below.
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