Portico Restaurant — Restaurant in Maharashtra

Superlative Buffets as always… not to be missed at least (Mango Fest till 22nd May - Brunch)

If you are staying at Sayaji, live in City of Pune, or just happen to be on four wheels on Mumbai-Bangalore Bypass Highway, do take a break and visit Portico and have scrumptious lunch/dinner - a quick one or a comfort convoluted one. You would undoubtedly love it.

These days, dinner is being offered with a special theme - Mango Fest. And you cannot afford to miss it, I bet!

You may start off your meal with sweet and tangy, mint flavoured Mango Panna, the most thirst-quenching summer beverage that has not only abundance of nutritious benefits it obviously works as an absolute aperitif.

Do try Hara Bhara Kebabs that have crispy crust but soft from the heart. With no existence of any greasiness, it must be tried with sweet and sour ‘Mango Chutney’ that enhances the taste and flavour further.

I did try Som Tum Mamuang aka Thai Green Mango Salad with brilliantly balanced sweetness and warmth of the mango with the acidity of the lime juice and the kick of chilli. I personally loved it because of its delightful range of textures: the gentleness of the mango contrasting the crunch from the peppers, lettuce and nuts.

I personally love a dish that has all five tastes, Khatta, Meetha, Namkeen, Teekha and Kasaila and to my surprise Aam ki Aamti (Indian Lentil with Raw Mango) was the faultless and flawless food item. The Winner without a doubt! And it went so very well with simple Boiled Basmati. And naturally for me there was no further need to try Daal Bukhara or Daal Lasooni Tadka after this.

I would indeed bring up a Signature Dish “Mediterranean Vegetable Terrine” specially prepared by Chef Shankar who has about 50 Associates working with him. MVT was undeniably an excellent delicacy. Visually as well as taste and flavour wise. Just sharing that Terrine is a deep sided mould used for baking, steaming and freezing foods. Packed with the summer's best produce, especially zucchini, tomatoes and basil, drenched in Olive Oil with subtle garlic flavour it was so very balanced that there was no need to have as an accompaniment grilled garlic toast or fresh tomato sauce. Simply Mind-blowing!

What being revealed here are just a few items, there is abundance of Veg and Non-veg Items prepared with immense care and enormous concern with magical touch. So very superior and splendid in overall taste and flavour.

I was so very amazed and impressed by the Dessert Station. There was a huge assortment of Mango based Desserts and they all were far-fetched, fanciful. Mango Kalakand, Mango Rabri, Mango Rasmalai, Mango Cheesecake, Sugar-free Mango Gateaux, Mango Cake, Mango Vanilla Panna Cota and above all nice range of Fresh Mangoes on display. Pick up a mango you would like to try, hand it over to the Chef behind the counter and he would give it to you diced.

Though I consider sugar to be “Dangerous White Drug” I couldn’t stop myself from trying Mango Rabri (Mango Basundi) and Mango Rasmalai. Both were outstanding with no excessive sweetness. I did request the Production Department to serve me if possible Two Scoops of Mango Ice-cream on the bed of pulp of Best Quality Mango topped with Diced Mango, it was prepared and it was like HEAVENLY!

I must extend my sincere thanks the entire Brigade of Chefs in the Production Area especially Vinod, Rajendra, Bharat, Praveen, Mahesh and Kamal.

It is interesting to know that under the leadership of Mr. Kanojia, (GM) Portico does have themed Buffets quite often.

Do visit Portico. If you are driving by, turn your mundane or planned journey into an immense Culinary Journey.  Do not miss the opportunity at least now. Mango Festival does steal the show. For me there is Buzz-line that comes naturally – “Aam Ke Aam, Gutthliyon Ke Bhi...

Portico By Sayaji!

Portico is an in house restaurant by Sayaji and is located in wakad, the restaurant serves North Indian, Asian and European cuisines. The restaurant as a pleasant ambiance and the seating is comfortable. I visited this place last week for dinner for the Monsoon Delight festival which focuses more on vegetarian dishes with good options in non veg as well. As it was month of shravan we decided to try the veg dishes. I was completely unaware of this place until I got a ping from Ms Mokshada to visit this place to have a meal.

Starters & Chaat

There were several starters and Chaat dishes that we served on the table. My best picks from starters were Veg Dimsums which were served with 4 dips, Melting Mushroom which were deep fried mushroom balls stuffed with cheese in it, and Paneer Hare Mutter Ka Tikka which had Paneer cubes stuffed with finely chopped green peas stuffing.

From Chaat dishes I really loved the dahi wada which was nicely soaked and moist till the core topepd with fresh yogurt, tamrind chutney and spices, Bharwan Mirchi Chaat had long green chillis deep fried in flour batter and was topped with mint chutney and various spices was superb in taste.

Mains

The mains which had a huge spread than our expectations was also impressive, Namak Mandi ki Sabzi had assorted vegetables done in a medium spicy thick and flavorful gravy and Makkai Hariyali with Corn Fritters dipped in rich and cream spinach gravy were truly outstanding.

Desserts: The dessert spread had options of different mousse, cakes, Indian sweets, pudding’s and pie, it was indeed a sweet ending to our meal. The Honey walnut pie was one of the best which I have had. Baked rasgulla was hevenly in taste and was not too sweet.

Overall: Service was exceptional and the Staff was extremely polite and courteous. The entire team of Portico is well trained and the staff is also aware about the menu that is being served in the restaurant. A special mention to the hospitality by Ms Mokshada. I would also like to appreciate the head chef who was open to feedback and suggestions. While having the meal I did notice that he was taking feedback from the customers ensuring that the guest are happy and are truly enjoying the meal. With more than 100 plus options the buffet which is price at Rs 875 plus taxes is indeed a steal deal. Thanks a lot Team Sayaji...

It was our 25th wedding anniversary celebration. We had a lavish brunch here. The food, service and ambience was just amazing… loved it team portico. Thank you! APPETIZERS NON- VEG : HARA DHANIYA MURGH TIKKA GOSHT SHAMI KEBAB PRAWNS KOLIWADA DRUMS OF HEAVEN CHERMOULA FISH BITE APPETIZERS VEG : TOMATO AND CHEESE CROSTINI ASSORTED VEGETABLE SKEWERS HONEY CHILLI LOTUS VEGETABLE KOTHE STUFF ZAFRANI PANEER TIKKA SOUP COUNTER : CHICKEN CHOWDER SOUP WITH GNOCCHI PASTA VEGETABLE THUKPA SOUP CHEESE BAR : INTERNATIONAL CHEESE STATION CHEDDAR/ GOUDA/EMMENTAL/ PARMESAN / PROCESSED DRY FRUITS NUTS ACCOMPANIMENT HONEY/ MUSTARD/ WALNUT/ RAISIN

ANTIPASTI GRILLED BELL PEPPER ROASTED CARROTS GRILLED HARICOT BEANS BALSAMIC MARINATED CHERRY TOMATOES GRILLED ZUCCHINI FRIED AUBERGINE WITH FETA

SALADS

FUSILLI PASTA SALAD WITH OLIVE TAPENADE CHATPATA CHANA CHAAT MARINATED TOMATO SALAD WITH BASIL AND WALNUT RED WINE GLAZED PEARS WITH FETA AND ORANGE

MEDITERRANEAN MEZZE BAR : HAVUC TARTAR TATAJSKI HUMMUS PISTACHIO LEBANESE RAW BAR AND LETTUCE

MAIN COURSE : ROASTED CHICKEN WITH ROSE MERRY SAUCE FISH KATSU CURRY EGG GINGER FRIED RICE MUTTON SAOJI PANEER RAJWADI METHI PALAK KA SAAG SUBZ KADAI DAL TADKA PUNJABI KADHI PAKORA VEGETABLE PIE ORIENTAL VEGETABLE NOODLES EXOTIC VEG IN LEMON GARLIC SAUCE STEAMED RICE TAWA PULAO

INDIAN TANDOOR STATION : NAAN/ LACCHA PARATHA/ MISSI ROTI/ KULCHA/ GARLIC NAAN/ PUDINA PARATHA BIRYANI STATION BAR : BOMBAY MURGH DUM BIRYANI SUBZ SHAHI DUM BIRYANI BAINGAN KA SALAN LIVE- CHAAT COUNTER : CHAAT COUNTER- PANI PURI, DAHI PURI, SEV PURI, PAPDI CHAAT, RAJ KACHORI CHAAT, CHOLE TIKKI

LIVE- PIZZA COUNTER CONDIMENTS- ASSORTED VEGETABLE

LIVE- DIM SUM COUNTER CONDIMENTS- VEGETABLE AND NONVEG

LIVE- MALPUA COUNTER CONDIMENTS- RABDI, SAFFRON, NUTS

DESSERTS COUNTER : INDIAN DESSART ANJEER GULKAND RABDI KHEER KADAM BANARASI BURFI BAKED MIHIDANA (HOT) ROSE RASGULLA BALUSHAHI MAWA ORANGE ROLL SHAHI TUKDA MOTICHOOR LADOO CHOCOLATE KATLI (NO SUGAR ADDED)

DESSERTS COUNTER : RED VELVET PASTRY PISTACHIO COCONUT PASTRY BELGIUM HAZELNUT CAKE APPLE CINNAMON PIE CLASSIC MIX BERRY CHEESECAKE (WITH EGG) FRESH MANGO CAKE TRIPLE LAYERED PANNA COTTA DRY FRUIT CHOCOLATE KUNAFA NUTRAMENT CHOCOLATE OREO TIRAMISU FRESH FRUIT CUSTARD ORANGE MINI DOME SAFFRON BAKE YOGERT BREAD BUTTER PUDDING (HOT) (WITH EGG) SAGO PUDDING (NO...