Casablanca Cafe — Restaurant in Pune

Feel Proud to be @ Pride

As an utter Food Enthusiast and a Pro Food Appraiser, I decided to visit Pune’s one of the Oldest Hotels @ Shivaji Nagar to taste and test F&B items, so consequently got in touch with Dinesh, the RM who was exceedingly considerate and courteous as he suggested me to be in the Restaurant before 3 PM anytime.

I did have an idea about Pride that has an immense positive and pleasant status and standing with its steadfast guests. It was without doubt full to its occupancy that was so very much evident by its completely packed parking.

My arrival was straight away well supported by Hotel Valet and the vehicle was taken care of. The moment I entered its Lobby, the Lobby Manager was there to greet and be the guide.

Casablanca is not so very sizeable, spacious but dining tables are well placed, tender adequate room to enjoy space to yourself and have enough extent in between for the diners to walk around at ease. Having uncomplicated yet stylish luxurious interiors, Casablanca has sufficient natural light that all together make your dining event more amusing and enjoyable. The Buffet Spread is a fusion of Indian and Continental Menu Items excluding a Fresh Salad Bar and a Dessert Station decked up with some remarkable items.

What I appreciated exceptionally was when Dinesh face-to-face informed about slender stoppage in the setting up of the Spread and in the meantime had something scrumptious to offer. And this pleasant methodology must be followed by each and every reputed F&B Outlets that somehow remains missing more often.

The starters were incredible that were brought straight to the table - well spiced, cooked so very tenderly that the original taste and flavour had remained intact. Soups were marvellous, creamy in texture with no Starch, well spiced and maintained exact and accurate temperature. As we all are aware of the fact that since Salads do not give off smells, their arrangement does the real magic and increase our appetite with their assorted colourful blend, the “Create Your Own Salad” was superb and splendid.

Chef Subhajit had prepared two Signature Dishes that need added appraisal without any doubt. Special Preparations included as a Non Vegetarian version - Herbs Crushed Roasted Sea Bass with Chives & Lemon Grass Butter and Fish was replaced by Fresh Paneer as its Vegetarian Version. The main ingredients were succulent, juicy and very soft with amazing flavour that was well presented on blanched leaves of Spinach. Added accompaniment especially Grilled Potatoes were crisp yet soft and had tasted delectable. The overall effect and impact was undoubtedly amazing.

I do avoid sweets if and when possible but got tempted to try at least Gajjar Ka Halwa that had yellowish colour instead of red. Perceptibly, red carrots from the North (seasonal) were not used. Halwa was far-fetched and so was Shahi Tukda. Tiny bread pieces were crunchy and crispy sans presence of oil and Rabri was RABRI not merely thickened milk. I simply loved it.

The Meal at last ended with refreshing cappuccino that was served at right temperature. Did I mention earlier that Cappuccino was developed by Italians but was originally initiated in Austria?

I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to Chef Subhajit and his team in the production area for making some implausible and improbable food items and also the entire Service Team in the Dining area primarily Dinesh Rautela (RM), Prachi, Priyanka, Paul and Gaurav for their exceptional service skills and well-mannered professional approach towards their diners.

I could very well notice that the entire Dining Room was full to its capacity in no time and the Service Team had shown excellent professionalism. The first and foremost rule is that diners who are coming a bit later must not see soiled dishes (appetite killer), tables must look neat and clean including the Buffet Spread Area. And the rule was being followed brilliantly.

I may return in next to no time… you give it a try in...

Casablanca is a fine dining restaurant located right in the middle of the city hosted by The Pride Hotel. Located on the ground floor, you will surely be charmed by its elegant ambience and seating. You have an option of choosing a buffet or ordering from the A-la-carte menu. As soon as you take a seat, you will be offered a welcome drink from a pool of three different juices.

Welcome Drink - I started with my favourite LYCHEE WATER which was refreshingly sweet and packed a nice punch of the fruit.

Salads - Casablanca also emphasises on eating healthier keeping a wide range of salads in the buffet. There's grilled eggplants, mushrooms, baby corns, french beans, chicken and much more. I tried the Egg salsa which was unique and the salsa was amazing and the combination of boiled egg and salsa was delectable.

Appetisers - I had options to choose from both - the vegetarian as well as the non-vegetarian section. I tried PANEER TIKKA, BARBEQUE COTTAGE CHEESE, HARA BHARA KEBAB, FISH TIKKA and CHICKEN TIKKA. I loved the Hara Bhara Kebab which was really delectable and the mint chutney just enhanced the flavor. I am not a fan of barbeque sauce as it is sweet and garlicky and the Barbecue cottage cheese couldn't impress me much. But, if you are an ardent of barbeque sauce, then you will definitely love this. The paneer tikka served here was a sophisticated version as it was mildly spiced and the bell pepper added to its taste. The fish was nicely cooked and fish tikka was adequately marinated and packed some enriching flavors. The chicken tikka, too, was amazing and ticked all the basic points. The service here is prompt and one of the best I have ever seen.

Mains - There were around 13 options in the mains out of which only 3 were non-vegetarian. I tried the STEAMED FISH IN SOYA GINGER SAUCE and GOSHT ADRAKI. The steamed fish was a little overcooked but it was covered up by the delicious broth and the overall combination was lip smacking. The curry of the gosht adraki had a nice consistency and the ginger was well infused in the curry. It wasn't too overpowering and even the gosht was so well cooked and the flavors were properly infused in it. Also, I loved the HING JEERA ALOO MUTTER which was like a comfort dish and had a homely taste. I also ordered a GOSHT BIRYANI from their A-la-carte menu and it was really relishing. It wasn't one of those oily and over spiced and that was the best thing about it. It packed some solid flavors and the mutton was so nicely blended with the biryani rice. I ended my meal with this and I was really fascinated about it.

Desserts - There were more than ten dessert entities and I had a STRAWBERRY PHIRNI, PINEAPPLE TART, MOONG DAL HALWA and a RABDI. The tart had a nice crisp and was extremely delicate just as it should be. It had a cherry over it with adequate amount of cream in the tart. The strawberry phirni had a great consistency and the fruit flavor wasn't too overpowering but it came out with a great flavor. The moong dal halwa too was great and it had adequate ghee in it. The rabdi was outstanding and it wasn't too sweet but was relishing and if I wasn't so full already, I would have kept on having it.

Overall, there's a lot to choose from in this huge buffet, but it has limited non-vegetarian options. But, the meat here is really well cooked and the chefs know what they are doing with it and I am particularly impressed by the way they cook mutton. There are some minor areas to improve upon but they can overcome it in a jiffy. One more outstanding thing about CASABLANCA is their hospitality and they know how to cater to the customers. Casablanca has ensured that you have a complete fine dining experience and they will do anything to make sure that you don't leave...

A very pleasant experience.

I went in for their afternoon buffet. They also have an al-a-carte menu. If I am not mistaken, buffet is available only in the afternoon. The moment we walked in, the restaurant manager showed us around the buffet spread, had us seated, served us some hot soup, and explained/answered our queries; thoroughly pleased with the attention. Great ambiance. Not too crowded, which felt good.

The spread consists of a Fish gravy, Chicken gravy, Noodles, Chinese Chicken gravy, an Hors d'oeuvre, three types of vegetables, dal, rice. Veg. and non-Veg. soups were also available. Starters are served on the table with couple of Veg. items, a Fish item, and a Chicken item. Bread are also made according to order and served directly on the table; a suggestion---try their wheat Tawa Paratha (simply otherworldly). A separate spread of variety of sweets, salads, fruits, and dressings are also available. Almost all of the food was quality and tasty.

The buffet is 1000 pp. plus taxes. Although they have few offers running around time and again, especially for special occasions. The serving and managing staff was attentive and courteous.

They also have special Sunday brunch, which I will try some day.

I am actually surprised to see a 4-ish aggregate rating for this outlet. Perhaps not many people consider visiting (or are aware of) restaurants that are part of hotels. Needs to change.

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