Feast — Restaurant in Pune

Feast, nothing great indeed

At 12:40 PM as you enter the dining room, you observe the head of the Dining Room (name censored) swiftly picking and placing something in his mouth from the Salad Station. Excuse Me!!! What an upsetting spectacle! Where are we?

Well… Till 1.00 PM the Head Chef (earlier with Hyatt - name censored) was eventful setting up the Buffet Spread. This was the case three weeks back also. Today again they were running late. 

When noticed and instantaneously informed about some Fish Item having Green Sign (marking for vegetarian item) on display the same Head Chef behind the counter instead of “apologising” or extending “thanks” shared his probable innovative idea of how is he going to mark veg and non-veg items in the near future. What about today, Sir? Is this specific Chef concerned about the consequences if in a 5 Star Hotel, a strict vegetarian happens to have a bite of something non-veg? Ask me!!! I may share with you at least 5 true episodes.

Today’s soups! I never ever take Cream of “Blah Blah” (Mushroom, Cauliflower, Vegetables etc.) as most of the time it is nothing but starch. I did sample a spoonful and it was not hot, just tepid, room temperatured and yes all Starch. Hot and Sour Chicken Soup had vegetables’ julienne resting in the bottom sans shredded chicken. Hahaha! By the way, could anyone please explicate what were consommé cups doing next to these two soups?

No Compound Salads at all! 

The Veg and Non-veg starters began around 1:30 PM. So what should they be termed? Starters or Middlers? We were the very first diners but no one ever came and asked if at all we wanted them! 

A few Indian Gravy Items not more than a spoonful were being taken for sheer tasting with the help of one specific F&B service personnel (name censored) and she didn’t bother asking if at all some Indian bread was wanted with them. And why would she? Was there anyone on Tandoor (the traditional oven)? The Head Chef was noticed making Tandoori Roti/Nan himself.

As I always request (Can we have… ?) for Fresh Lime Tea in the very beginning and Cappuccino at the end of the meal, this specific female F&B personnel forgets to understand the difference between “I” and “WE”. There are two diners and she gets one Lime Tea. While my partner is closely looking at the items placed on Dessert Section, the same Service Person says, “Excuse me!” and makes her way clear between the Dining Room and the Production Area. And my partner reacts instantly, “Oh! Sorry!!” Wow!!! A Service Person makes his/her guest apologise. And believe me you there is scarcely any rush but instead of taking a diversion of merely 10 steps, this specific service person rather disturbs a guest. 

And about the quality of food! OMG! Fried Mushroom Rice - left over white Rice browned with Soya Sauce with almost no mushrooms at all. Veg Kolhapuri that is supposed to be hot and spicy and tastes magnificent when cooked properly - it was just over spiced Vegetable Bharta (mashed mixed vegetables). Gosht was spicy again covered with Rogan. I love Jeera Aloo but what I tasted had no taste at all. There was hardly anything that could be termed - “yummy”.

A Diner even though he has been offered 25% discount by  Zomato or 20% by Marriott Membership… it was utter waste of his hard earned money.

One must comprehend the basic fact that 80% business comes from 20% of regular old guests. The Unit must sustain affable and amiable relationship with its old guests and put positive impact and effect on its new diners with their qualitative food...

Fit for the kings! I had wanted to go for a Sunday brunch since a long time and Feast was the perfect answer to my cravings! Set inside the Sheraton hotel, Pune, the surroundings are plush and the restaurant looks exquisite. The outer section has a kids area duly set up with bouncy castle, art and craft counter, zenga and many other games, making it the perfect afternoon for kids in tow! The buffet is expansive featuring a multi- cuisine spread which is tailored as per the festivals. I visited on Gudi Padwa and enjoyed a great spread of Puran Poli, Shrikhand puri, matki chi usal, batachi chi bhaji, katachi amti, masale bhat, alu chi wadi, kothimbir wadi, bakarwadi, papads along with other global dishes. The live counters came alive with Chinese wok and Italian pastas while the hand cart at the entrance promised to tickle my taste buds with pani puri and ragda pattice. Traditional drinks like solkadhi and kokum sarbat were a perfect answer to the scorching sun. You can also order mocktails and cold coffee. Salad counter included cous cous salad coupled with arabic dips like hummus, baba ghanoush, tahini and labbneh. Keeping with the ethos of the festival, the non-vegetarian dishes were arranged away from the main fare. For the mains, I tucked into a delectable portion of chicken biryani and mutton roganjosh and chicken tikka masala. The USP of this buffet is the dessert counter , which is always neatly arranged with the choicest of desserts from creamy cakes to decadent chocolate soufflés, gulab jamun and a plethora of ice creams. While my son enjoyed colouring and craft at the kids section, I sat back and relished this delicious fare to the company of live music! As dulcet sounds of the piano fell on my ear, I was sure convinced that it was indeed a fitting end to my weekend!

Priced at Rs 2500 plus taxes, this buffet is worth...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at the Sheraton Grand Pune during their ongoing Rajasthani food festival, and I must say, it was an experience that truly transported me to the vibrant land of Rajasthan.

The decor of the restaurant beautifully captured the essence of Rajasthan, with intricate tapestries, colorful accents, and traditional Rajasthani motifs adorning the space. From the moment I stepped in, I felt like I had been transported to the royal palaces of Jaipur.

But the highlight of my dining experience was undoubtedly the authentic Rajasthani cuisine that was on offer. The menu was a culinary journey through the flavors of Rajasthan, offering a wide variety of dishes that celebrated the rich and royal heritage of the state. From the spicy Lal Maas to the delectable Gatte ki Sabzi, each dish was a testament to the culinary excellence of Rajasthan.

However, it was the dessert spread that truly left me spellbound. The array of Rajasthani sweets, including the famous Ghewar and Malpua, was a treat for the senses. The flavors were rich, the textures were divine, and each bite was an explosion of sweetness that transported me to the vibrant streets of Jaipur.

And of course, how can I forget the classic Rajasthani delicacy - Dal Bati Churma. The combination of the flavorful lentil curry, the crispy baati, and the sweet churma was a match made in culinary heaven. It was the perfect blend of flavors and textures, and I couldn't get enough of it.

Overall, my visit to the Sheraton Grand Pune during their Rajasthani food festival was an incredible experience. From the exquisite decor to the authentic Rajasthani cuisine, everything was a testament to the rich culture and heritage of Rajasthan. If you're a food lover and want to indulge in the flavors and vibes of Rajasthan, then this festival is an...