Malaka Spice — Restaurant in Pune

The Hallmark of any great organization is that it will continuously strive to improve, innovate, take impartial customer feedback, never try to manipulate scores and ratings to present a rosy picture to the outside world when things inside may not be so good.

Malaka Spice to me is the epitome of customer service simply because of the way they engage their patrons and work closely with customers to ensure that nothing but the best makes it to the Malaka Menu. If they encounter a negative review or a constructive review, they always try a service recovery without threatening the person sharing the experience with lawsuits and defamation suits , neither do they go about threatening to shut down the blogger community or asking them to get any certification to share their experiences. They have always believed in the co-existence of patrons and restaurants and in the genuine process of working on customer feedback.

My first #foodtasting invite from Malaka almost 3 years ago was an honor and many many tasting sessions later, the latest invite for the winter menu tasting still brought a smile and a feeling of pride.

A Malaka Spice food tasting is unlike any other typical food tasting where the endeavor is not your feedback but the eyeballs you can grab for the restaurant through your blogs/Instagram/Zomato/Facebook followers. They're the only place who give you a pen and paper along with a printed menu for feedback during a tasting and then calibrate amongst themselves basis your feedback a day later. They're also the only place that lets you interact with the staff.

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The Winter Menu is designed keeping in mind the natural human behavior of looking for warmth in cooler climates, therefore we were not surprised to find grills and smoked meats along with some soul comforting soups and curries on the menu.

The Gaeng Som Soup was a Chicken Broth soup with the tang of tamarind, it immediately tickled the throat and flushed down the irritating cough. The Korean Fish Cake Soup had beautiful chunks of fish in an extremely flavorful broth. Both the soups would be amazing during the winter chill of Pune.

Among the Salads, the Roasted Duck Salad and the Korean Green Salad were outstanding with crunchy farm fresh vegetables.

The Banh Trang Nuong - Chicken and The Banh Trang Nuong - Prawns didn’t work for me because the description said they were Vietnamese Grilled Rice Paper Pizzas but when the final dish came, they were more of crepes or rolls. Also felt under-seasoned. Also the mind is conditioned to expect a commercial looking pizza rather than a roll or a crepe. Maybe re-branding the dish and re-launching it as a Vietnamese Paper Roll might work.

The Clay Oven Roasted Duck was inconsistent but The Grilled Chicken and Korean Fire Chicken were spot on though with the right char and were grilled to perfection.

Cambodian Tribal Clay Pot Cola Chicken was an intriguing dish with an interesting history of how it was conceived to impress guests by cooking chicken in Coca Cola (A luxury in those days) in a Clay Pot. The glaze on the chicken was beautiful and the meat was cooked perfectly.

The Vietnamese Grilled Snapper was a sight to behold and the accompanying sauce was fantastic. The size of the fish was bigger than my palm and the meat was flaky and soft. Loved this.

The Cambodian char grilled lamb ribs had the signature touch and perfection of Lamb Chops of Malaka and the Jakarta Spicy Mud Crab also stood out for preserving the sanctity of crab meat while adding flavors that complement.

In the desserts, the Key Lime Pie and Chocolate Baked Cheese Cake were tried and tested recipes.

Most ingredients in Malaka Spice are sourced from Cherish Farm where they grow food organically. Even the wood used in the grills like Tamarind, AMba, Babul and Mulberry were sourced from the farm. Each wood brings its own flavor to the meat being grilled.

The Winter Menu is available in Koregaon Park and Baner...

My recent escapade to Malaka Spice was a whirlwind of impressions that I'm eager to share. The restaurant's enchanting ambiance provides the perfect backdrop for a romantic rendezvous or a relaxing evening. The serene outdoor seating area, meticulously maintained and inviting, offers a touch of tranquility. However, the allure of the experience was marred slightly by the foggy fish tank, a small detail that could have been easily rectified. On a brighter note, the inclusion of a dedicated kids' table showcases their thoughtfulness towards families.

The true stars of the establishment are undoubtedly the staff. Their genuine warmth and impeccable appearance lend an air of sophistication to the dining experience. Regrettably, this charm didn't extend to the washroom, which was plagued by an unpleasant odor and an inconvenient location.

Turning to the culinary journey, my companions and I indulged in the buffet, intrigued by its changing menu every week. Pricing was a bit perplexing; while the 699 option was advertised, it was allegedly unavailable during our visit. Consequently, we opted for the 899 package that included beverages. Speaking of drinks, the sangria emerged as the hero with a flawless 10/10 rating. In contrast, the strawberry-infused mojito proved overly sweet, earning a 2/10, while the classic mojito struck the perfect balance with full marks.

Culinary exploration revealed a treasure trove of flavors. The vegetarian starters delighted the palate with their bold and vibrant taste profiles. However, the non-vegetarian counterparts left something to be desired. The chicken dish suffered from an overpowering egg batter, overshadowing the intended flavors. A similar fate befell the fish preparation due to an excess of egg wash. While the green curry was commendable, the rice fell short, garnering a modest 4/10. Unfortunately, the Singaporean noodles failed to impress, deserving of a disappointing 0/10. Amidst these ups and downs, the roti and vegetable stir-fry stood out as highlights, as did the chicken lemon dish, despite my uncertainty about its exact name.

A sweet ending awaited us in the form of a classic brownie with ice cream. While the combination was pleasant, I couldn't help but yearn for a warmer and denser brownie.

In conclusion, Malaka Spice offers an alluring ambiance and attentive staff. However, there are some aspects, like the unwelcoming washroom and inconsistent culinary execution, that need refinement. If you're curious, it's certainly worth a visit; however, based on my experience, I'm content with a single exploration. The mix of highs and lows makes a return visit less...

"Malaka Spice: Where Expats Reign Supreme & Locals are Mere Mortals" - Preferential Treatment

"My recent dinner at Malaka Spice was a soul-crushing experience. The once-vibrant energy, the meticulous attention to detail, the sense of genuine warmth – all seemed to have vanished.

Instead, I witnessed a disturbing display of preferential treatment. While expats were fawned over, showered with compliments, and offered personalized recommendations, locals like myself were largely ignored. We felt like invisible beings, mere afterthoughts in a room full of 'important' guests.

"Ah, Malaka Spice. Once a haven for the soul, now a playground for privileged palates. My recent dinner was a jarring reminder that this once-beloved institution has lost its way.

Gone are the days of warm hospitality and genuine care. Instead, we were met with a chilling display of preferential treatment. The staff, it seemed, had undergone a crash course in 'Expat Etiquette,' showering them with attention while locals like myself were relegated to the sidelines.

The food, once a symphony of flavors, now plays a discordant tune. The magic that once infused each dish seems to have evaporated, leaving behind a pale imitation of its former glory. But perhaps the most disheartening aspect is the loss of soul.

Malaka Spice used to be an experience, a journey for the senses. Now, it's just another restaurant, albeit one with a higher cover charge and a blatant disregard for its loyal patrons.

It's a tragedy, really. A once-great institution, reduced to a mere shadow of its former self. Farewell, Malaka Spice. I shall mourn the loss of your soul elsewhere.

Malaka Spice was once a sanctuary, a place where the food and the ambiance transported you to another realm. Now, it's just another restaurant, albeit a pretentious one, where the focus seems to be on impressing the 'right' clientele rather than providing a truly memorable dining experience.

It's a tragic fall from grace. A reminder that even the most beloved institutions can succumb to the allure of superficiality and the pursuit of fleeting trends. Farewell, Malaka Spice. I shall seek solace in the kitchens of those who still understand the true meaning of hospitality.

It breaks my heart to write these heavy words, but I've to be honest what has changed here which...