Sarjaa Restaurant And Bar — Restaurant in Pune

Sarjaa Aundh, was one of the first restaurants I visited with my childhood friends from Kolhapur way back in 1997 when I joined then Telco . Those days Aundh wasn't so crowded and ITI road was relatively peaceful and the evenings were superb. It was around July . Excellent food ,Good ambience and my bosom buddie. Recipe of pure happiness.

Today after long time, perhaps post covid probably first time , I visited for lunch with my son. We were quickly seated as restaurant was sparsely filled. Captain joined us and post intresting conversation about menu we settled on Bhatti Da Murg ( Tandoori Chicken), Murg Mirchiwala (Chicken in Chilli gravy) , Butter Naan, Laccha Paratha.

Within ten minutes food arrived. First Green Chutney. Fresh mint chutney, thick with nice curd and chilli. Prepared well. Neither too spicey not spur. That's the risk during summer times. Half a Tandoori Chicken was served on a tiny platter with tandoori salad if julienned onion and tomatoes. Chicken was wee bit tinier but they have Tandorred it exceptionally well. The charred edges of chicken, the well roasted middle part and little left over Tandoor marination in the cuts taken for penetrations. Every portion was done well and had wafting burnt mild aroma , typical of Tandoori bhatti. Chicken was soft and tender. First bite and it took me back two and hald decades , perhaps we tried the same dish then. Some eateries have tremendous consistency in their cuisines. Chefs might have stayed on for long or the Kitchen has mastered the process so well that in spite of change of people core process remained same. Couplt bites, later I dipped in green chutney which accentuated the chicken. For next five to ten minutes my son and I were simply devouring the food with both hands . Excpet using fork to occasionally pick the salad . Nicely done..

Then the wait began for captain's recommendation. Chicken in Chilly gravy. The fiery red gravy first unnerved me. I thought this would upset my stomach and then the whole evening will be spent consuming tonnes of INO. But, appearances are deceiving, sometimes in a good way. Chicken was cooked very well. With bones and the gravy was spicy to the extent an average city dweller could tolerate. Nothing special with the gravy. To me it seemed like routine tomato, onion , ginger , garlic and perhaps some curd. But no cream to make it thick and subdur the pungency. Kashmiri Chilly powder does the trick. It imparts a red hot hue to the gravy while the taste is palatable. Laccha Paratha was thick with many layers , my favourite after plain roti. It relaly went well. Simple accompaniment of an onion and lemon salad was really nice. Onions looked white rather than pink or red and probably vinegered. But not sure. They neither had strong odour nor hard hitting taste to it. Plain , cool and good crunchiness.

I was told in 1997 about Lata Didi owning the restaurant. Perhaps in partnership. She had the greatest voice in her line of work. Each song she rendered satiated a craving soul in love, happines or distress. Sarjaa did the same to us . Father - Son duo. Fed us well with good good and extreme good service. Prices are towards north, but the locality and the history of hotel demands it. I won't crib about it. Thank you...

Food should if not always give you nostalgia and bring back happy memories, that is what good food and a good restaurant should do and this is exactly what Sarjaa has done for me and many others since the last 25 years .. Being one of the first restaurants in Aundh, it does not need an introduction and has been serving fabulous food for decades. People who have lived in this area have visited and ordered from Sarjaa for ages and swear by the quality and taste. Though Sarjaa does have a revamped look, most of the menu still remains the same especially the famous butter chicken, but they also have a new menu increasing the choice of dishes and cuisines you can choose from.

We ordered the following which hands down were the best .

Drinks - Being a huge sangria fan myself I was a little curious on the special Sangria menu that was placed on our table and wanted to go ahead and try a few, I was not disappointed at all cause the Sangrias we're unique and well made.

🌺Lemon spiced sangria - a light flavour of spices infused into the wine 🌺Pear mint sangria - sweetness of the pear seeping into the wine 🌺Rubio sangria - tiny beads of fruit adding to the flavor of this one

For appetizers we ordered the following

🌺Kharda kosla kombdi - a lovely spicy chicken with the marination of Kharda not for the weak tummy ones ( like myself) 🌺Dhaniya cheese ke chapete - topping my list this cheesy and cripy snack was my favorite with a hint of the coriander not too empowering the tikki 🌺Jhinga tawa- clean well done tasty prawns with a rich marination 🌺Murg cheese tikka - cheese and chicken what can go wrong with that, tasty & creamy

The marinations were on point for every dish

Mains

🌺Butter chicken - the king of the dinner and always the best one , not sweet and incredibly yummy with every bite , creamy and tasty to go best with ur butter naan 🌺Gosht Rogan josh - the gosht was tender well cooked , a tasty gravy perfect with your rotis or bhakris or also with steamed rice 🌺Mallu macchi curry with Neer Dosa - A very beautiful light south indian fish curry coupled with neer dosa, the perfect meal for two and can be had with sticky rice too 🌺Mutton kheema - mutton kheema is always the best soul food especially with your butter roti and this one was no different , well cooked kheema , rich in taste 🌺Kori Roti + chicken curry - this is again one of my favorite soul foods, simple ,creamy chicken curry with crispy kori roti the combination of soft creamy with crispy kori roti is always exciting

Deserts

🌺Gulab jamun -"GULAB JAMUN" - The coveted king of Indian sweets 🤩...that dinner made your tummy full??? nahhh you'll still have place for some gulab jamun. Soft yummy and extremely tasty 🌺Malai kulfi - This was an in-house kulfi , surprise surprise it was incredibly light, not too sweet or nor too creamy just a perfect desert after a heavy meal

A great place for family and now that they have a full day cafe you can come hang with your friends too… You will also find a great host in Mr. Tarun who saw to it that we all had a good time and...

Sarja Restaurant in Aundh is not just another dining spot, but a living tribute to the legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar. This place holds a special place in the hearts of Pune locals and Lata Mangeshkar fans alike, as it’s managed by the Mangeshkar family and reflects her legacy in multiple ways. From the moment you step inside, there’s an air of nostalgia, with Lata Mangeshkar’s melodious voice filling the atmosphere—her songs are played continuously, keeping her memory alive through music.

One of the standout features of Sarja is the huge signature of Lata Mangeshkar prominently displayed on one of the walls. It's a significant piece of decor that brings together the musical and cultural essence of her contribution to Indian music. This unique element elevates the ambiance, making the restaurant more than just a place to eat—it's a place where you can feel connected to the legendary artist.

The interior is comfortable, warm, and perfect for a family outing. It feels like a combination of a modern eatery with the soulful charm of a vintage restaurant, which resonates with Lataji’s timeless music playing in the background.

Sarja Restaurant offers a wide range of cuisines, from traditional Indian dishes to some international favorites. The food is known for its authentic flavors and homely feel, with generous portions and rich tastes that truly satisfy. Their special Maharashtrian dishes are worth trying, especially the seafood and local delicacies.

The service is smooth and attentive, with a valet parking option available, ensuring hassle-free access even during peak hours. The staff is courteous and quick to assist, enhancing the overall experience.

One of the great conveniences of Sarja is its valet parking service. Given the restaurant’s popularity, parking in Aundh can sometimes be a challenge, but the valet service takes away that stress, making your visit all the more comfortable and enjoyable.

Dining at Sarja feels like an experience steeped in history and legacy. It’s not just about the food; it’s about being surrounded by the essence of Lata Mangeshkar—through her songs, her signature, and the very management by her family. If you’re a fan of Lataji or simply looking for a soulful dining experience in Pune, Sarja Restaurant is an absolute must-visit.

The combination of music, delicious food, and great service makes it a legendary place that has stood the...