This year summer begins with a fresh new entrant in pune food scenes with Spice Culture - considering its cool breezy ambiance. Located in the heart of NIBM its one of the few places in that vicinity that is perfect for a family outing midst all the cafes and bars Its spacious with both indoor and outdoor seating done quite aesthetically. The outdoor seating boasts a calm tropical feel with its canopies and palm trees. The indoors have been designed in a quite colorful manner with textured walls, wooden chairs and tables.Overall a seating capacity of 100- 150 people.
Tala Ghost - One of the finest Mutton starters I''ve ever had this season. A rich masala smudged around succulent chunks of mutton. Fried caramelized onions are such an important part of the dish contributing to the sweet smoky flavor juxtaposing the level of spiciness.
Talwar Chicken Cheese Kebab- The most instagrammable dish of all. This was generous amounts of cheese stuffed in grilled tandoor presented in a royal stand with seekh that represents a talwar. #MustHave
Prawns kurkure - Could never think of prawns presented in such a beautiful manner. Poha crusted prawns rolled in Papad inside a small glass thats surrounded with a salad of cabbage, mustard seeds and fried lentils. Quite crispy and delicious. Full marks to the presentation.#MustTry
Til Tandoori Jhinga - As the name goes this was crispy tandoored prawns with roasted sesame sprinkled all over.Quite a delight to relish and savor. The addition of sesame seeds was a great idea. Again the presentation was a absolutely amazing with prawns upside down on a base of round sliced tomatoes.#Reccomended_for_Prawn_Lovers Malaysian curry - My favorite out of all, Don't dare miss this if your into oriental stuff.This had an exotic aroma that would excite you into the dish even before you taste it. Flat noodles in a soulfull coconut gravy with the scent of lemongrass. #Extremlydelicious #HighlyRecommended
Kofta Makhanwala - Wen a vegetarian gravy looks like butter chicken you know its gonna be great. Quite a subtle taste with a soft creamy texture.
Desserts- After a long time I had this dessert called "#Khubani_ka_Meetha" which is made of dried Apricot as the main ingredient with Kewra, almonds and cream. A famous Hyderabadi dessert, available at very few restaurants in Pune. These guys totally nailed this royal dessert with all the texture and taste that was bang on.
Caramel Custard - One of the best caramel custards in pune. Cooked perfectly with an smooth texture dissolving in your mouth. I can keep coming back to spice culture specially for this. #MustHave Apart from this we also had Sizzling Brownie and Sizzling apple pie with Ice cream both equally good.
To sum it all, the place looks very promising with it's efficiency in presenting both Oriental and Indian sub divided into Maharashtrian style and Hyderabadi style. The Chef seems to be a perfectionist in multicusine balancing different flavours and cusines.Also the spacious and cool ambience is perfect for hosting small parties or events.( Yet to get thier Liquor license) The staff is friendly and energetic. They are on their toes to invent, explore and recreate the best to please thier customers is what I could make out from the little discussion that we had with the owner MR Sumit Sharma and the...
Read moreYears ago, when it had opened, this was a delightful neighbourhood joint with a peaceful, vibrant, welcoming vibe. We visited again today after a long time and were in for a shock. The server, Abhijit Kamble, was extraordinarily rude, opinionated and sarcastic. All stellar traits for the hospitality industry... Not.
The achari paneer tikka was nice, as was the garlic naan. Their 'special' gulnahaar kofta and off-menu cheese masala naan were average, but undewhelming at best. The service was really a shock. I've never been 'instructed' by a server on the correct order to eat a meal, and despite clearly stating repeatedly that we would prefer to eat our starter alongside the entree and naan, he brought the starter out first.
Ok, no biggie, we were just here to have a quiet lunch. He served us. And either because I'm a woman, or because he got a message from the divine, he decided that I need to be served significantly less than my partner. Wage equality might be a distant dream for my fellow women, bit I really thought we didn't have to fight for paneer tikka equality. I was wrong, we do.
The main course arrived in due course after a few gentle prods. And you guessed right, my guy got 2 koftas while I was worthy of only one, and one lay desolately in the bowl. This wouldn't be an issue were it not riding on the back of the Great Tikka Inequity of 2021. This level of masochism is rare in this day and age.
But that's not all that's rare. In today's polite and varnished world, Mr Kamble is an exception. When we asked for the bill, we clearly departed from his ideal order. This couldn't be. We were still eating and we had the audacity to ask for the check? We had to ask thrice. He was shocked thrice over. Eventually, he asked sarcastically, "jaldi hai kya?". I don't imagine any situation when snarkiness is a good tone, but this has to be one of the worst.
We had had it. We raised a stink. The manager was courteous, despite this unique server basically adopting a strategy of 'talk to the manager louder than the guest'. When he was finally able to talk to us, he heard out our concerns and assured us that he would address these concerns. We aren't sure if it's even possible to teach this kind of basic courtesy, but all the very best of luck to him; he needs it.
We know for a fact we will not be coming back. It's a pity because we have brought a lot of friends over back when the food and ambience were good and the dining experience didn't involve hoping that our server would allow us to eat what we want to eat, when we want to eat...
Read moreSpice Culture Bar and Kitchen is a hidden gem nestled in the heart of the city. From the moment you step through the doors, you are greeted with warmth and hospitality by the incredible staff. Their passion for food and dedication to customer service truly sets them apart.
One of the standout dishes at Spice Culture Bar and Kitchen is their biryani. It is a culinary masterpiece that will transport your taste buds to a whole new level. The fragrant aroma of the spices fills the air as you eagerly anticipate the first bite. Each grain of rice is perfectly cooked and infused with the rich flavors of the spices. The tender meat, whether it's chicken, lamb, or shrimp, is marinated to perfection and adds an extra dimension of deliciousness to the dish. The biryani is served with a side of cooling raita, which balances out the spiciness and complements the flavors perfectly.
But it's not just the biryani that makes Spice Culture Bar and Kitchen exceptional; it's the entire dining experience. The staff goes above and beyond to ensure that you have a memorable time. They are attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu, always ready to offer recommendations or answer any questions you may have. The warm and inviting ambiance of the restaurant creates the perfect setting for a cozy meal or a lively gathering with friends and family.
Whether you're a fan of Indian cuisine or simply looking to explore new flavors, Spice Culture Bar and Kitchen is a must-visit. Their outstanding biryani and exceptional staff make it a true culinary delight. Prepare to indulge in a dining experience that will leave you...
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