The Square — Restaurant in Pune

Some meals are so satisfying. Dishes that tickle our taste buds, identify the richness, mild yet tangy enough .. traditional yet diverse.. and more.

I was lucky enough to enjoy Assamese food last night Assam cuisine boosts of fresh local produce - vegetables, herbs and abundance of fish and meat. The rich soil grows Bhut Jolokia chilly, Ginger, Elephant ear, Bamboo, Bananas not to forget that Assam is a heaven for non veg lover’s.. pork, fish, mutton ,duck etc

Monjeeta is cooking up a storm, recreating food that speaks volumes about it’s traditions and culture.

I began with Starters : #Chicken_in_black til : different yet tasteful.

#Spinach_flitters : crunchy munchy yummy Both fingerlicking good.

The mains begins with a stomach cleanser called #Khaar. Ginger, raw papaya, pulses, taro and banana peel ash are the main ingredients. I tasted a Khaar made with cucumber, pink masoor Dal, cooked in mustard oil. I called it my comfort food and it’s to be eaten with rice. This is the first course. I helped myself to some Rohar Dal from the veg section which was simple.

Second course is usually the meat. A thick rich gravy with indian spices and juicy pieces of mutton. #Mutton_curry was #Delicious.

The four pitika are Simple dishes but a big hit. These are siders that are eaten with the mains. They break the monotony of a certain tastes and are essentially taste bud cleansers .

#Alu_pitika was made with mashed potatoes, raw cut onions, green chillies and fresh corriander mixed well with cold mustard oil. #Bengna/baigan_Poora had roasted eggplant, and the same ingredients mentioned above. #Pineapple_Tok steamed pieces of pineapple with panch phodan(5spices) in mustard oil. Delicious #Bilani_Poora made with roasted plum tomatoes, skin removed and mixed with ingredients similar to baigan Poora.

The final dish is the tangy and sour tasting #MaasurTenga. Today’s was tomatoes and lemon that add sourness to the fish curry. This thin curry was mind-blowing.

#Sweets Rice Kheer: creamy thick rice Kheer, mildly sweet. Lots of dry fruits.

Gaja: Similar like a Balushai , sweet and rich.

Rasgulla : melt in your mouth. Delicious

Nariyal Laroo : soft, sweet and terrific ladoo

Black til Laroo : similar taste like a til ka ladoo with less Jagger.

Being a Sunday night, each and every table was occupied. The buffet has continental, indian and the Assamese counters. However this was popular as one had to stand in line for refill. I take a bow , Monjeeta has outdone herself. A talented chef, good host and spokesperson representing her state. Kiddos..May more success come her way always! The food festival is on and Punekari very much within limits. Have a look at...

I had the pleasure of attending the Awadhi festival at Novotel Pune, and I must say, it was an incredible experience! The decorations transported me to the rich and vibrant culture of Awadh. The moment I walked in, I was greeted with a spread of mouthwatering dishes that had my taste buds dancing with joy.

Starting with the soup and starters, the flavors were simply delightful. The hummus breads, nachos, cheese balls, and noodles were absolute favorites. But the chaats were the real showstopper - bursting with tangy and savory flavors that were impossible to resist.

Moving on to the main course, both the vegetarian and non-vegetarian options were equally impressive. Each dish was prepared with utmost care and authenticity. The variety of flavors and textures kept me coming back for more. And I must mention, the presentation was exquisite, making the dining experience even more delightful.

Last, but certainly not least, was the dessert spread. The desserts stole my heart with their heavenly tastes and beautiful presentation. From traditional Indian sweets to delectable pastries, every bite was pure bliss. I couldn't resist trying everything, and it's safe to say I left with a satisfied sweet tooth.

The Awadhi festival at Novotel Pune exceeded all my expectations. The attention to detail, the quality of the food, and the warm and friendly service made it a truly memorable experience. If you're a food lover or someone looking for an authentic taste of Awadhi cuisine, this festival is an absolute must-visit. You won't be...

Visited The Square at Novotel recently for their Onam Lunch. It was a Lavish buffet comprising of regular dishes as well as special Kerala style dishes like thoran, , chicken stew etc

Live Appam counter served hot appam with veg as well as chicken stew . Stew tasted average though.

Dosa counter had varieties of dosa with chutneys and podi

kerala parotta counter with chicken kheema was good Fusion dishes were delicious. Loved the fish chilli , mushroom pepper fry.

Snacks like banana chips , rose cookies etc were fresh & delicious

Lemon rice was good but what was missing was plain rice since that pairs best with rasam , parippu , gravies, pappadam etc They had aaloo papdi chaat ., a variety of salads too.

There were 2 drinks , one was spicy buttermilk based and the other one was lemon and ginger based. Both were refreshing

The best part were the coconut based exotic desserts . A feast for the eyes, couldn’t stop myself from clicking pictures. Every dessert was a piece of art

The ambience is undoubtedly amazing. Very spacious and well lit restaurant The arrangements were amazing and the taste was good too.

Would definitely love to visit again to try their regular dishes since those looked...