Here’s the dope on the Mumbai establishments that will open up in the city this year
The last couple of years marked the beginning of homegrown Pune food and drink talent making its way to the big city of Mumbai, and holding its own. Players like Terttulia, Doolally, etc found a place in the hearts of the Mumbai crowd with their offerings. The distance between the two metros only grew shorter. On the other hand, 2016 marked a recursion to the languid practice of earlier decades (establishments like Moshe’s and more have migrated here since long), but at a rather accelerated pace – major brands from Mumbai seem to once more have trained their eye on the burgeoning Pune market, and some exciting changes lie in store for local gourmands.
For instance, in the year gone by, the last quarter saw the entry of the big daddy of modern bistro dining, Indigo Deli, consolidating a spot in Phoenix Market City, Viman Nagar. A menu of stunning daily specials bursting with freshness, a long list of breakfast delights and a powerpacked cocktail menu follow in its wake. Shared Anurag Katriar, executive director and CEO of deGustibus Hospitality that owns this establishment, “Pune is a far more evolved market now than what it was years ago. The emergence of IT and manufacturing sectors here has attracted lots of expats and professionals from all over India – well-travelled, discerning and with a disposable income, they create a very robust, new market for us. Plus, the proximity helps in administrative management for Mumbai-centred companies, and this seems to be the right time to make a foray into Pune. I believe this trend will see significant acceleration in coming years.”
And, that’s not all. Right opposite in the same mall are whispers of a “Social” coming up, a chain that has found popularity in places from Delhi’s Hauz Khas to Mumbai’s Colaba and Khar. Meanwhile, not far in Koregaon Park, a building in the busy Lane 7 – which has seen a slew of new restaurants come up this year – will play new home to Bandra joint, The Sassy Spoon. And, if the menu of the Mumbai counterpart is anything to go by, expect the likes of Emmental souffles, pulled pork pois, all manner of allday breakfast items, and more. Owner Rachel Goenka told Mirror, “Pune has always been a fascinating market when it comes to restaurants, set apart by its eclectic palette and gourmands who take their food seriously. In fact, we have also chosen Pune to launch Baraza, our new bar concept, given the thirst for creative cocktails and bar bites this city is famous for.” The bar concept is a first for the management, and should be up at Ishanya Mall in coming weeks.
With big changes slated to take place in the city’s restaurant scene just in the first few months of the year, all we can do now is brace ourselves for bigger and better culinary satisfaction in 2017.
