From the moment I landed myself on the plush seat of the swanky big black beauty , I knew I will have to own it ! The voguish four wheel drive has given me such a high that no amount of sparkling wine or any count of tequila shots can transcend its effect or even come close to it ! Back to the reality, that snobbish Montero became part of my friends elite fleet ! I was honored to test drive and give it a thumbs up before we set out to have a gala treat at Great Punjab! by btw darlings , Montero will have to wait for its review until I own it ! ………………. Well the review is about this lovely restaurant at Koregaon Park , Pune!
When it comes to eating out, my first few thoughts do a quick mental evaluation of the restaurant versus my kids! .. Simple to silly things all have to be considered…like…enough space for them to prance around….no visibly dangerous sharp nooks and corners….no growsy looking waiters….proximity to my home…Great Punjab did well on all the above grounds and went a step ahead by setting itself as a benchmark for all future gastronomic ventures of Singh family !
Ok waiting out side is not a very happening idea when you are all decked up, so best is to book in advance… though we had to wait for around 15 minutes at the corridor which is again sufficiently decorated and cushioned! We were 5 adults and 6 kids in total ! The manager, Pavan Jyot SIngh Gandhi (quite a handsome dude…) alloted a set of long corner tables! We are a boisterous lot of bindaas souls and would laugh loud enough to deafen any one’s music! ..music there was a soft ghazal number ….which was soon overpowered by our crooning glories !
The seats are a little low especially the fixed sofas , but are a good safe place for kids to be seated or standing or even jumping to the point of my embarrassment !
There is a typical ethnic idea delivered in the most chic and modern style. SO as I was trying to read the names on the painting , which happen to be in tiny to medium , acrylic on canvas…I was thrilled to find the name “Pravas”. He is my good friend who can create beauty out of any junk ! He did a great job with Great Punjab!
There is smoking and non smoking areas demarcated by a very interesting partition! There is also a mezzanine level in case one wants to throw a small private party for Rs 450/- per head. The waiters were friendly and trained ! My kids were busy with them, and that was quite a bliss!
We ordered “Reshmi Kabab (Rs 180/-) , Hariyali chicken Kebab (Rs 180/-) for the starters! Thankfully we had asked for two of entrees, as the number of peices is quite less! My kiddos, relished on non spicy reshmi kebab without any fuss ! (fuss is only wrt eating ….the jumping on the sofa, the dropping of spoons and forks on the floor, the craft class with the napkins , the snatching of stirrers,the spilling of juices, the unabashed poem singing competition….are many others that we have to bear with always….hence not to blame Gr8 Punjab for this at all)! We had great time sipping on very presentable cocktails and mocktails from Tequila Sunrise 300, to Zingy Margarita (RS 300/-) to Bloody Mary (RS 210/-) to the silent Pinnacolada (Rs300/-)!
My son always has to touch the plates and approve of its warmth, before we can proceed to be served! So after having crossed that hurdle, we started with the main course…. Punjab and No Butter chicken …bahut naainsaafi hai… but thankfully they have termed it as “Chicken Makkhanwala” (Rs190/-) ! Its was after a good long time that I had tasted authentic butter chicken, but “Kaake Daa Dhaaba” at CP in Delhi is yet to be beaten! Mutton Kaalimiri (Rs200/-) with its rich white gravy was soooooooooooo juicy and soft ….I am again in trance ….with each bite ….. ummmmmmm …. Chicken Peshawari (Rs190/-) was the only dish which was spicy as per our choice…its dark rick red gravy….heavenly aroma… again I m lost… Butter garlic nan , tawa roti, lachca paratha were disappearing no sooner they flew from chef’s tandoor on to our plates…! My kids who seem to be hardcore followers of Atkin’s diet, were eating butter nan dipped in chicken makkhanwala ! A mother’s dream come true ! ( !……..from that hours of running around, coaxing , screaming….this was a bliss …!).
A restaurant is all that its head chef is ! The consultant chef for this chain is Ravi Pal Singh Gandhi. The Pune branch started dishing out food in 2003, but he first branch was started in 1981at Bandra, Mumbai by Harpal Singh Gandhi ! See the web site http://www.thegreatpunjab.com/ for more information !
Valet parking , which is a plus point and a must in Koregaon park is thankfully at your service! The contact details The Great Punjab, 5, Jewel Towers, Lane No. 5, Off North Main Road, Koregaon Park, Pune- 411 001, Phone: 26145060/30932023. 2003 /21 /oct Timing 12:00pm – 3:00pm and 7:00pm – 11:00 pm
Thanks Great Punjab for serving puneites one of the most authentic, mouth-watering,
love at first bite food !
