The Great Punjab

The Great Punjab - Koregaon Park, Pune

If ever you wish to be utterly satisfied in every aspect of a meal .. do pay a visit to the Great Punjab, off North Main Rd in Koregaon Park. And if you are not satisfied .. I will refund your money with a smile happily. [i.e. I will give you a smile in return].

The place itself is not a big thing .. but the decor is inviting and the service is courteous. Theres not much parking for the restaurant itself, but we didn't have any problems finding space in the adjoining lane. The valet seemed disappointed that we chose to park it ourselves.

Its pretty expensive, but well worth it. I am having a hard time these days figuring out what is expensive and whats not. Everybody around me seems to be spending hundreds of rupees per head on meals and finding it quite okay. Nowadays I generally draw the line at Rs 200/head for a good meal .. anything beyond that is 'expensive'. Or maybe I am just out of touch with todays prices.

The Great Punjab gets it right in every aspect. The ambiance of the place is great .. suitable for families as well as couples, and probably professionals too. Being situated in Koregaon Park has its advantages .. namely that you get a varied clientèle, which nearly always appreciates upscale places. They promptly serve you with .. this is what I liked most .. jaggery and molten ghee! It was a delight eating the tup-gul [ghee-jagerry] with their warm rotis. And they gladly refilled it again and again. Quite a refreshing concept and very Indian to boot.

We had some fenugreek-chicken kakabs, butter-chicken, sarso ka saag (with the waiter heaping spoonfuls of ghee on top of it), and a variety of naan/parathas followed by rice and daal tadka. Every dish was excellent, but I particularly remember the kababs and the ghee with jaggery. The kababs were perfect .. succulent, tasty and hot with just the right amount of spice.

Overall the pinch came to about Rs 300+/head (no desserts, we were 4). A price .. I realize.. one wouldn't hesitate to pay these days for a very satisfying meal.

Food: ***** Ambiance: **** Price: $$$
Last visited: mid-2007