German Bakery

German Bakery - Koregaon Park, Pune

The German Bakery on North Main Road at Koregaon Park is the (hippiest) original and most popular go-to place for exotic, healthy, organic type of food. Its usually packed and chock-full of all types of people .. young wanna-bes who have just discovered Koregaon Park, college kids with KP as their regular hang out place, foreign tourists staying at the Osho Ashram, clustered groups of people who want to sit and chat for long periods of time while enjoying inexpensive good food and people who just want to enjoy the various healthy eating options that the German Bakery offers. Many patrons are from the nearby Osho Ashram .. people from various (mostly western) countries .. who were too young in the 70s and thus missed out on their hippy dream.

Its more of a sit-down place than any other .. a sort of makeshift restaurant .. which you feel .. someday will get converted into a proper one .. but it has stayed that way for a long time .. and perhaps its better that way. The German Bakery offers a lazy sort of atmosphere .. where you really want to take a drag on your marijuana cigarette stare out in nothingness and sip your masala chai .. and I dare say many people would be doing just that.. and thats why smoking is prohibited.

Food is good .. a lot of fresh juices are on offer with some very interesting combinations [ABC - Apple Beet Carrot, Papaya lassi]. Also on the menu are different types of herbal teas, also their famous masala chai, a few appetizing omelettes, sandwiches and a good variety of pies, desserts and sundry treats. This is the place where I had my first avocado .. long back when I was a little kid .. and thats what I always remember it for.

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

Kayani Bakery

Kayani Bakery - East Street (Camp), Pune

Kayani Bakery is a landmark in Pune. Its a bakery started in the 50s by a family emigrated from Iran. They make select products, in select quantities (and so the products are routinely sold out long before the customers stop asking about them), are closed during the afternoon and are also closed on Sundays. On top of it buying something at Kayani is not one of the pleasanter experiences in life. [Prime culprits - crowd, customer service]. So I must say the Iranian owners have completely adjusted into the Puneri style of shopkeeping. [why make an attempt at improving customer service when the food we prepare is so good that the customers line up outside our door even before we open for the day?]

Everything apart, Kayani consistently offers baked goods of outstanding quality and taste. They offer delectable Shrewsbury, Nankhatai, Cheese papdi, Ginger biscuits, Butter biscuits, Wine biscuits, Mawa cake, Plain cake, Sponge cake, Choco-Walnut cake and a whole range of breads. The best way to eat the famous Shrewsbury is to heat them up a bit and just dampen them with a sprinkling milk and take large bites, savoring the taste, texture and smell. The cocolate-walnut cake is pretty good too .. with ample pieces of walnut .. I love dunking it in a cup of strong coffee.

Customers queue outside (before they open for the day) to get the fresh warm batch of Shrewsbury in the morning. The rest of the day witnesses complete chaos in Kayani .. with the hassled workers taking orders from a crowd of customers bordering on rowdiness. You have to jostle forward, making good use of your elbows, grab the attention of the dour Kayani employees - it helps if you are a strikingly beautiful lady, filthy rich (and looking it) or the Shah of Iran. Then - know your order .. if you hesitate they will move on to someone else who knows what they want. While they swiftly pack and box your order .. have the money ready .. pay and move out much to the consternation of others who think they were there before you and should have been taken care of first.

Enjoy.
Sigh. Now I feel like having a Shrewsbury.

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

Just Baked

Just Baked - D P Road, Pune

Just Baked offers baked goods of incomparable quality. Its located right opposite Madhuban on Dhole Patil Road. Desserts dominate the scene here, and I always have trouble choosing what I want. Everything just seems so delicious. They also offer various breads - multigrain, garlic, croissants etc. and a range of sandwiches. Mostly anything with chocolate in it is good. I find the butterscotch too sweet for my taste, but the Pineapple pastry is just right. The pastries and desserts are on the pricier side with most desserts hovering around the Rs 90 - 95 range. Seating is upstairs and is comfortable, albeit with a ridiculously low ceiling.
I hate it that they don’t offer any water for free. Are these kind of places - where you have to buy water increasing in Pune? If you want water - you have to buy a bottle. I find this practice very inconsiderate, rude and snobbish.

Recommended: Death by chocolate, Choco Mocha pie, frappuccino.

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