next step with Misal

Alright, after Sanjeevani lets take a next step with this wonderful dish called "Misal" ... my next recommendation would be "Shree Misal" (to be pronounced as Sh -- ree). This joint has 3 branches in the city. This again is unusual to a typical Puneri business style. (mind you; Pune business men feel proud to put a board which says that "we have no branch else where"). So Shree has 3 branches. The main branch is dead in Sadashiv peth!! .... as you approach from Barrister Gadgil street to knock Shukrawar peth; at "T" joint one shall find Shree Misal ..... according to my wife, Shree Misal must be eaten only at this place .... which is original / head quarters!!

This misal will contain almost same ingredients of real Misal but it surely is high with spice and chilly.

Sabudana Khichadi is another most recommended of the place. Ambiance ..... lousy ... yes no kidding. It is old building. Very small place to seat on old wooden benches and a table in front. But taste ..... wonderful !! Try it.

Branches: one in Shaniwar peth another on Paud road.

Hygiene Level: 5 on scale 0 to 10 where 10 is best.

Carry your own bottled water since Shree Misal believes that in spite of all ratings there is no report of some one going ill by eating out there!!

Misal - the starting point

While we start this tasty journey my first recommendation will be to start with Misal. Misal is very very Pune special.

What does it contain?

basic ingredients are: sprouted local lentil "mataki" cooked well with watery gravy. Poha - pounded rice (something like corn flacks), "Farsan" & "Shev" - made up of "chana" lentil - deep fried, cooked potato, finely chopped onion, tomato.

Then a special additive called "tarri" !! this is the one would give amazing taste

A sprouted lentil Mataki will be found only in Puneri misal. Misal usually will be very spicy and hot .... it is expected to burn your tongue. The current should go up to the ears as you take first bite.

Alright; if you are trying it for the first time; request while ordering to serve you "tarri" separate. Tell them to serve you a dry misal and tarri in a separate bowl. Add it by your taste. A slice of bread will be wonderful.

To start with following are the places in Pune to try this tasty stuff. I am giving these names by ascending order of chilly !!

1. Sanjeevani - On Tilak road, Sadashiv peth, near Abhinav college of fine arts. This is diagonally opposite to famous Girija Pav Bhaji. This is a family run restaurant. Father and Mother cook the food. Son manages a job of waiter as well as handles counter, makes bills, collect money, etc.

Here misal is unusually tasty!! Restaurant offers only select 4 -5 items. Misal can be served with or with out bread and curd as per your choice. This misal will not be very spicy. At Sanjeevani after misal you can order butter milk .... again a specialty of the place.

Sanjeevani remains closed on Monday. Closes early in evening. Hygiene level is 8 on zero to ten scale where 10 is best. Ambiance is just simple. Only necessary objects like chair and table are placed. Owner might sound rude .... but that is again a Puneri specialty!!

Preface .... a little background for creating this blog

Few weeks ago, me and my wife were just bored and wanted to go out for some quick bite. Then my wife said, 'where do we go? we almost end up at same joint. Lets Google some thing new!!'

Google search gave us many names of restaurants and eateries. Surprisingly all were in east of Pune, i.e. camp and Koregaon park area. Blogs gave insight of almost same places and we also got information that these so called "Pune special eateries" were actually serving best of Chinese, Thai, Mexican, etc food. None of them were providing taste of real Puneri, (Pune's special) Marathi or Maharashtrian food.

If some one come from Europe, would he want to eat Thai food in India or would love to taste the local?

Of course; would love to try some thing new. And where is the information? Google again directs back to best Chinese or Thai available in Pune !!

That is where i found utmost urge to create a blog. Blog to give extensive information about the Puneri food i love. Eateries, my wife marks on hygiene scale, my friends strongly recommend or alert me for lousy food.

I am sure that not only foreign visitors but all would find information here very tasty!!