Pune Event Listings

Check out the events happening all over Pune; select the ones that suit your mood

BURGER & BEER FEST @ COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT PUNE CITY CENTRE

It’s burger & beer time at Courtyard by Marriott Pune City Centre. As the world celebrates Oktoberfest, every burger gets you a beer complimentary! Tuck into juicy burgers like Grilled Asian Burger, Prawn Tempura Burger, BBQ Cottage Cheese Burger, Spicy Mexican Bean Burger, Tenderloin Burger and more. 

WHEN:  September 29 – October 12, 2015

WHERE: MoMo Cafe, Courtyard by Marriott Pune City Centre, Bund Garden Road

PRICE: INR 425 plus taxes and above

CALL: +91 20 67248250 

OKTOBERFEST @ FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON, PUNE

It’s Oktoberfest time at Four Points by Sheraton Pune. Sip on Erdinger beer and relish a Oktoberfest dishes like Chicken Bratwurst, Potato Pancake with Cheese & Chives, Beer Roast Chicken, and Oktoberfest Strude! Get a selection of international beers at Panash, The Eatery, Best Brews and Alfresco Beyond the Eatery.  

WHEN: September 26 – October 4, 2015

 WHERE: Four Points by Sheraton Pune 

CALL: 7709006688 / 02030931031

THE TIGRIS TRAIL @ THE WESTIN PUNE KOREGAON PARK

Be ready to visit Seasonal Tastes at The Westin Pune Koregaon Park as they bring the eclectic flavours from around the Tigris River, mainly Turkey, Syria & Iran. Dig into the zingy flavours of Mediterranean cuisine & its delicacies until October 11. Be there to enjoy a truly epicurean dining experience. 

WHEN: Till October 11, 2015

WHERE: Seasonal Tastes, Westin Pune Koregaon Park

FOR RESERVATION, CALL: 9158882124 or email Taste.westinpune@westin.com 

SIGNATURE ITALIAN GRILLS @ JW MARRIOTT HOTEL PUNE

Head to Alto Vino – the Italian restaurant at JW Marriott Hotel Pune for its ‘Italian Grills Festival’. Feast on grilled delicacies with the finest collection of wines. Starters include Prosciutto Di Parma, Focaccia Al Rosmarino , Carne Like Costine Di Molale, Poletto Alla Birra and Pesce like Salmone Scozzese and Spigola Chilena. Also choose from the A la Carte menu by Italian Expat Chef Christian Huber.

WHEN: Till September 27, 2015

WHERE: Alto Vino, JW Marriott Hotel Pune, SB Road

TIMING: 7.30 PM Onwards

FOR RESERVATIONS, CALL:  91 20 66833333

For events listings, email details & photos to sapnasarfarejournalist@gmail.com 

Pune Event Listings

Check out the events happening all over Pune; select the ones that suit your mood

GANESH CHATURTHI CELEBRATIONS @ KHANDANI RAJDHANI!

The city has started celebrations for Ganesh Chaturthi’. At Khandani Rajdhani, they are serving unlimited Modaks like Ukadiche Modak; Mawa Modak along with their thali to those who come to dine on the 10^th day (Visarjan). Relish these Modaks along with Rajdhani’s signature thali dishes!

WHEN: September 27, 2015

WHERE: Khandani Rajdhani

BAKE LIKE A MASTER CHEF @ HYATT PUNE KALYANI NAGAR

Hyatt Pune Kalyani Nagar returns with Baking Master Class. Chef Parag Kandarkar & team will share secrets of baking morning bakery treats. They will reveal how to create fresh croissants, Danish pastries, hard rolls and soft rolls to pair with your morning coffee, or any continental main courses.

WHEN: September 19, 2015

WHERE: Eighty Eight, Hyatt Pune Kalyani Nagar

TIMING: 3 PM – 6 PM

PRICING: Rs. 1000 All Inclusive 

FOR RESERVATIONS, CALL: +91 7798889653 / 20 4141 1234 

PUNE EXPAT CLUB’S GANESH FESTIVAL WALK

Pune Expat Club will conduct a unique Ganesh Festival walk for its members. It is open to other

expats in the city too. Get to cover all major Ganpati mandals in city area with five experienced guides who will share information about the ancient city area/Ganesh Festival.

WHEN: September 22, 2015

WHERE: From Shaniwar Wada to Vishrambaug Wada

TIMING: Starts at 5 PM & Ends at 8 PM

FOR RESERVATIONS, CALL: +91 8390900602 / 9881337405 / 020 41315002

CRACK THE RUMMIKUB CHALLENGE

Be ready as Funskool India Ltd has organised an exciting Rummikub National Championship across 6 cities in India. Winner heads to participate in the Rummikub World Championship in Berlin, Germany in November 2015. Participation is open to all.

WHEN: September 19, 2015

WHERE: Crossword Book Store, Phoenix Marketcity, Viman Nagar

Age: 7 Yrs & above

TIMING:  3 PM Onwards

FOR INFORMATION, CALL MR. SHISHIR: 020 66033050 / 9619814587 / 8983350003

FRIDAY NIGHT WITH FIDDLECRAFT @ BOTTLEROCK – RESTAURANT & LOUNGE

Catch Pune-based band Fiddlecraft at BottleRock – Restaurant & Lounge this Friday. Known to experiment in various genres, from blues to electronic music, the band includes Gaurav Kadu (vocals), Narayanan (percussion), Atul Massey (base guitar) & Akshay More (lead guitar).

WHEN: September 18, 2015 

WHERE: Bottlerock - Restro & Lounge, Sus-Pashan Road 

TIMING: Gates Open at 7 PM 

FOR INFORMATION, CALL: 9860512714 

For events listings, email details & photos to sapnasarfarejournalist@gmail.com. The listings page appears every Wednesday/Thursday.

Guppy Pop Up at Olive Bristo

Head to Pune’s Olive Bristo for Guppy Pop Up – an unusual food offering which is the interpretation of Japanese cuisines & flavours created by Chef Vikram Khatri.

Guppy Signature Pork Belly

Trust Olive Bristo in Pune to come up with a food twist with a difference. After a successful run in its Mumbai outlet, Guppy Pop Up – an unusual food offering – comes to the Pune Olive Bistro. Brand Olive owned by AD Singh has always been on the forefront of interesting food offering. Guppy Pop Up seems no different. However, a word of caution – if you want to try Japanese food with a twist or already love the cuisine, coming to Olive Bistro is an interesting option.

Chicken Karaage

Created by well-known chef, Chef Vikram Khatri, Guppy Pop Up is his interpretation of Japanese cuisines and flavours along with the elements of cooking – harmony, tradition, wisdom and balance. It is his take on contemporary Japanese food. So expect some tradition with modern drama.

Some interesting starts were Avocado, Cucumber & Cream Cheese Rolls that though mild, might interest the ones who prefer such tastes. There is the California Rolls, which again will find takers in the mild tastes. One can really gobble Chicken Karaage, which can safely be called Japanese style bhajis. With mildly flavoured coating, it is scrumptious and can be eaten with some interested dips served. Do try the Chilli Garlic, which is soybean, served in the said flavouring in a similar fashion as if you would eat boiled peas with its outer covering on. It can be addictive and goes well with the drinks. 

Chilli Garlic

A different version of steamed soybeans is Edamame Sea Salt (sea salts coating) which again is tempting. The Tiger Prawn Tempura particularly tempts those looking for authentic Japanese flavours with light batter and neatly fried. I found the Spicy Tuna Roll to be just about okay and taste more like ordinary Tuna Roll. An interesting entrée dish was Prawn Gyoza, which are pan-fried Japanese dumplings. Well-cooked prawns in a light coating just makes you want to eat it forever. The Japanese Vegetable Roll, which is on the lines of Sushi, is an acquired taste. However, the winner here happens to be Guppy Signature Pork Belly, which is succulent pork belly in a special sauce. You just cannot stop at once.

I loved the delicate texture & flavour of Garlic Fried Rice, which one could eat just like that. All

Chashu Ramen Shoyu

vegetarians could coolly eat the Crisp Vegetable Harumaki, which are Japanese style spring rolls. Try the Chashu Ramen Shoyu – one of the commonest types of clear ramen soup flavoured with soy sauce, which comes with slices of pork (Chashu). In the rains, this would be the perfect option, as it is filling and mildly flavoured. One could also opt for Miso Soup made from softened Miso paste & dashi. Also, try out Teriyaki Glazed Tofu & Asparagus, Rock Corn Tempura, Grilled Chicken Breast, Grilled Asparagus & Rocket Salad, Exotic Teppanyaki Vegetables and Exotic Mushroom & Asparagus Gyoza.

If in the temper to up your mood, try the special cocktails for this occasion – Tatami Cocktail, Sakura Martini, Gary Gary Kun, British Invasion, Wasabi Mary and Bamboo Leaf Martini. The last option is probably the best one to go Japanese. For your sweet tooth, you can try Warm Carrot Cake, Macaroon, Brownie or Insanity Cake Slice.

Visit Olive Bristo Pune for The Guppy pop up, until October 30, 2015.

Wasabi Mary

WHERE: Olive Bistro, Poona Club, Bund Garden Road 

WHEN: Till October 30, 2015

Timings: 7 PM – 11 PM

For Reservations, Call: 9730068533 

Pune Event Listings

Check out the events happening all over Pune & select the ones that suit your mood

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE WITH EMPTY CAFÉ 

@ BOTTLEROCK - RESTRO & LOUNGE

Get to hear the band Empty Café – fusion of two cultures & genres of music. It includes Gandhaar Amin on Indian bamboo flute & vocals and Vinay Kaushal on guitars & vocals. Striving to create a new image for ‘fusion music’, catch the talented band at Bottlerock - Restro & Lounge for Friday Night Live. 

WHERE: Bottlerock - Restro & Lounge, Sus-Pashan Road 

WHEN: Friday, 11th September, 2015 

TIMING: Gates Open : 7:00 PM 

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT: 9860512714 

EXQUISITE GANESHA IDOLS & SCULPTURES 

@ SATGURU’S ART GALLERY, PUNE 

Witness an exhibition of traditional & modern fusion of artwork only at Satguru’s. Catch an exhibition of Ganesh Idols & Sculptures. Some impeccable exhibited work include Sanket Mochan throne Ganesha made out of brass & precious stones, Moon Ganesha Collection and the Signature Collection Ganesha.   

WHERE: Satguru’s Art Gallery, 362 Satguru Center , Bund Garden Road 

WHEN: Till September 16, 2015

MEXICAN DELIGHTS 

@ COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT PUNE CHAKAN

Go all Mexican with delights from the land of tequila at Courtyard by Marriott Pune City Chakan. Treat your taste buds to the flavours of authentic Mexican cuisine. Try delicacies like tacos, cornbread, burritos, fajitas, quesadillas, nachos and salsa and more, along with some delicious margaritas.

WHERE: MoMo Cafe, Courtyard by Marriott Pune Chakan

WHEN: Till September 11, 2015

PRICE: INR 850+taxes

CONTACT: 9923753744

SIZZLERS AT BEST BREWS 

BY FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON PUNE

Go ahead & relish a week of sizzling platters at Best Brews by Four Points by Sheraton Pune. Enjoy sizzlers with great ambience, along with selection of local & international beers. Sample delicious sizzlers like Chicken, Tenderloin, Seafood plus, Cottage Cheese, Shashlik & Veg Medallion with varied sauces. This is coupled with unlimited entertainment! 

WHEN: Till September 12

WHERE: Best Brews, Four Points by Sheraton, Pune

TIMING: From 8 PM onwards

FOR RESERVATIONS, CONTACT: 7066846813, 7709006688

BALALAIKA & FUZE LIVE BANDS

 @ PHOENIX MARKETCITY PUNE

Set your weekend to enjoyment mode with live band performance at Phoenix Marketcity Pune. Groove to popular music numbers of all genres with Balalaika - The Metal Core Band and FUZE. BALALAIKA is an experimental Hindi rock band, while Fuze form a beautiful mélange of music on similar note. 

WHERE: East Court, Phoenix Marketcity (Pune), Nagar Road

WHEN: Balalaika - The Metal Core Band – September 12, 2015

              Fuze – September 13, 205

TIMING: 6 PM Onwards 

EXCITING SOFA CARNIVAL BY FURNITECH 

@ HOUSL!FE AT ISHANYA

Be ready to go for a unique sofa carnival at Housl!fe at Ishanya. It displays 100+ sofa designs and

400+ fabric variety. The main attraction will be sofas & recliner collection from designer brands. Also, get the exclusive opportunity to consult team of experts on sofa & fabric aspects.

WHERE: Arcade 3, housl!fe, Ishanya, Opp. Golf Course, Off Airport Road, Yerwada

WHEN: September 12-26, 2015

TIMING: 11 AM onwards

CONTACT: 40004001

B ME!! (BEAUTIFUL ME) - BEAUTY FESTIVAL 

@ PHOENIX MARKETCITY

Phoenix Marketcity Pune organizes a unique sculpture exhibition – a beauty fest titled B Me!! (Beautiful ME) that displays people’s eternal craving to look beautiful. Check out sculptures by artist Loknath Sinha and one by Artist Rai David. 

WHERE: Phoenix Marketcity (Pune), Nagar Road, Vimannagar

WHEN: Friday to Sunday – till 13th September, 2015

TIMING: 11.30 AM – 10 PM 

SPORTS SCREENING 

AT BEST BREWS BY FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON PUNE

 Catch up with friends over international beers & special cocktails. Head this September & October to enjoy major sporting events screened at the Best Brews Lounge Bar, Four Points by Sheraton Pune. Relish promotional drinks like Smoked Cocktails, Herb Infused Cocktails, Hot Cocktails, International Flavored Beer, etc!

TIMELINE & PRICING

·         Common Wealth Games (Samoa)

DATE: September 5-12, 2015

PROMOTION: Smoked Cocktails

PRICE: Rs. 399 

·         Rugby (England)

DATE: September 18-October 31, 2015

PROMOTION: Herb Infused Cocktails

PRICE: Rs. 499 

·         Cycling (Road Championship, USA)

DATE: September 19-27

PROMOTION: Hot Cocktails

PRICE: Rs. 699 

·         Australian Football League (Grand Finals, Australia)

DATE: October 3, 2015

PROMOTION: Whisky Sour Week

PRICE: Rs. 399 

·         6^th CISM Summer Military World games (South Korea)

DATE: October 1-11, 2015  

PROMOTION: International Flavored Beer

PRICE: Rs. 499 

·         Gymnastics World Championship (Artistic, UK)

DATE: October 23-November 1, 2015

PROMOTION: Flavored Daiquiri Week

PRICE: Rs. 499 

CONTACT: 7709006688, 7066846813

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Something Veg & Interesting!

Check the special vegetarian fare at Kangan, the all Indian and quite impressive restaurant of The Westin Pune Koregaon Park

Some places make you want to visit it with pleasure... always. If it’s food, then the pleasure gets an extra sumptuous touch. Kangan, the Indian restaurant at The Westin Koregaon Park Pune, is the place one wants to be and have delicious Indian food. And a few weeks back, it has done an interesting jump by introducing a vegetarian special to already popular menu. And it was just to experience some vegetarian delights that I went to taste it one charming evening with a good friend for company.

Though much has been written about the ambience of the restaurant, I wish to throw some light on it.
Low lights enough to see the appetising meals and comfortable sitting makes you want to relax. Not to large not to small... it is the perfect size and you are not privy to other people’s conversations. Service too is apt considering the kind of restaurant and hotel Kangan & The Westin is respectively. Polite and attentive are the two adjectives apt for their work.

Our main focus is the food which turned out to be quite an interesting spread. The vegetarian spread was the highlight here. One of the first things to greet us was the Bitter Gourd Chips with Fig Chutney Relish. Bitter Gourd or Karela has to be one of the misunderstood vegetables but courtesy the chef, it turned out to be quite a treat. The crisp coating of a bhaji went well with the Karela slices which had its bitterness toned down. Of course, the tangy fig chutney completely made it a must eat.

The other rather interesting item on the menu had to be the Tandoori Artichoke. Yes, you heard it right! Tandoori marinade applied to this phoren vegetable is an acquired taste. You might like it or you will just pass it. Either way, you might want to just try it just once. 

I loved the soft Masala Garlic Naan which just well went on its own or with your main course. Even the other varities offered from the regular menu became winners. It was quite disappointing to find the Arbi Ke Tukde served with Saunth Relish and Sabj Tarkash Ke Seeth to be just about okay in taste. Paneer lovers might find the Nazboo Paneer Lababdar to be quite decently tempting. Paneer in special masala (not too much thankfully) gets your attention.

The winner of the veg fare has to be Kangan’s prized Dal Makhni which is a well-cooked kali dal in cream. The outcome is a delicate dal which melts in your mouth to leave a light creamy taste like no other. Do end the meal with the lip-smacking Gulab Patte Ki Kheer which literally is kheer with gulkand flavour in it. But it is delicately sweet which might appease even the most finicky sweet enthusiast.

The exclusive and innovative vegetarian offers are limited but not something which should be

avoided. I have mentioned just a few names from the list. The overwhelming chances of your liking it are higher. Plus, you can mix it with the regular ala carte menu offered at the restaurant. Going to Kangan, the all Indian restaurant at The Westin Pune Koregaon Park, would be quite an option to be differently vegetarian.

Photos: Sapna Sarfare

Play Review: One on One 2

Watching Rage Production’s One on One 2 is like watching 9 different lives & realistic moments squeezed in one play. The play is a winner. 

Neil Bhoopalam

I went with misgivings and came out with a smile & potfull of memories. Spending an evening watching 9 monologues was not something I counted for. But I was so wrong. Rage Productions came up with One on One 2, after the first part. The format is simple – different realistic situations narrated via monologues. I was much relived to see some good writing and acting. You see actors Rajit Kapur, Sumeet Vyas, Anu Menon, Vrajesh Hirjee, Hussain Dalal, Neil Bhoopalam, Shikha Talsania, Gopal Datt and Zafar Karachiwala play characters, while Rajit Kapur, Rahul DaCunha, Nadir Khan, Sumeet Vyas, Ashish Jagtiani, Akarsh Khurana, Ayesha Menon, Faezeh Jalali and Hussain Dalal. 

The plots are simple but leave a mark. Anu Menon gives a small peek into the life of a mother

Anu Menon

stressing with her children and domestic life.  Vrajesh Hirjee is a NRI Gujju from USA explaining his unusual bride finding journey in the plane. Rajit Kapur attends his physiotherapist’s funeral that has died in the Nepal avalanche and the arduous journey to get his body amidst red-tapism. Zafar Karachiwala plays a Sindhi real estate agent hit on hard times, but still raring to go. Gopal Datt as TC speaks about being a newbie TC in Indian Railways. Hussain Dalal & Sumeet Vyas are two soldiers on the Kashmir border speaking of the fruitlessness of war. Meet Neil Bhoopalam aka DJ Elvis who is attempting to make a name for himself, while Shikha Talsania is a bride who gets jitters on her marriage day. The finale has first-time producer Sumeet Vyas speak about the world of Bollywood.

It takes daring to create a real world on stage in pieces and let us see this world with a touch of poignancy and lot of humour. Full marks go to the writers who make you smile, smirk, tickle, silent and think at the same time. The language is mostly English with Gopal Datt’s piece in Hindi. The humour is both urbane, Indian and real. When the bride starts panicking, you are both laughing at the humorous chatter and connect with her. The directors make sure the writer’s world reaches you. The light & set design allows the free flow of the actors to portray the characters and tell the story.

Rajit Kapoor

The best part of One on One 2 has to be the actors. It is indeed tough to converse with the audience and act naturally as if you are the character. When Anu Menon runs around trying to handle things, you feel she is that mother. Rajit Kapur becomes the mourner who sees the pain. While Zafar Karachiwala falters a bit to create humour, the serious side does come out well. Vrajesh Hirjee & Gopal Datt are the winners when they play the young Gujju from US of A; TC respectively. Hussain Dalal & Sumeet Vyas as the soldiers caught in conflict are serenely superb; so is Shikha Talsania as a commitment phobic bride. In fact, she is another scene-stealer with her superb command over humour & character. Neil Bhoopalam is quite decent, but feel he is let down by mediocre writing. Sumeet Vyas brings out the producer’s crazy life with aplomb.

It is a pity that English or semi-Hinglish plays like these seem to be elitist. The concept, story, characters here are very much Indian and real. Rage Production’s One on One 2 is a must watch, if you want to laugh, smile, think about the situations around us. Try seeing it just once. Regret is not the word you will attach to this play after watching it.