Address: Ground Floor, Nyati Unitree, Nagar Road, Yerwada, Pune, Maharashtra 411006
Time: 12 Noon to 1 AM
Meals for two: Rs. 1,000
Cuisines: American, Thai, North Indian, Chinese
Facilities: Outdoor Seating, Wifi, Valet Parking Available, Smoking Area, Live Sports Screening
Just over two months old, Pandora, a restaurant in Yerwada, is definitely worth exploring.
Pandora Gastronomy & Bar, Yerawada, Pune: DECOR
Centrally located on the Yerwada main road in a commercial building is the welcoming Pandora. A mix of seating options (high tables and regular ones); there is plenty of space here, be it on the first floor, inside or outdoors. If you’re seated outside in the evenings,mosquitoes can be a bit of a problem.
Pandora Gastronomy & Bar, Yerawada, Pune: FOOD
There is molecular gastronomy at play, but there are dishes on the menu that shine without tricks and foams. The Masala Chicken Liver Pate, a cold appetizer where the spiced chicken liver paste is topped with a sweet pineapple chutney and tart balsamic jelly is a good take on the regular ol’ pate.There are multiple fusion dishes on offer. Most of them work. Like the Aloo Kachaloo Poppers, where the street food staple is deep fried and served like arancini; the Salli Boti Tarts where the Parsi mutton dish is served in a bite-sized crumbly tart shell and is topped with thin matchstick-like potato wafers and a batter-fried chilli.
Other interesting appetizers include the delicious Mushroom & Truffle Naan, chopped mushrooms sauteed with herbs stuffed in a naan and served with a lip-smacking tomato and sesame aioli with a lingering after spice kick. If you prefer seafood, and have to order just one dish – get the Crisp Soft Shell Crabs. Tempura-fried crisp crabs and dusted liberally with South Indian curry powder, this one is the perfect bar snack. There were a few glitches. Especially with dishes that involved meat. The Chilli Barbecue Spare Ribs bowled with the absolutely delish barbecue and chilli glaze. Definitely worth licking off the meat, but the pork was chewy. The Chettinad Confit Duck served with idiyapam, again was spot on in terms of the masala, but the duck had a funky aftertaste. If you want to order a safe main,get the Teppanyaki Bowl with Tofu. A simple fried rice served with tofu or chicken, it’s comfort in a bowl.Do have the desserts here. Phyllo-pastry rolls filled with gajar ka halwa, and served with a cream cheese ice cream with cardamom dust, this one is absolutely delicious. The Japanese Cloud, their take on a baked cheesecake is good as well.
Pandora Gastronomy & Bar, Yerawada, Pune: PLUS AND MINUS
Most of the dishes impress, it’s presented beautifully. The wait staff is polite and attentive. I wish the quality of the meat preparations were better.