ITP Indian Travel Places: Food, Travel, Tourism Business Events and Trade Shows
Address: 1195/2C, Next to Tukaram Paduka Mandir, Sud Nagar, FC Road, Pune
Time: 12 Noon to 1 AM
Meals for two: Rs. 1,300
Cuisines: Continental, North Indian, Italian, Mediterranean, European
Facilities: Full Bar Available, Live Sports Screening, Nightlife, Smoking Area, Valet Parking Available, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining Area Available, Wifi
Culture Pune, a relatively new bar on FC Road, scores well with its location and ambience, but the food and drinks (cocktails) sing another tune.
Culture Pune, FC Road, Pune: DECOR
Bare, unfinished walls, assorted furniture, and dimly lit, Culture follows the diktat that was once the go-to decor mantra for most bars. However, the setting is comforting and makes for a good spot to catch up for a drink or two.
Culture Pune, FC Road, Pune: FOOD
Once you find yourself a table, it’s difficult to score one without a waiting post 8.30 pm, its best recommended you stick to your favorite spirit and some bar snacks. The khakra with cheese – store bought khakra with unevenly melted cheese, might not be very innovative but makes for a decent bar snack. The banjo, their take on the popular runny egg sandwich, isn’t served runny here. Sandwiched between burger buns, the fried egg layered with a generous slather of masala salsa, and red thecha on the side makes for a good bite.
Another hit on the table was the paneer tikka sophiyani. Delicately spiced, the soft paneer tikkas were definitely one of the high lights of the evening. The not-so-favorable dishes included a saccharine teriyaki chicken, and the rawa tawa bombil fry, which could have been enjoyable if you didn’t have to chew your way through the thick fortress of rawa coating to get to the fish. It didn’t help that the dip served with it tasted stale. The Indian kheema lasagne-spicy, cheesy and filling -is a good dish to line your tummy for a night of revelry. The rum mousse shot, doused generously with the said spirit, is avoidable.
Culture Pune, FC Road, Pune: PLUS AND MINUS
The place definitely has a good buzz. While the food was a case of hit and miss, the cocktails we tried – malai wali whisky (whiskey and Irish cream liqueur), Tulsibaug (muskmelon, vodka, very subtle hints of basil) and Barbados sunset (different types of rum with orange juice) – were all disappointing.
