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Address: 465, Ganesh Khind Road, Next to Pune Central 2, Shivaji Nagar, Akashvani Rashtriya Film Sangrahalay Quarters, Model Colony, Shivaji Nagar, Pune 411005 Maharashtra India
Time: 12 Noon to 3:30 PM, 7 PM to 11 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 1,000
Cuisines: South Indian
Facilities: Vegetarian Only, Full Bar Available, Outdoor Seating, Brunch, Valet Parking Available, Buffet
Primarily buffet-oriented, the pure-vegetarian restaurant focusses on delicacies from the four southern states of the country.
Southindies, Shivaji Nagar, Pune: DECOR
On the second floor of Park Plaza complex, the decor at Southindies is simple, but one that works, especially for a big family meal or an office lunch. With formal yet comfortable furnishings, the restaurant that enjoys plenty of natural light during lunch service is dimly lit in the evenings.
Southindies, Shivaji Nagar, Pune: FOOD
There is an a la carte menu as well, but the unlimited buffet covers about 50 per cent of dishes from the aforementioned menu plus other inclusions. If you opt for the buffet, the starters are brought to the table. Noteworthy appetizers include gunpowder-tossed podi idlis, and slices of colocasia roots coated in semolina and fried called rawa-fried arbi, both served hot. There is rasam puri, crisp golgappas made with cornflour filled with a spicy moong mash and served with four different types of rasam – mint, tomato, pineapple and tomato. An interesting appetizer, this will keep you occupied for a bit.
Some aspects of the buffet are well-planned, especially the accompaniments with options like curd chilli (chilli marinated in curd, sundried and fried), curry leaves chutney, gongurra (sorrel leaves) pickle and more. Compared to the starters, the mains are just about alright. The urulai roast, baby potatoes with dry roasted masalas lacked seasoning and the kai kari stew, usually a delicately spiced coconut stew, was watery and just sweet. The appams served with the dish didn’t impress either. Flat due to lack of proper fermentation, overtly sweetened and devoid of any sponginess that is associated with appams. Much better in comparison are the dosas as well as flaky Kerala parottas. Some redeeming mains include gongurra pappu, a lentil preparation from Andhra Pradesh with sorrel leaves and tur dal and a rich, thick kadamba sambar verdant with vegetables. The desserts, especially, the South Indian ones were also not up to the mark. The elaneer payasam here — a shot of tender coconut and watered-down condensed milk-is a decent drink but can’t be called a payasam (kheer). Fortunately, the filter coffee is strong and a good way to end the meal.
Southindies, Shivaji Nagar, Pune: PLUS AND MINUS
Southindies is a decent and value-for-money option to get a taste of a few South Indian specialties. However, like most buffet-centric restaurants, the mains don’t shine.
