VHC: Vida Heydari Contemporary, Koregaon Park, Pune

Restaurant Name: VHC: Vida Heydari Contemporary, Koregaon Park, Pune
Phone: +918530360888
Address: Unit 3, Marvel Alaina, Lane 8, Koregaon Park, Pune, Maharashtra 411001 India
Time: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 1,900
Cuisines: European, Italian, Continental, Desserts, Beverages
Facilities: Home Delivery, Takeaway Available, Full Bar Available, Indoor Seating, Table booking recommended, Desserts and Bakes, Outdoor Seating, Romantic Dining, Smoking Area

Pune restaurants have restarted dine-in services since last week, and are open till 10 pm. With both vaccine doses done, I ventured out for a relaxed brunch at Vida Heydari Contemporary. VHC combines an art gallery with a chic restaurant. It features a European menu curated by chef Ajay Chopra with founder and artist Vida Heydari.

VHC, Koregaon Park, Pune – Decor

VHC is situated in a lush, quiet corner of Koregaon Park. The alfresco restaurant space has been designed artistically. The contemporary monochromatic theme exudes charm. The burst of greenery from the natural canopy and the manicured wall garden creates a beautiful contrast to the black, white, and grey interiors. The adjoining art gallery is designed with similar elements and perfectly complements the restaurant. The space is mostly open-air and the seating is very comfortable. It is suitable for a variety of activities ranging from an afternoon lounging with friends over food and art, to an evening with colleagues over drinks.

VHC, Koregaon Park, Pune – Food

The modern European menu has a variety of gluten-free, vegan and healthy options, along with the indulgent, comfort food options.The chefs use local, fresh produce and almost nothing is outsourced. Sauces, dips, condiments, marinades and even pasta is made fresh in-house. Extra attention is given to the presentation, and the plating of dishes is impeccable. Like the food menu, the bar menu has been put together meticulously and features some innovative cocktails. We tried the unique coffee martini, spiced pumpkin fizz and the beautifully crafted black gin cocktails. We accompanied our cocktails with cheese stuffed chicken roulade, ratatouille pizza, zucchini pea burger and buff burger. The chicken thigh roulade was perfectly cooked and stuffed with cheese and asparagus. The carrot puree was smooth and well seasoned. The condiments of the buff burger (gherkins, grilled onions, mustard aioli) were classic and perfect with the mince buff patty.The ratatouille pizza was perfectly thin and generously topped with zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, cherry tomatoes and cheese. For the mains, we picked two exclusive dishes – the pan-seared Norwegian salmon and the slow-cooked Belgian pork spare ribs. The salmon was marinated and cooked perfectly with crispy skin and slightly flaky meat. It was placed on top of a cauliflower puree subtly infused with dill, grilled asparagus and drizzled with a creamy saffron sauce. All the elements were rightly seasoned and complemented each other. The spareribs were falling off the bone and glistening with the glaze. The carrot and sweet potato mash, the beetroot puree and grilled vegetables were the right sides to the ribs. Both these dishes were luxurious and the balance of flavors and condiments was spot on. The hand-rolled and freshly made tricolor pasta was another top pick from the menu. The vibrant green, purple and orange fettuccine pasta in a rich tomato and cashew sauce was an absolute stunner. The desserts menu is as impressive as the other sections and there are some excellent options to pick from. We tried a range of different desserts and could hardly fault any. The berry and tender coconut parfait with an apple sponge, the chocolate banana praline with raspberry sorbet and the chilli guava sorbet were our absolute favorites.

Plus & Minus:

The beautifully plated food and the impeccable presentation seems like an extension of the art exhibits in the adjoining gallery. But beyond the presentation, the food tastes good too. The staff is courteous and friendly, but the service was slightly slow.