Tamhini Ghat

These are some pictures from a trip to the Tamhini Ghat two weeks ago. Went with some office mates. The rains were slashing hard at that time and we had a frolicking time in one of the many waterfalls which line the Ghat road. We also stopped at a point where there were lush green rice fields all around, as seen in the pics.

First Monsoon showers!!!

First Monsoon showers in Pune!!! This picture was taken yesterday with my cellphone camera, from the sixth floor of HSBC Riverside at Kalyaninagar. The Yerawada bridge was shrouded in mist. The wind was blowing in all directions, and the rain was pouring helter skelter

Blogging from my Nokia E71

Blogging from my cell phone via an 'App' for the same. The 'App' is called Cellspin and is available to download for free on the recently launched Ovi store.

Pasta Mania!!!

Have been searching for a decent Pasta offering restaurant in Pune, for a year now. Tried Marigold in Mukund nagar, Curry on the Roof on Prabhat road, Off Beat opposite Karishma buildings and Polka Dots in Aundh. Marigold is an honest effort. Off Beat is good for starters. Polka Dots is promising!!! Curry on the Roof is an absolute disaster!!!

Last Saturday, discovered PastaMania. The chain originates from Singapore and has its outlets in South East Asia. Its in the Gera Point Center, at the start of Dhole Patil Road after Ruby Hall Clinic. Seating is adequate with a mezzanine and the ground floor. The place is clean and the ambience is not too flashy. There are Diced tomato tins and Olive oil bottles kept as decoration pieces. 

The menu consists of a few starters like Garlic Bread and Bruschetta. But mainly it consists of Pizzas and Pasta. But there's ample variety in both. We ordered a 1o inch Veggie Supreme Pizza for Rs. 235 and a combo deal of a Pasta+Garlic Bread+Coke for Rs.135. The Combo deal was really great for its value. We ordered a Mediterranean Pasta which was made fresh and had tomato sauce, veggies like Asparagus, mushrooms, olives, zucchini and Italian herbs. The Pizza had a nice thin crust topped with tomato sauce, olives, sweet corn, mushrooms and cheese. The Coke came in a Big sized container. The Garlic bread had cheese on it and was spiced with some Oregano.

The taste was really authentic and we were thrilled to have discovered this place. To end it, we ordered a Tiramisu. Even that was close to the Olive Garden Tiramisu that we so love! 

The menu does have seafood and other meats sections. Next time, a prawns pasta needs to be tried out as also the alfredo sauce variety. 

Baden-Baden

I came across an article on cnn.com today that described the Spa culture in Baden-Baden, Germany. I found it very interesting and inviting. I know, you will raise your eyebrows. Even I raised mine once. But after reading the writer's experience, I found it quite inviting. 

We have seen Baden-Baden in Hindi movies. I also remember one episode of "Everybody loves Raymond", when Ray's in-laws are traveling to Baden-Baden. This article seems to confer Baden-Baden the "Spa Capital" of the world. 

I have been seeing pictures of  "1000 places to see before you die" on a desk calendar. There's even a book on this subject. A friend has blogged about things to do before dying. So, I thought, why not start a Travel Wish list for myself. The list is a long one. This is just the start !!! 

Baseball and India

I know, there's little or no connection between Baseball and India. There's Softball been played for many years in schools though. Whatever the reasons behind the lack of awareness/interest in Baseball, the game has never took off beyond Softball and school level. This little news might just be the "sowing of the Baseball seeds" in India!!! Untill I read it, I wasn't even aware that there was a reality show like the "Million Dollar Arm". And all of a sudden, the Pittsburgh Pirates, sign two 20-year olds 

hailing from India as their Major League Baseball prospects! The season 2 of the contest begins in December 2008! Any guesses for when we can see Baseball games between Indian franchises?

Upavaas Thali at Shreyas

This last Sunday was Kartiki Ekadashi! The second of the two all-day upavaas ekadashis! Shreyas, on Apte Road, serves an Upvaas Thali on such days. Baba called them up and asked for a reservation for 4 people at 1 pm. They said they cannot reserve at that time as there were already numerous reservations. They offered a reservation after 2 pm, which we declined. So, Baba called up Krishna Dining on Law College road. They too serve the Upvaas Thali. They said, come over anytime, no reservation needed for 4 people. We started at 12:45 pm and I thought of trying Shreyas. Believe me, I have not been to Shreyas Dining Hall in my 33 years of life! Since Shreyas is known for good food, we thought of taking the chance.

When we reached Shreyas, it was crowded. Partly because of a fifth floor wedding crowd and partly the lunch goers. But thankfully, we got a parking spot right at the entrance. There was a wait of half hour. Meanwhile, Anaya was running around the parking space in front of the entrance. She would go near any boy or girl, mostly bigger than her, and start staring or playing with them. So, myself and Anuradha took turns looking after her.
Atlast, we were asked to seat ourselves inside the restaurant. There were big groups of people eating inside. We got a corner table for four. There was the regular Thali also on offer. But we ordered the Ekadashi Thali. Before long, the thalis came.
Sabudana Khichadi in the middle, a folded Thalipeeth at the bottom, six vaatis lining up along the upper half of the thali. Shrikhand, Kakdi koshimbeer, Varyache tandool, Daanyachi chutney (mixed with dahi), Batata bhaaji, and Daanyaachi aamti made up the vaatis. There were small batata papads on the side. Anaya was on my lap and she immediately got hold of the papads. Everything looked good. The tasting was done gradually and everything was very delicious. The Khichadi was done very well with a nice, savory and liberal taste of "Daanyache kuut". The Thalipeeth exceeded expectations and was the topper! The Daanyachi Aamti was also very well done and I ate the Varyache Tandool with the aamti. The sides were also good. I was wanted to eat some more Thalipeeth, but just one helping of everything made me full. There was some cold Taak in the end to wash everything down.

The price for the Thali was Rs.120. Baba told me Krishna's Thali was for Rs.80 with 8 items served in the thali. Shreyas' had 10 items. But the food quality was the best.

Need to taste the regular thali as well. Some other time.