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Tummy tuck

 Visiting India has some amazing perks.  Good, diverse food choices at affordable and sometimes downright cheap rates.  Multitude of flavors, cuisine defined by geography and history.  We visited Pune, Mumbai, Goa and North Karnataka (Hubli and Hampi to be exact).


Camp mein Kurram Kurram - you can go see the potato wafer factory in the back @ Budhani's
home made Pomfret fry

Vaishali on FC road in Pune (Dosa and Onion Uttapam with Mango milkshake)

RK dosa - a cheese and spicy stuffing doas made by chef RK @ Taj Hubli

Tisrya (small spicy clams) and Surmai (king fish) curry goan style @ Vinanti Panaji

Paneer Makhanwala - literally cheese in butter - Vinanti in Panaji, Goa

Taj buffet - croissant and donut racks

desi McD - Paneer burger

Balewadi - Urban Foundry - soya kabab - par ye to khada hai

Kalyan Bhel - Sevv Dahi Batata Puri (ridiculously good)

Sane Dairy - Bhandarkar road, Sol Kadhi (a uniquely Goan drink ideally made with coconut milk and Kokum;  Side of Kesar Shrikhand)

Joshi wadewale, BCL lane, Deccan Pune


This write up tries to do justice to some tasty bites that I tucked away in an ever growing tummy while the going was good. The portfolio of items listed are not in any particular order but where memory serves I have listed names of establishments that to our palate crank out the best India has to offer.

'Shree Datta' rest stop - Northbound Pune to Mumbai expressway - just after Khandala  (sample platter - self serve made of Vada Pav Chatni, Misal and later added Chai)

The pav (variant of Pan or bread) itself is luscious and simple but unique to Maharashtra that adds textural contrast and flavor to the accompanying wada (spicy potato in breaded lentil shell which is deep fried).

Masala Chai garam (many places - roadside to this one at the Taj) - ginger alone will wake you up

Masala omlette - again many places get it right - US product tends to not taste the same as our onion and tomato lack flavor
Cold coffee and ice cream - Green Park in Baner, Pune

Beer - Kingfisher - the owner absconded India but left a legacy
Chole (chickpea dish) with Paratha

Bhatura with Chole @ Sheetal, Kothrud Pune - family friendly with awesome menu

Kalyan bhel for chaat and eclectic dosas in Kothrud, Pune

Pineapple pastry - Bakers Basket on Bhandarkar road in Pune

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