Food Sampling @ PVR bluO Pune

I love food. Correction, I love good food. I was recently invited to sample the food at PVR bluO, Pune, located in Phoenix Mall. I have passed by the place a zillion times but never stepped inside it because I thought it was yet another hangout for the teens – a bowling place that served plates of fries, cokes and pastas. And you know what, I was mistaken. I had missed out a completely awesome place because of my misconceptions!

Food Sampling at PVR bluO Pune

It was a gastronomic delight to be a part of the food sampling and devour such awesome food that brought back the memories from the stalls in Dilli to some long forgotten tastes of Khow Suey!

One cannot think well, love well and sleep well if one has not dined well – Virginia Woolf

I was greeted by the manager and the head chef who acquainted me with the property and from rooms that allowed private parties and karoke to a complete fine dining experience, they have it all, apart from the addictive bowling and pool games that they have.  I did not really glance at the menu because the food sampling was taking up most of the time. So get ready for a pic heavy and awesome food post!

The first dish I sampled was classic french fries that got the desi twist with the chaat masalas and saunth ( dry ginger) ki chutney. I am not a fan of fries, but this one was a refreshing bite that flipped me back to the years spent in Northern parts of India relishing the famous tikkis and chaats. Having spent a few good years in North India, chef Rajesh Moolchandani gave this the Indian twist.

This was followed by the Masala Spring Rolls that was filled with spicy matar ki sabzi. If you have ever eaten matar ke parathe, you would instantly relate to the taste of the dish. Parathas are a standard fixture at my home as well, and as a mom to fussy eaters all I do is add a handful of veggies to wheat flour and I am done. A simple twist and you have a very desi spring roll!

The Moroccan Sheesh Touk was another favourite that was served with salsa and sour cream in pita bread. All you needed to do was add the toppings according to the tastes wrap it up in the bread and eat it. This one was on the spicy side and left you wanting for just a bit more. This is my first must – try recommendation in the menu. 

Having spent a lot of time in the northern part of India, Chef Rajesh has got quite a bit of the Delhi street food with slight improvisations in the menu. Whether it was the just adequately spiced Dilli style aaloo tikki with the right sweetness in the papad that accompanied it or the the tikki chaat. I found the tikki chaat silightly bland in comparison to the ones you actually get there. The spiciness and the  chutneys that accompanied it were not as spicy that kind of let down the dish.

Nachos is something I completely avoid unless I have nothing else to opt for so I was a bit hesitant to try this signature dish of BluO. And I am must say that I have been pretty much misjudging nachos all this while. Finely chopped toppings with sour cream and cheddar cheese made this dish absolutely yum and I can tell you that this was pretty filling.

Yet another dish I totally loved was the cajun spiced chicken. You see that crispy coating on the chicken that is nothing but roasted puffed rice (poha) that is crushed and used as a final coating before it is deep fried. I preferred to dip it in the sour cream as it enhanced the taste more in comparison to the salsa.  This is my second must – try recommendation in the menu. 

Peri Peri is again one of my favourite spices and I love the spiciness it leaves behind as an aftertaste. I like a big glass of lemonade to wash down the spice levels (which I did drink!!). I was not disappointed with this one and the spiciness was more than welcome. This is my third must – try recommendation in the menu. 

I am not a sea food person but I took the plunge to try the tandoori prawn cocktail that was layered on salsa, chopped salad, sour cream, boiled eggs and topped with tandoori prawns. Tasty yes, but not convincing me enough to turn to a sea food person. But yes, for the sea food fans, this one is a must try!

And just when I thought that I was done with the spice levels, I was served the super super awesome kaali mirchi waali murg that was simply amazing. A very slight moistness to the kebabs gave it the very soft texture and let me admit that pepper is somethng I love, so this was one dish I was partial too and tucked in two pieces as well. This is my fourth must – try recommendation in the menu. 

I opted for a simple main course that consisted of half a tandoori roti with the signature rara gosht and some lip smacking khow suey that transported me to my days in Mumbai. I used to visit this quaint little eatout in Bandra that served the yummiest khowsuey. I loved the accompaniments/toppings with the khow suey, the only things I missed were fried onions and chopped boiled eggs. Khow suey is the fifth must try dish in the menu, followed by the rara ghosht.

If you are looking for the dessert pics, sorry but as much as I was tempted, I chose not to eat any because I had packed enough for 2 meals!

If you stay in Pune, head over to PVR bluO Pune to spend some time bowling. They have a large 17 lane bowling lanes and pool tables that will keep you occupied for hours together. And if you are looking for some quality time with your large group of friends head over to the private party lounges that boasts of karaoke, DJ den, board games and more! They also have a  fully stocked bar and multi cuisine food menu that has some must try dishes. They also have a limited promotional offer on the cards where the best female bowler of the day ( applicable only on Thursday) gets to walk away with some really cool gifts sponsored by well known brands.

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