A curated list of food outlets in and around Pune that drives my taste buds crazy!

It’s Saturday (24.09.2022) and I’ve just had my after-nap tea amidst a cool breeze as dusk settles over the city of Pune. Today isn’t about a recipe that I tried my hands on. It’s about sharing an experience of a foodie soul that craves for delicacies in the lap of nature.

This post will be updated over the time as I explore some of the hidden food outlets near Pune. For now, I am sharing my first experience.

Hotel Kale Farm (Purely non-vegetarian)

A less than ordinary Maharashtrian food outlet near Dive Ghat which turned out to be a paradise for my non-vegetarian soul. Dive Ghat happens to be the nearest ghat area (hill) from Hadapsar, Pun (my current residence). Dive Ghat is on the way to Saswad from Hadapsar, almost 3-4 km ghat overlooking the city.

The moment you cross the ghat area, lush green fields embrace the souls. A good 5 km ride on the Saswad road takes you to the turn for Malhargad Killa and from there another 4 kms amidst the fields of Custard Apple & Guava will get you to Kale Farms.

A quick Google search might confuse you as there are several Kale Farms, you might better use the direct Google Map link – https://g.co/kgs/NMEmJ8, or you use the map below

I went here with my wife and in-laws this noon, and we were before time. The farm opens at 12:30 pm. I was nervous at the beginning as the place is pretty ordinary when it comes to looks and seating arrangements (plastic tables and chairs). One must keep aside the hygienic city attitude and breath in the fresh air to enjoy the simplicity of the restaurant. On one side, you see the green outfields, followed by the Malhargad Killa (Fort).

I was in two minds whether we should stay there or make a move, after all I wasn’t alone. My experienced father-in-law sensed my thoughts and comforted me to stay. By that time, my mother-in-law, lured in by the smoke, was already inspecting the open kitchen of the restaurant with numerous firewood stoves. As we were before time, we had time to take some pics of the kitchen and enjoy the rusty fragrance of firewood.

Mutton Soup Aka Alani/Ukad

Mutton Thali & Chicken Thali

For lunch, we opted for mutton and chicken thalis, not that we had plenty of options in the menu anyway.😝

The mutton was tender and the slow firewood cooking showed its magic. The overall food was high on Maharashtrian spices and local Goda masala, but as I write this post a few hours down the line, I don’t feel any signs of acidity even though I overate. All items (bhakri, rassa and rice) were unlimited apart from the mutton pieces. We did order some extra mutton fry to be on the safe side, but I can assure you that the quantity is enough. The pics will justify my statement. The Bajra Bhakri was thin and crisply baked on iron tava and clay chulha. I learned from my mother-in-law how to crumble it in the mutton rassa and eat mutton fry on the side. The bhakri will soak up all the goodness of the rassa this way and doesn’t remain dry, as it does for me most times.

Once we wrapped up the wholesome meal, all I wished was to lie down in one of the nearby farms under the shade of trees. You might want to carry a mat if you like the idea.

A quick inquiry with the restaurant owner revealed that they happen to have a small garden of custard apples, and we could buy, if we wish to. We requested to handpick our purchase, and the owner was kind enough to let the amateurs venture into his garden. It was some experience and a must-try if you are visiting Kale farms.

Mayur Strawberry & Rose Farm

Well, this one is pretty close to my heart 🫶

Everyone who knows me closely would acknowledge my fascination towards strawberries. It’s the very reason I have been ever ready to travel to Mahabaleshwar, but travelling ~ 125 kilometers now and then ain’t feasible. Thanks to amazing friends @souschef has got, we came to know about Mayur Farms. Now strawberry picking is a matter of 1-hour drive instead of an entire day trip 🥰

Located in Khed Shivapur alongside NH48 is this non-commercial farm that houses some astonishing yields throughout the year. A quick Google search will get you there. You can also use the direct link https://goo.gl/maps/5r5JPTdnUoiLChrK7 or follow the map below

Strawberry Picking

I visited Mayur Farms for the first time back in December 2021 while my recent visit was a week ago. The center of attraction, happens to be the remarkable experience of handpicking strawberries, as much as you can. Fresh, farm grown strawberries at a steal away price, what more can I strawberry lover like me ask for 🙌

Regardless of age, every family member of mine enjoyed the handpicking. It felt one of those moments when the kid within us sprung on.

Firewood Cooking

We kept picking strawberries until our arms started paining with the weight of carats & our bodies could soak no more vitamin D 😅

As we returned to the farm stay, a rustic minimal setup, our minds were blown away by the aroma of the mutton being prepared by our host, Mayur’s wife. The firewood cooking was on its full display and unlike Kale Farms, this cook was only meant for us. My mother-in-law couldn’t hold back being the guide, and Mayur’s wife was more than happy to oblige. After all, mom had got her magical homemade kala masala.

Scrumptious Meal

For lunch, we had requested for mutton thali that comprised of

The cherry on the cake was that almost every raw material used in cooking was grown in Mayur’s farm. The portion size wasn’t a problem as we got the mutton on our own, but on the flip side, we overate. Thanks to the magical taste 😋

Picking Veggies

After the heavy lunch, we took a stroll to nearby farms to pick everything our eyes saw including tomatoes, coriander leaves, flower and strawberry plants, beans and lemons.

Takeaway

I would like to thank Mayur and his wife for being such outstanding hosts, it almost felt like we are a family. I was mesmerized how ground to earth Mayur is after accomplishing so much. Not to forget his vow to keep alive the soul of India, agriculture.

If you plan to visit this farm, below are some of the tips:

Well, that’s all from this amazing Saturday evening. I hope to share the next hidden gem from Pune sometime soon. Enjoy the weekend folks 🙂