Flying Duck Co.

I remember this restaurant when it was a small joint serving pan-asian food on Baner-Pashan Link road. So when I heard they had moved to Balewadi High Street, I was more than pleased to come and experience their new menu and range of pan-Asian, pasta and meat dishes.

The restaurant interiors come across as modern and eclectic. The dim lighting sets the right mood and adds to its overall elegance. There is indoor as well as outdoor seating, so pick your table depending on what sort of experience you are looking for.

Coming to the food, the flying duck’s expertise lies in their slow-smoked meats like duck, chicken steak, brisket and ribs. They also offer up some exquisite salads and pastas all laced in their delectable in-house sauces.

I tasted the following dishes:

Agnolotti stuffed with Spinach and Ricotta
Rating – 5/5

As a food blogger you taste a wide array of dishes and it’s rarely that a dish comes along that virtually knocks your socks off. It’s even rarer and is excruciatingly harder for me to confess, when the dish in question is vegetarian. So when I looked at this unassuming dish of pasta draped in a layer of silky creamy cheese sauce and garnished with a tomato reduction, I knew exactly what to expect. Well…that’s what I thought. What transpired was one of the most gastronomic experiences I have ever had. The most perfect pockets of pasta filled with fresh ricotta cheese and spinach and topped with a gorgeous creamy cheese sauce. Each spoonful was like a piece of heaven and gave me a foodgasm that I will remember for a long long time. Any pasta dish I taste going forward is going to be up against a formidable benchmark. #Recommended

Fillet Mignon
Rating – 5/5

There are dishes that move you. There are dishes that amaze you. There are dishes that you wish stayed in your system for life. There are dishes that you drive a hundred miles for. There are dishes so good, they make you cry and be grateful for being alive. And then there are dishes that make you experience all these varying emotions in one juicy, flavour bite. This is what this fillet mignon is. The most beautiful cut of steak that’s been grilled with pure passion to an immaculate medium-rare. The outside serenading you with its dark honey sheen and the inside, pink to perfection. You actually realize how bloody well it’s been cooked when the meat just melts into your mouth like a tender roasted marshmallow. This is one of my favourite dishes in town and I highly recommend you try this. #Recommended

Prawn Laksa Soup
Rating- 4/5

As our evenings get cooler and slowly crawl towards winter, we take refuge in comfort foods especially hot and steaming soups and broths. One such soul stirring dish is the Prawn Laksa Soup. This Malaysian coconut curry noodle soup is one of my favourites and I can think of nothing less comforting than indulging in this sweet, spicy and pungent delight. #Recommended

Traditional Skewer Chicken
Rating – 5/5

A disclaimer. I’m not a big fan of chicken skewers for the simple reason that they usually taste awful. Dry and lacking in any discernible flavour. But this dish changed my perception completely. It hasn’t changed my perception of chicken skewers but this restaurant might be the only place I’d make an exception and order it by choice. The chicken is cooked perfectly, soft and tender right through to the middle and flavoured with this amazing in-house bbq sauce that is guaranteed to get your saliva buds working overtime. I absolutely loved it and I see no reason why you shouldn’t head over there this weekend and taste it for yourself. After all, the proof of the pudding is indeed in its eating.

Soba Noodles with Bacon and Veggies
Rating – 4/5

Dig into a bowl of these delicious soba noodles. For the uninitiated, soba is the Japanese word for buckwheat and noodles made from soba are low calorie alternative to regular wheat pasta. So you can indulge your taste buds without worrying about your waist.

Raw Papaya Salad
Rating – 3.5/5

Another dish for the fitness fanatic is this low calorie and highly nutritious Raw Papaya salad with Cumin dressing. This salad is fruity and spicy, and can also prove to be a great palette cleanser.

Crumb Fried Asparagus
Rating – 4/5

These crunchy asparagus stems are such a revelation. You don’t expect them to be so delicious but you are surprised by how much punch they pack especially with the special sauce at the bottom. Yummy and a great way to get your meal started. I gobbled down quite a few. Hick!

Shrimp Vietnamese Rolls with Star Fruit
Rating – 3/5

If you’re in the mood for some authentic Vietnamese rolls give these babies a try. A combination of beetroot, veggies and shrimps wrapped in translucent rice wrappers and garnished with pickled star fruit. These rolls have tradition written all over them.

Warm Duck and Poached Pear Salad
Rating – 4/5

This was the first dish we tasted and it was so delicious. This was the first time I had duck in a salad and what a delight it was. The salad is very well balanced between the freshness of the leafy vegetables, bell peppers and baby tomatoes, the succulence of the duck and the sweetness of the poached pear. You should definitely give this a try! #Recommended

Pla Nueng Manao with Lemon Grass Garlic and Soy
Rating – 4/5

This steamed barramundi fish is the way fish should be cooked and eaten. Retaining all the nutrients and natural flavour. The steamed fish is almost bathed in a spicy sauce made from fresh lime juice, garlic, and chillies. You have to eat it to believe how good it is.

Pappardelle Pasta

Don’t have a rating for this since I didn’t taste it. But it has ham, bacon, cheery tomatoes all combined in a cramy Parmesan sauce and garnished with flakes of Parmesan cheese.

Rum Tiramisu
Rating – 4/5

This classic dessert is delivered flawlessly and the rum definitely makes its presence felt. It’s creamy pudding-like texture is well executed and you will end up gobbling this down asking for second servings!

Conclusion – I loved the restaurant for the attention to detail that was paid to the preparation and presentation of the food, and the quality of ingredients. The dishes just keep topping each other and they have raised my expectations of what Pune can offer in terms of gourmet food and a fine dining experience. Come with family or friends or a date, they won’t let you down!

Disclaimer – I was invited to a complimentary food tasting at the restaurant. This post is a narration of my tasting experience.

Magnolia Restaurant & Bar

In nature, Magnolias represent beauty, gentleness, dignity and even divinity. Qualities that we have come to not only cherish and admire but also aspire for. So when I was invited by Magnolia Restaurant & Bar to taste the new menu as part of their Chinese and Thai Festival, I was to put it faintly rather optimistic.

As I walked into the restaurant I fortuitously bumped straight into Head Chef, Avisa, who was charming and refreshingly earnest. A brief conversation about the restaurant and food blogging ensued and she asked me to settle down and order myself a drink. Which I did as I waited for the other guests on the roster and soaked in the ambiance.

The restaurant has a quaint, melancholic vibe which I really liked. The soft lighting and elegant layout works very well and is warm and welcoming. I think it’s a great setting for a date or meeting or family dinner. The ground floor functions as the restaurant and the first floor operates as a sports lounge where you can catch up with your friends, throw back a few drinks and watch the ongoing world cup matches on the large projector screen.

The restaurant has kicked off (pun intended) its Chinese and Thai festival from the 21st of June. You can also order some authentic Chinese and Thai food that will get your taste buds celebrating and your heart racing. The cocktails and mocktails are worth a mention. All these ingredients provide the perfect recipe for a great meal and if you’re a sports fan, the premise for a great night of food, fun and football.

Let’s move on to the food then. We started with some soup and starters.

I tried the following:

1) Burmese Soup
2) Jade Corn Soup
3) Drums of Heaven
4) Crispy Corn Curd

I absolutely loved the Burmese Soup. That creamy and silky texture, the sweet aroma and the warmth and fulfilment of consuming each spoonful was like getting hugs from your favourite person. I definitely recommend you try this. The sticky and spicy drums of heaven were gorgeous and the surprise of the evening was the crispy corn curd, which totally blew me away. Apparently it’s made from a corn and curd mixture which is frozen and then fried. It was like putting savoury marshmallows in your mouth. So good!

Moving on to the main course. I tried the following:

1) Cheese and Brocolli Dimsums
2) Spinach and Mushroom Dimsums
3) Chicken Money Bags Dimsums
4) Thai Veg Pot Noodles
5) Thai Chicken Pot Rice

The dimsums were steamed perfectly and full of flavour, the noodles and rice also hit the right notes in texture and taste.

Finally the desserts. I tried:

1) House Lemon Cheese Cake
2) Coconut Rolls and Vanilla Ice-cream

They didn’t work for me personally as I felt the lemon flavour was overpowering and I’m not a fan of coconut, so didn’t really find the rolls enticing. However, that’s subjective and you may find them right up your alley.

Mamagoto

My favourite pan-asian restaurant from Delhi, Mamagoto, is finally in Pune. I was lucky enough to be invited for a tasting and I had an awesome time.

The swanky interiors are a fusion between neoclassical and funk designs. The same goes for the furniture. It’s a great blend between a restaurant and lounge and captures the essence of both. I loved the vibe and overall the place looks absolutely smashing. I am sure the good people of Pune will love it!

I tasted a long list of dishes and drinks. You can read my review of everything I tasted by scrolling down. Enjoy!

Let’s start with the drinks. The restaurant has yet to receive a liquor license so for the moment they are serving only mocktails, juices and soft drinks. The restaurant has applied for a license and should have it on a month or two and when that happens I’m positive that they will be whipping up some awesome cocktails as well!

I tried a few mocktails which included:
1) Cranberry and Kaffir Lime Punch
2) Passion Fruit and Orange Cooler
3) Watermelon Beach
4) Kiwi & Mint Collins

All the mocktails were delicious. A real punch of fruity flavours. You can choose from a variety of exotic concoctions based on your personal taste and preference.

Exotic Soups

What better way to start your course than with a simmering soup. I had the chance to sample some of their delicious soups. I tried:

1) Chicken Sour & Pepper – Rating: 3.5/5
2) Tom Yum Soup – Rating: 4/5

Both the soups were good, but the Tom Yum Soup was exquisite. The last time I had one this good was in Bangkok. I ordered mine with shrimp, but you can order it in veg and chicken options. The soup was bursting with flavour from the lemon grass, lime leaves and galanjal. Each flavour like a musical note layered over the other and the resulting soup a symphony of sour, sweet and chilly. I absolutely loved it!

Chicken Basil Cups
Rating – 3/5

The dish is a sort of DIY (Do-It-Yourself) dish. You get a serving of minced chicken that’s been prepared with basil, bird’s eye chilli and crushed pepper along with lettuce cups. So basically, you stuff the minced chicken in the lettuce cups and gobble up. Simple and delicious. A great snack or starter. The chicken is spicy but on the lighter side. The lettuce cups really add a bit of freshness and crunch, and work really well with the chicken.

Rock Shrimp Tempura
Rating – 4/5

This is my favourite appetizer at Mamagoto and it always delivers. A close friend recommended it when on my first visit and it has stuck with me since. The dish consists of rock shrimps dipped in tempura batter and deep fried. Served with a home-made chilli mayo dip, the shrimps are crisp on the outside and tender on the inside and absolutely delicious. This dish is a real conversation starter. I recommend you definitely try it. Especially if you are on a date. Free advice. 🙂 #Recommended

Java Grilled Fish in Banana Leaf
Rating – 4/5

Basa fish cutlets marinated in Indonesian sambal (a hot paste made from assorted chilly peppers along with fragrant and robust ingredients like fish sauce, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, lime juice, palm sugar and shallots), wrapped in banana leaf and then grilled. The result is a tender and juicy fish that’s medium spicy and oozing with flavour. Served with a mound of sticky rice, this has healthy dinner written all over it. If you love fish, definitely check it out! #Recommended

Maki’s Platter
Rating – 3.5/5

I am fascinated by Japanese food and culture. You may have read about my ramen cravings in one of my earlier reviews. I also love sushi. So when I found this on the menu, I knew I wanted to dig into the sushi platter. I tried the Maki Non-Veg Platter, there is a vegetarian option too. The platter consisted of the following options (four pieces each of):
1) Ebi Tempura
2) California Roll; and
3) Chicken Katsudon

The sushi was prepared and presented beautifully. It wasn’t perfect but the flavours were right. The vinegared sticky rice and the fillings worked well together and the wasabi drizzling was a nice touch. I would have liked more wasabi though, perhaps on the side. Dipped in some soy sauce, the sushi really came together. Enjoyable and not too heavy on the pocket!

The Laksa Tribute
Rating – 4/5

There is comfort food and then there is ‘Comfort Food’. This is the latter. This is Mamagoto’s tribute to the famous Malay red-curry noodle soup. This coconut based curry has even tones of spice and sweet and it’s silky texture really hits the sweet spot. It’s a delicious, warm hug on a winter morning and a kick-ass rejuvenator on a spring afternoon. No matter the season, the affect is the same. Please indulge your senses in this rendition of the classic. Worth your time and money. Promise!

Mama’s Spicy Ramen Bowl
Rating – 3/5

I love ramen. This is already public knowledge. So I had to try this ramen bowl. It consisted of a spicy broth with noodles, buttered corn kernels, blanched spinach and chunks of chicken, topped with a boiled egg and seaweed. Although the ramen was enjoyable, it wasn’t to my personal taste preference. The elements just didn’t come together as I would have liked. They seemed off balance. But that’s down to personal taste and I am not a ramen expert just a noob enthusiast.

Home-made ‘American Style’ Chunky Caramel Sponge Cake
Rating – 4.5/5

This is one of my favourite desserts at any restaurant I’ve had the pleasure of eating at. Soft and sticky sponge cake served with warm toffee sauce and a dollop of vanilla ice-cream. This combination works so well that you will literally lick the plate and ask for another serving. It comes together really beautifully. It’s rich, decadent and comforting. Dessert goodness fit for dessert sluts like myself. #Recommended

Mama’s Banana Split
Rating – 3/5

Mamagoto’s rendition of the American classic dessert is ambitious but falls short of taking flight. It consists of roasted coconut and panko (breadcrumbs) crusted bananas served with vanilla ice-cream and topped with caramel sauce, chocolate sauce and nuts. It lacks both the visual appeal and the gratification of indulging in the original. It isn’t at all a bad choice, it just isn’t what it’s trying to be.

Mamagoto is one of the first restaurants to introduced Indians to the culinary phenomenon that is pan-asian cuisine. And it continues to delight and fascinate and innovate. It’s a fantastic place to go with friends or family and they will leave no stone unturned to wow you. You will at worst leave satisfied and at best a fan!

Kargo

Kargo is a multi-cuisine restaurant nestled in Koregaon Park, Lane number 5. The restaurant offers a fine dining experience and a carefully curated menu that includes dishes inspired from North Indian, Italian, European, Indonesian, and Thai cuisines. I was lucky to be invited for a tasting, in the backdrop of the restaurant launching their special happy hours menu.

I tasted the following dishes:

Cream of Garlic with Mushroom Phyllo
Rating – 3.5/5

I enjoyed the earthly flavours of this garlic and mushroom soup. You get the rustiness of the mushrooms and garlic, the freshness of thyme with a swirl of fresh cream. It’s creamy and comforting and yummy!

Chi Chi Wang Chicken Soup
Rating – 3.5/5

This North Asian style soup is definitely worth trying. It has a light and aromatic broth flavoured with black fungus mushrooms and veggies. I had mine with chicken, but you can go for the all veggie version and I am sure it’s just as good. The soup has lots of layers in terms of flavour and they unravel slowly as you savour it. The earthly tones of the mushroom get you started, there is a little bit of sweetness from the veggies and right at the end you get a gentle dose of heat. Take your time with this one and really enjoy it. It will pay you back in kind, and you just might order another serving.

Rendang Curry with Mutton
Rating – 4/5

Rendang Curry is one of the most popular Indonesian dishes in the pan-asian gourmet spectrum, and relished the world over for its intense, aromatic and rich taste. With ingredients such as chillies, lemon grass, garlic, ginger, tamarind, coriander and turmeric, it’s no surprise. This sinfully good curry is one of my favourites one that will keep drawing me back. The mutton is melt in your mouth good and perfectly cooked. You can recognize the infusion of flavour from the meat into the curry, which also proves how well the dish has been prepared. Served with rice and some sticks of cucumber and tomato, it’s the perfect meal for lunch or dinner. Hits all the right spots for me!

Smoked Chicken Nanza
Rating- 4.5/5

Smoked Chicken, Onion and Jalapeño layered over naan bread and topped with mozzarella cheese. This is the Nanza. The concept was launched in Pune by Kargo and has since gone viral. I’ve tried this at a few places, but no where is it elevated to gourmet standards like it is here. The topping and naan work wonderfully together and honestly I couldn’t stop eating it. Definitely give this a try. I personally recommend it. Also try their other toppings and vegetarian versions, they have quite a bit of variety. #Recommended

Confit Chicken
Rating – 4/5

This continental take on the traditional butter chicken from is a real winner. The chicken apparently goes through a 9 hour preparation process which includes marination and the actual cooking. The process involves slow cooking the chicken to maintain its texture and juiciness. The chicken breast is absolutely perfect, soft and oozing with flavour. You can taste a hint of fennel and orange, and the curry on the side adds to the richness of the dish. Served along with pulao and butter garlic naan, it is a complete meal and one you will keep thinking of long after you’ve digested it. #Recommended

Khow Suey
Rating – 4/5

This burmese dish has become a cult favourite and a staple in pan-asian restaurants. Every restaurant tries to put some twist to it, but most remain pretty loyal to the original recipe and presentation style. Kargo has its own take where instead of presenting each condiment separately the dish is put together by the chef and all you need to do is dig in. I personally liked it and the curry which is made from gently spiced coconut milk was delicious. It’s spicy and sweet and tangy and overall a great meal.

Coriander Marinated Grilled Cottage Cheese
Rating – 3/5

Grilled Cottage Cheese marinated in aromatic coriander pesto and served with sautéed vegetables and buttered rice. This dish is fragrant, fresh and healthy. The coriander marinate gives it an earthly tone, the rice and sautéed vegetables complement the dish well. It’s a big plate of food so be ready to dig in. If you are health conscious and looking to consume the right macros or just looking for a great vegetarian meal, this should satisfy you very much.

Madras Curry
Rating – 3.5/5

A hot, rich and pungent curry made from coconut milk, curry leaves and black pepper. The curry is on the mild side in terms of heat but captures all the flavours of this South Indian favourite. Served with buttered rice, it is a real delight.

Veg Crostini
Rating – 3/5

Crostini means ‘little toasts’ in Italian. They are thin slices of toast brushed with Olive oil and topped with something savoury like cheese, vegetables or anchovies. The Veg Crostini is part of the restaurant’s new bar menu and a great appetizer which goes well with a soup or salad or just by itself.

Single Origin Chocolate Ice-Cream
Rating- 4/5

The great thing about the ice cream served here is it’s made in-house and the flavours really pop and stand out. The ice-cream captures the classic chocolate taste so well. It’s a fantastic dessert right after a hearty meal or a great treat just by itself.

Raspberry Jam Ice-cream
Rating- 3.5/5

This fruity and jammy raspberry ice-cream. The ice-cream is rich and creamy, and balances the sweet fruitiness and tart from the raspberry coulis really well. It’s a fantastic dessert right after a good meal or a perfect companion to your sugar craving. Go check this out along with a bunch of other flavours.

New York Baked Cheese Cake
Rating – 3.5/5

This yummilicious cheese cake is rich, creamy and uncomplicated. Just like good Baked New York style cheese cake should be.

Coconut Pannacotta
Rating- 3.5/5

Indulge yourself in this creamy and delicious coconut pannacotta. It’s light and gently sweetened, the texture is smooth and it disappears in your mouth. You can’t go wrong.

I also tasted the cottage cheese and had a hot passion mocktail. Both were on point. Whether to head over for a date, a quiet dinner or a family/friends get together, the food, the ambience and the quality of the service will be an experience to remember. I am positive you will come back many times over.