Bread Winners

Here's another article featured in the DNA today. Listing down only 5 places for good sandwiches was a tough task, and am sure you might have something in mind that might be better than what's listed here. Do feel free to share your feedback in the comments below-

What's the first thing that comes on your mind when you are hungry and running out of time? And pat comes the thought, 'How about a sandwich?' The fact that it's super easy to prepare and can be made in varied styles, sandwich makes for the perfect snack for people on the go, for a tea-time get-together, or just for those days when you don't feel like cooking.
Referred to as Banh Mi in Vietnam, Cemita in Mexico, Hoagie in the US, or simply the Vada Pav in India, you will find sandwiches in every part of the world, and every time with a different name. Pune being the hub of the young people, sandwiches are one of the most popular snacks which you will find at almost every nook and corner of the city.
1. Marz-o-rin
This is the first recommendation that comes up each time there's a mention of the word 'Sandwich'. We recommend their chutney sandwich, which has a hint of sweetness in the green chutney and is loved by everyone. It is said that out of 1000 sandwiches sold everyday, around 700 are the chutney ones. You can also try the chicken sandwiches here.
Located on MG Road, Camp

2. Brooklyn Shuffle
Come here for the Chicken Club Sandwich. It's the presentation that you should look out for. Sandwiches (and burgers) here are served with a portion of onion rings, fries and coleslaw. You need no extra encouragement to pop in besides the magical mix of chicken, cheese and toasted bread.
Located in Koregaon Park
3. A1 Sandwiches
A simple roadside stall with no frills, this joint serves some of the best sandwiches in the city. Located in the bustling Camp area, this stall is popular for its Veg Club Sandwiches. The minimalist sandwich made of cheese and green chutney is priced at at Rs 40, which can be easily shared between two.
Located in Camp

4. Flavours
No place can make the chocolate sandwich the way these people do. Priced at Rs 50, their choco sandwich tops the list of best sandwiches in the city. One bite, and the blend of chocolate and butter will have you coming back for more. There are currently four outlets in the city, but if your are new in Pune, you won't find it dfifficult to locate the one in Fergusson Collage Road.
Located on FC Road, in Koregaon Park, Viman Nagar and Pimple Saudagar

5. JJ Garden
Since the Vada Pav is included in the Top 10 Sandwiches of the world, we would't leave this one out of the list. A tiny road side joint, this one is one of the most highly recommended sandwich joints by Puneites. Try the vada pav with their authentic green chutney, and we're sure you will not stop at just one.
Located in Camp

*Picture credit- DNA, Pune

Here's the link to the article- http://www.dnaindia.com/pune/lifestyle-the-5-sandwiches-you-must-have-in-pune-1974884

Street Shopping, Pune: Featured on the DNA website

Oh look, I've been featured again! <Wouldn't have known had a friend not called me up to tell me about it. *sigh* God bless him.>

Here is the article-

http://www.dnaindia.com/pune/lifestyle-shop-the-street-smart-way-in-pune-1972291

As we enjoy the luxuries of globalization and modernization, it's difficult to let go of the habit of haggling with street vendors, something that most of us have grown up with. With prices almost skyrocketing, seeing the jealousy and disbelief etched upon your friends faces as you show off your best buys is turning out to be quite a delightful experience. Getting good deals from Sarojini Nagar, Delhi and Colaba Causeway/Linking Road, Mumbai are now passé. Pune is now opening up to the culture of street shopping.

Street shopping , though a little off-track, can be one of the most exhilarating shopping experiences of your lifetime. This is not something that a novice shopper can deal with.The variety of products available at astonishingly low rates, the sense of achievement on having bagged a good deal, picking up triple the number of products for half the amount you’d spend at a mall, and to end it with a finger-licking roadside chaat – this experience is not to be missed out on if you are in India. 

If you are looking at funky products, fabulous bargains, or simple photo opportunities, M.G.Road and F.C. Road in Pune are a must try.  Clothes, jewelry, bags, shoes, home décor items, ethnic items, you name it, they have it. Navigate your way through traffic, kids selling stickers and balloons, and other shoppers as you peruse the stalls. From branded items off the runways to dirt-cheap seasonal trends, MG Road and F C Road are a fusion of traditional and modern styles. These shopping destinations in Pune attract a whole lot of young college crowd, looking out for inexpensive trendy items. The quality of the products picked up is questionable, but something worth Rs. 300 that lasts for 3 months is something that most of us as shoppers can live with.

The people, the smells, the tastes, the organized chaos, the cacophony of sounds -  all of this combined makes for an enthralling shopping experience. There are 2 rules that we absolutely must not forget while street shopping-

1.       Don’t buy in haste, there is ALWAYS a better deal waiting for you at the next store

2.       BARGAIN.

Street shopping is an exciting experience, you never know what you might find. Every buy here has a story. Plan out a day of street shopping with your girls, and shop till you drop! End it on a relaxed note with wine and kebabs at the Greek-themed bistro-By The Way if you are at F.C. Road, or with a Barman’s Pitcher and some Masala Fries at Thousand Oaks’s, Camp if you are looking at something fun near M.G.Road. 

Beef Steak Burger

Yay to another feature being published!! DNA, Pune, Page 2 :

http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=61713&boxid=34941&ed_date=2014-03-24&ed_code=820040&ed_page=2

What seems like a millennium ago, a phenomenon called Burgers (previously known as Burger King) arrived in Pune. Back then, Pune Camp (M.G. Road) was populated with a cosmopolitan crowd; a mix of foreign students, Christians, Parsis and the elite. The crowd went wild for this place, and for someone who had started this as a small experiment, it ended up being a main business. 25 years since this phenomenon hit this town, Mr. Shapoor Irani, the man behind the burger joint, is still coming to terms with the fact that this place is one of the most famous burger joints in Pune.“I am an MBA graduate, I had nothing to do with this field when I decided to open this joint. I recognized the need in the market for burgers, had an empty space lying around back home, and decided to give it a shot. It’s become such a big hit, it’s not easy!”  

Considering it’s esteemed competition, this joint is surprisingly low-key.  Orders are taken over a small counter , while the cooks prepare the burgers in the background. While the orders are competently prepared, the options are straightforward- burgers, fries and drinks.All the customers are loyalists, and word-of-mouth publicity has got it this far.  If you are in Pune, looking for a fast-food quick-fix, you know where to go.

The Beef Steak Burger has established itself in the competitive market. Mr. Irani went on to tell us how people from Mumbai and Goa come over on weekends to get a taste of the special beef burgers. “On weekends, it’s maddening. There is a long queue of customers waiting to order, and the guys in the kitchen work at the speed of lightning. All the beef burgers are sold out EVERYDAY, there are people who settle in for the chicken burgers because the beef ones are over. I feel bad, but there’s nothing that I can do. I want to continue providing good quantity of quality food, at inexpensive rates.” On quizzing him about the daily sales he smiles and says- I can make 200 burgers, and I can make 10,000. Depends, you can never say. But we are always well prepared.” Does he wish to expand the business? “No not as of now. I have a tough time handling this, how much can one man do? Everything here is freshly prepared, I do not sell frozen patties. The shelf-life automatically decreases, so I can’t be looking out at franchises. I want to give my undivided attention to the 2 stores, I don’t want to compromise on quality, quantity, prices, or my attention” Mr. Irani’s passion for the business is reflected in the way he tells us how a burger is made, describing each step in detail while preparing a burger by himself. 

The store has 2 branches, one on East Street and the other one at Koregaon Park. The stores open at 11:30am and close down by 10:30pm, and are always buzzing with customers.  A beef steak burger is priced at Rs. 80. The customers know what they want, and they know they can get it here- cheap, filling, and most importantly, consistent. Majority of the customers are students, and that is something that has not changed since the store opened back in 1988-89. “The foreign students would come here for the beef burgers, you’d get the loyal AFMC guys coming in every evening, and every Sunday you’d find the NDA chaps occupying the whole place, all throughout the day. Pune has been very kind.”

A good burger is a beautiful thing, almost like an unimprovable piece of art- a satisfying messy presentation of ketchup, cheese, mayonnaise, beef and of course the custom-made buns. If you're looking out for messy American burgers that remind you of Jughead while you eat them,  you will definitely enjoy this place. And if you are lucky enough to get Mr. Irani to spend some time with you, you’d not want to leave.