Pune ... A metro in the making

One of the cities I need to visit (thanks to my job) on a regular basis is Pune.

For the unaware, this city is is the the state of Maharashtra, in the Western part of the country. It is a growing town, attracting attention of Big Business Houses. Its proximity to Mumbai, India's so called Financial Capital, is a big plus for its future.

I find it a nice get-away from the Big Town that I live in (Delhi). One of the things not many know about me is that I enjoy eating ... no I am not a Hog (though some of my family members moight disagree) ... and no I am not a Foodie (I don't know what that means). I just like eating ... as simple as that. Another thing that people do not know about me is that I moody ... and if my mood is up to it, I roam around.

Keeping my brief background in mind, I'd like to share with you some of my discoveries of the city. The first being "Durvankur" ... a must for all interested in tasting the flavours of Pune. Its an"eat-all-you-can" outlet. It was introduced to me by a friend, and I have vowed to visit it everytime I go to Pune. I have been there twice of the three times I have been to Pune. If my recommendations are not equal to those from a connossieur or a foodie, then let the lines outside the dining hall stamp the Dining Hall's claim to fame. More details to the location of Durvankur, its contact details and my humble review about the Dining Hall are available on link below


Google Local: http://local.google.co.in/maps?f=l&view=text&q=durvankur&near=pune&ie=UTF8&hl=en&latlng=18507053,73851446,17846739346094815472&ei=GZxJR4zdHZyejQOs5vnfAQ&cd=1#

Sigfood.org: http://sigfood.org/Pune/Tilak_Road/Durvankur


The second place I recommend would have to be "German Bakery". German Bakery offers a different menu and ambience from the conventional "restaurant". Its a cross between a "health conscious eating joint", "a continental restaurant" amd a "dhaba". I have fallen in live with the soups (Potato & Leek and Spinach & Mushroom), the mashed potatoes, the strudels and tira Misu served there. Located in the identified locality for Expats (Koregaon Park), you are bound to run into foreigners there ... If you want a quiet place by yourself, here is one place where you can get it. Nope ... no private cublicles, but you are left alone to whatever you are upto. Its an invitaion to spend time with yourself.

The Cook's Cottage: http://thecookscottage.typepad.com/curry/2005/07/german_bakery.html

More to come: Agha Khan Palace, Vohuman, Mahesh Lunch Home and Zamus

Credit Card services - Love it or hate it

I was sucked into the plastic money world some time ago. Through the years I have had various experiences with the usage of these cards, but none like the one today. I hold a card where I wanted to make a payment, to avoid bad credit rating for delayed payment. I was surprised to know that I cannot pay the card dues in cash. I do not know how many card services exist, however, here is one of the world's large financial institutions offering services, refusing to accept payment in good old cash ... I was left wondering where this was leading us ... are we going to live in a virtual world from now on, where the real thing is not acceptable, but a virtual offering holds the sway. A bank saying no to cold hard cash ... Now tell me where have you heard that one before. All I was left screaming at them was ... I want to give you money ... tell me how I can get it across to you fast.

By the way ... online transactions are not "Instantaneous". So I got to know when I finally "electronically" transferred the cash. It takes anything between 2 - 4 days for the transfer to take effect. Would the check be faster???

Like I say to some of my friends ... there are these "Hmmm" moments where one is enlightened to the novel ways of the world.