Indian and Chinese food are no doubt the most liked and proffered cuisines in India. Chinese Food has been around for many years as it made its way from Calcutta into other states in the last few decades. Just as you can get Indian food anywhere, you can also get Chinese food anywhere from roadside vendors to a star hotel. Mandarin & Mircchi at Ishanya Mall gives you the reason tot travel to this otherwise forgotten mall in Pune.
The restaurant is a cozy place with both inside and outside seating that you will enjoy in the rains and in winters. The restaurant ambience is good with dim lighting and effective cooling. The interiors theme reminds you of the two cuisines that you can choose from as the dragon and peacock face-off from different walls.
Mandarin & Mircchi menu is vast and everyone from your family will find something they like from the menu. The Indian menu is fairly traditional with Punjabi staples making a mark. The Asian side offers a lot more with unique and flavorful appetizers and sumptuous main course.
We tried a couple of Indian appetizers and Dimsums – you can’t really resist these pockets of bliss when at a Chinese restaurant, can you? Dimsums were all the rage on the restaurant scene last year, and the innovative options and combinations keep coming up this year too.
The Prawns ans Bamboo dimsums were mildly flavored. I love the bamboo shoots in stir frys and they did equally well here. The prawns and shoots were perfectly cooked and the it was almost like you were cutting into a soft pillowy mass. For those who love to have it spicy, you have to try the Lemon-Chili sauce on the table with these dimsums.
For those who do not dig meat, the veggie options are not bad either. If you like Mushrooms, try the Three Style Mushroom Dimsums. The flavor from three different mushrooms is heady and the texture is creamy. You can’t miss this one.
Another veggie appetizer that you have to try is the Carrot and Turnip Cake. Garnished with fried garlic and carrot, it’s crispy and soft at the same time. Although you won’t be able to feel the turnip, the subtle turnip taste is unmistakable.
The restaurant also has a well stocked bar and has a range of special cocktails and mocktails to go with the delicious food. We tried the Whisky based Berry Bunny cocktail and it was potent and flavorful. The blend of berries and chocolate was amazing and you won’t be disappointed about the potency of the drink either.
The mocktails too are new and exciting. Their signature Virgin M & M is a must try. The fresh flavor of Orange will refresh you and the subtle heat of the Green chili in the background will surprise you. The Basil could have been a bit strong here, but I guess not everyone is a basil fan.
As promised the Indian appetizers too are above board. We tried Tandoori Tikka. The chicken was cooked but juicy and you don’t have to chew conspicuously to eat it. Can’t tell you what a relief that is. The Indian veggies options are equally well made and exciting. The Veg Seekh Kebab too were firm but moist, another property that is missing in most veg seekh kebabs that get floury in most places.
With two separate kitchens for each cuisine you are assured of authentic cooks and taste at Mandarin & Mircchi. The Indian main course too has all the favorites including Paneer and Dal Makhani. The Dal Makahani comes in a smoky, buttery flavor and goes really well with a butter roti or naan.
The Asian main course not only has Chinese options, but also includes the favorite Thai curries. We tried the Burnt Garlic Rice which was simply yummy. Low on oil, high in veggies and flavor and moist at the same time. The rice was cooked just right to retain the individual grain but enough to be moist to eat on its own.
For the carnivores, the Pork Belly made in BBQ sauce is a must try. Cooked to perfection with veggies like Pok Choy, the pork belly was crispy on the outside and cooked enough for you to cut through without an effort, on the inside.
The desserts to aren’t disappointing here. With unique options like Rabdi Mousse and Gulab jamun in Saffron baked Yogurt, you get to taste something new and exciting. That doesn’t mean you have to compromise on the crowd favorites like sizzling Brownie, which is equally good.
Mandarin & Mircchi is a great option to visit with your family. Easy accessibility, great food, and a cozy ambience makes this an enjoyable place.
Leave a Reply