Tiranga

What does "Tiranga" represent? India's national flag ? Well... there is somthing else attached to Tiranga as well. It's a great gastronomical experience for all the gourmets who enjoy some adventurous food.

Tiranga is a Pune based chain of 6 pure non-veg restaurants. The best in its class.

Tiranga's branches are spread all around Pune, but the one that I visit frequently, real frequently, is based at Paud Phata, Kothrud. Why? For two simple reasons. One being I stay at Kothrud. And second, it's the best among the all. I can say it because I have eaten at all of them.

Located at one of the busiest ares, Tiranga is a famous landmark.

Talking about the ambience, this place is 100% Maharashtrian, but quite plush at the same time. It's divided into two sections : general and family. Tables are broad and the chairs are comfortable. The ear soothing instrumentals set the perfect mood.

The managers and the waiters are modest. The place is extremely crowded in the evening, and you may have to wait for almost an hour if you are a bunch of people, especially on a weekend.

No formality of glass plates or finger bowls here. Like at home, you eat in the big steel plates and wash your hands at the basin.

Before moving to the food, lemme make one thing clear : if you are a pure vegeterian, don't even think about going to Tiranga. It's as simple as that.

All the non vegeterians... it's your paradize ! It's the place to satisfy all your tastebuds.

Tiranga is one of those few places in the city which guaranteedly serves lamb { sheep meat } all the time. This place is mainly famous for mouth watering biryanis. But the other dishes are equally delicious.

You can start your meal with a glass of solkadki, it will prove to be a good appetizer. Here you get various options in snacks. My favourite is Chicken Shola Kabab. These are boneless pieces of tender chicken with green marination, roastd in a tandoor { bar-be-que }. It is, like most of the dishes served here, a very spicy preparation.

Other tandoori dishes are tandoori chicken, chicken tikka, chicken malai kabab, chicken banjara kabab etc.

In the main course, you don't have so many options. But the ones that you have are really special.

In mutton, I mean lamb, you have Mutton Masala, Mutton Masala Fry, Mutton Dry, Khima Masala Fry, Mutton Handi Full, Mutton Handi Half, Bheja Fry. And let me stress again, you get only good quality sheep meat here, which is deliciously tender and tastier.

In chicken, you get Chicken Masala, Chicken Masala Fry, Chicken Dry, Butter Chicken Full, Butter Chicken Half, *Gawraan chicken Handi, Chicken Handi, Chicken Handi Boneless.

* Gawraan chicken{ wild fowl}, is a special breed of chicken, with less flesh and a stronger taste.

A variety of sea-food is also available : Prawns (Kolambi) Masala Fry, Prawns Masala, Promfret Fry, Promfret Masala, Tandoori Pomfret, Tawa Promfret, Surmai Masala, Tawa surmai.

Tandoori pomfret is something which you won't get everywhere. This whole pomfret marinated in tandoori spices and then roasted on coal will surely tantalize your appetite.

All the chicken and mutton dishes have different gravies and tastes of their own.

The portions are very big, so be careful while placing a big order.

You can ask for only gravies as well. Like Handi Gravy and Fry Gravy.

In bread, you can choose from chapati, tandoori roti, naan, paratha and bhakari, a Maharashtrian speciality.

And now it's time to discuss my weakness : Tiranga Special Mutton Biryani ! It is something I can die for.

You get good biryani at many places in Pune . . . but what sets apart Tiranga's biryani is the quality of lamb and rice used in it. It's simply unbeatable. The huge quantity is sufficient for two persons, or for one dedicated foodie, like me.

This biryani has three layers. The first layer of tenderly cooked spicy lamb, the next one is of spiced rice, and the top one is of dry rice. And there is a topping of dryfruit. It is served with a spicy gravy.

Though Tiranga serves so many good dishes, I hardly have anything apart from Tiranga Special Mutton Biryani. I am somehow addicted to its taste. And I have a very bad habit of comparing any food with Tiranga's biryani. Though I have good writing skills, I am seriously short of words while describing its taste and the satisfaction that I get after eating it. I just hope I am able to convey my emotions.

I have been always teased for overpraising Tiranga. Some of my friends even say that I get paid for promoting Tiranga.... !

Apart from the amazing Tiranga Special Mutton Biryani, you get Tiranga Special Chicken Biryani,Prawns (Kolambi) Pulav and Eggs Biryani.

And last but not the least, Tiranga is a bit high on the wallet. One special biryani costs Rs.150/-. If you are a bunch of good eaters, be ready to spend a grand on a treat. It's worth it.

Whenever I have to eat out, the first place that comes to my mind is only "Tiranga". It's like a second home for me.

So, on the occasion of this Independence day, this article is my tribute to Tiranga in Kothrud.

If you have any questions, please feel free to write to me at : sameerkulkarni87@gmail.com .

Happy eating ... !