Explore The City Of Pune With Comfort And Great Food At Sayaji Hotel

Travelling, for me, means exploring the local culture and experiencing the essence of the city. My recent visit to Pune was an eye-opener of sorts. Although Pune doesn't really fall in the bucket list of many travel enthusiasts, but it is really a hidden gem that deserves more attention, not to mention the heavenly food you get there. I stayed at Sayaji Hotel, which is strategically located on the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway. Besides offering a luxury stopover to wane off highway-lag, it lets you see the city of Pune in a new light. Pune is a large city and Sayaji Hotel lets you experience both the city's bustling life and the calmer life on the outskirts lined with high-rises. There's no better way to experience a new place than through the regional cuisine along with your comfort food, and I got to do it just the right way during my stay here.

Along with offering a comfortable and homely stay, Sayaji took me on a gratifying gastronomic journey through its restaurants. As soon as I reached the hotel, I was happy to see the traditional cake mixing ceremony going on. It already felt like Christmas at the heart-warming event and I knew that instant that my stay here was going to be memorable. All the chefs and the guests, including children, lend in their hand to mixing the large spread of nuts and fruits with spices and alcoholic blends. It was as cheerful as it could get. 

Call it a coincidence - Portico, the multi-cuisine restaurant in Sayaji, happened to host Punjabi food festival for dinner while I was there; and being a Punjabi, I couldn't be happier. Because let's admit it, you miss and want your comfort food even while travelling. I filled my plate with my favourite dishes. I was surprised how close they got to the authentic sarson ka saag and makki ki roti. Kudos to the chef! However, dal makhani and pindi chole were on a sweeter side, which is not how I enjoy it. But I realised this is exactly how Maharashtrians like their food. Nevertheless, the rest of the flavours were on point. All other dishes I tried were quite impressive.

Breakfast buffet in Portico let me kick-start my days with so many options that I was spoilt for choice. Besides, south Indian delicacies like dosa, poha and idli sambhar, there were north Indian classics like stuffed parathas, chole bhature and western delights like salad and pasta. I tried as many items I could, and all of them were super delicious. 

Before heading out to explore the city, I decided to experience in-room dining and ordered bruschetta and cold coffee. The order arrived in no time. Bruschetta was a bit too dry and bland but the cold coffee was lip-smackingly refreshing. 

I love relaxing besides the pool on my vacations. And I was excited to find TurQue in Sayaji, a pool-side restaurant that lets you enjoy the pleasant weather of Pune amid a soothing backdrop of white and turquoise canopies and seating under them. I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner on the next day at TurQue. The weather was great, the live music by a melodious singer uplifted the mood and the sumptuous food levelled it all up. I got a chance to try authentic Maharashtrian delights here and it was mind-blowing. I highly recommend Saoji mutton curry at TurQue. It was rich in flavours and succulent meat dunked in the spicy gravy made for a fantastic dish. Veg Kolhapuri was again a delight to have on the table. It packed a melange of flavours and textures, something that I still itch to have. 

If the food at Sayaji made my trip to Pune worthwhile, the warm hospitality and helpful staff made it memorable. The prompt service and top-notch hygiene made my stay comfortable and home-like. 

I left with fond memories that would last a lifetime. 

Where: Sayaji Pune, 135/136, Mumbai-Bangalore Bypass Highway, Wakad, Pune, Maharashtra