Some of my favorite places to eat in and around Chinchwad

A short list of some of my favorite food joints in and around Chinchwad. These are mostly small places known only locally. I usually rate any food joint on taste, value-for-money, hygiene, service - in that order.

Vikas Lunch Home - Best fish joint in Pune!
Location: Close to the Nasik Phata ST Stop
This is hands down, the best fish joint in Pune. I have tried various other places on recommendation from friends, including Mahesh Lunch Home, Nisarg, but none of them comes even close! Vikas (the owner) serves only fried fish with a bowl of gravy - so you can go at it with chapati or rice. He gets fresh fish delivered in the evening, so dinner is better than lunch. However you have to follow a strict protocol to eat here:

1. Call Vikas on his number +919850029980 - between 5.45 - 6.15 PM for dinner and between 10.30 to 11.15 AM for lunch. 
2. Order exactly what you want to eat (for example - 2 surmai, 2 pomfret etc) and tell him what time you will be coming
3. Arrive at the restaurant at the appointed time. In case you feel like eating more - check with him. Usually he will not accept orders if not previously booked on phone :)

The fish is served in smaller pieces due to which it gets cooked better. Hygiene is ok, not a family joint. I recommend ordering a take away.
Damages: Rs. 80/surmai, Rs 50/Bombil, Rs 120/Pompfret

Siva Snacks - South Indian fast food
Location: Next to Fatechand Jain School, Chinchwad
This joint serves by far the best idlis & medu wada I have eaten in Pune. The sambhar & coconut chutni is also pretty good. A tangy red chutni is available on demand. However, the place could do a lot better with more hygiene and better staff. The staff behavior can be a major turnoff.
Damages: Rs. 20/plate for idli (4) or medu vada (2)

Ruchira Snacks - Pohey, Idli, Misal, Vada Pav
Location: Chafekar Chowk, Chinchwad
Typical Maharashtrian snack joint, excellent food with very good hygiene standards. This is our current Sunday breakfast place. Definitely try the pohey here (only available in morning).
Damages: Rs. 20/plate for pohey or misal. Rs 10/vada pav

De dhakka - Misal
Location: Pimpri Chinchwad Link Road
Frequently visited misal place. Good misal, bad hygiene.
Damages: Rs 30/plate + Rs 3/pav

Nevale Misal - Misal & Batata Bhaji
Location: Chinchwad Gaon
Spiciest misal (or any other food) I have ever eaten. Was a formerly (during college days) frequented joint. No longer have the stomach for the super hot rassa they serve. It has created a unique brand for itself, a real show me you are a real man place :). They also serve good Batata Bhaji in the evening. Hygiene definitely needs a lot of improvement
Damages: Approximately Rs 30/plate + Rs 3/pav

Chowpaty - Chaat & sandwiches
Location: Approximately close to Elpro, Chinchwad Gaon
One of the cleanest Chaat joints I have ever visited. SPDP is pretty good. Sandwiches are definitely above the average fare.
Damages: Rs 40/SPDP, Rs 20/Pani puri, Rs 40/club sandwich

Delhi Chaat - Chaat
Location: Next to Vasu Restaturant, Pradhikaran, Nigdi
I like the pani puri here. The alu tikki is as close to the original North Indian tikki you can get around here. Definitely way better than the crap they serve in Sai Chowk, Pimpri - famous for ragda pattis.
Damages: Rs 40 for dahi cholle tikki, Rs 20/Pani Puri

Proof that wifey eats fish

My in-laws are the typical Marwari lot. So it's really a big deal for them to be related to an omnivore, drunkard occasional drinker like me. Not exaggerating - my brother-in-law won't even sit at a table where others are eating eggs. In fact, the other day I saw him turn his face from the Television, when I was watching a recipe show for chicken masala.

Going to the city tonight

Living in the suburbs, every weekend warranted a trip to the city. Whether you needed to shop, dine or just hang out, there was always a shortage of venues in the PCMC area. Not that Pune had a lot to offer in terms of variety, usually we ended up going to the same malls or restaurants or MG or FC road. However going out in the neighborhood never really felt like going out.

In the last couple of years, these weekend jaunts have become rare, given that availability has increased and I have become lazier :). So today wifey finally dragged me to FC road quoting some insane excuses. I figured that we could try this new seafood restaurant Maasemari, I have heard good things about. Review coming....