Gluttony Events : The Ugly Duckling, Baner - Pune
I just couldn't say NO to Mr.Swapneel - the owner of The Ugly Duckling, who had so humbly requested me to come over for a food tasting at the Ugly Duckling. This invite had been extended since November last year, when I couldn't oblige as I was not in the country. This year again when I received his warm reminder and follow up, I was totally humbled down and undeterred - me with a friend drove up 20 kms, just to be here. And I am glad I walked out as one happy satiated soul - worth the effort taken up. :)
Ugly Duckling is a quaint cozy small restaurant located in the bylanes of Baner - albeit easily miss-eable.Thank God for the lady Google Map navigator, who 95% of the times guides us correctly. 😈 Ladies huh?!! 😉
Greeted by Mr.Swapneel, we headed to sit upstairs in the mezzanine seating arrangement that the restaurant boasts of. Seated comfortably, we noticed the place was bustling with people enjoying their Sunday lunch - wow! The place has about 8-10 tables in the house. The decor is elementary yet has classy touch - loved the reddish brick-themed wall.
The first eye-catchy thing in the restaurant is of course the numerous colorful notes tied up to the staircase - what a beauty! Seeing so many happy notes, I just couldn't wait to try my hands on the food.
Mr.Swapneel briefed us about the concept of the Ugly Duckling - smoked meat and its slow and tender cooking of the meat. A work of patience eh?!
They have a chalkboard menu - serving mostly American and Italian delicacies. They serve a good number of dishes I would say.
We started with the mocktails to quench our thirst after the long drive - DEADPOOL. A spicy drink imbibed with flavors of strawberry and crushed ice - highly refreshing.
Next was the IRISH CREAM SODA - the blend of colors with the white,bubbles of the soda and darkness from the blueberries made it appear artistic. The scoop of ice-cream atop infused with crushed blueberries and soda - wow!It was tastefully made, and was fruity. 😊
Then came in our VEG NACHOS garnished with a portion of sour cream - crispy machos topped with smashed rajma beans added to the Mexican flavours. The nachos did not have the regular saucy salsa instead were flooded with chopped onions and tomatoes.Nicely done.
Ordered for the CHICKEN ALA PLANCHA - meticulously cooked with simple ingredients like olive oil, chilli, lime juice and seasonings. It had a blast of flavours - the tangy-ness in the succulent cubes of chicken was what I loved the most in the dish - simplistic and flavourful!!
Waiting in line was the MUSHROOM CORN PIZZA in tomato base - perfect thin crust pizza laden with fresh cheese,sliced mushrooms and corn pieces. It was mouthwateringly good. We must gulfed down about a down a dozen pieces - unlike other pizzas this was cut into square pieces, innovative twist to the regular pizza.
We were so full by this time, but the good food put in front of our palate - encouraged us to order for the burgers. Ordered for the CHICKEN FRIED BURGER - it came with potato wedges. Well could be partly our fault, we asked them to serve the dish later in spite of it being ready. We were yet not done with the previous delicacies on the table. Maybe because it was rested - the burger bread was a tad bit dry. Sans the burger, the red sauce dressing and the fried chicken were top notch with a dig at the tomato ketchup and the coleslaw. The ALL VEGGIES BURGER had a slice of patty with potato wedges - sans the burger I was told the veggie pattie was okay-ish.
Desserts were an absolute delight - FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE - frozen and hot at the same time?! Really...
Decadent and sinful would best describes the dessert - layer of mousse atop with hidden rich chocolate beneath,with hints of coffee. Actually the chocolate had a rough texture which made it distinctive.
Service was quick and utmost care was being taken of our table.
We also left a colorful note and got etched among the many happy foodies in UGLY DUCKLING!! Yeay!!
Don't go by the size, the place has loads to offer! :)
Although it completely slipped my mind to ask about the history behind the name : The UGLY DUCKLING?!
Totally quacked!!
Few pictures:
Some catchy one-liners out there:
~Bon Appétit!!
P.S All the pictures have been taken by me. J
Ugly Duckling is a quaint cozy small restaurant located in the bylanes of Baner - albeit easily miss-eable.Thank God for the lady Google Map navigator, who 95% of the times guides us correctly. 😈 Ladies huh?!! 😉
Greeted by Mr.Swapneel, we headed to sit upstairs in the mezzanine seating arrangement that the restaurant boasts of. Seated comfortably, we noticed the place was bustling with people enjoying their Sunday lunch - wow! The place has about 8-10 tables in the house. The decor is elementary yet has classy touch - loved the reddish brick-themed wall.
The first eye-catchy thing in the restaurant is of course the numerous colorful notes tied up to the staircase - what a beauty! Seeing so many happy notes, I just couldn't wait to try my hands on the food.
Mr.Swapneel briefed us about the concept of the Ugly Duckling - smoked meat and its slow and tender cooking of the meat. A work of patience eh?!
They have a chalkboard menu - serving mostly American and Italian delicacies. They serve a good number of dishes I would say.
We started with the mocktails to quench our thirst after the long drive - DEADPOOL. A spicy drink imbibed with flavors of strawberry and crushed ice - highly refreshing.
Next was the IRISH CREAM SODA - the blend of colors with the white,bubbles of the soda and darkness from the blueberries made it appear artistic. The scoop of ice-cream atop infused with crushed blueberries and soda - wow!It was tastefully made, and was fruity. 😊
Then came in our VEG NACHOS garnished with a portion of sour cream - crispy machos topped with smashed rajma beans added to the Mexican flavours. The nachos did not have the regular saucy salsa instead were flooded with chopped onions and tomatoes.Nicely done.
Ordered for the CHICKEN ALA PLANCHA - meticulously cooked with simple ingredients like olive oil, chilli, lime juice and seasonings. It had a blast of flavours - the tangy-ness in the succulent cubes of chicken was what I loved the most in the dish - simplistic and flavourful!!
Waiting in line was the MUSHROOM CORN PIZZA in tomato base - perfect thin crust pizza laden with fresh cheese,sliced mushrooms and corn pieces. It was mouthwateringly good. We must gulfed down about a down a dozen pieces - unlike other pizzas this was cut into square pieces, innovative twist to the regular pizza.
We were so full by this time, but the good food put in front of our palate - encouraged us to order for the burgers. Ordered for the CHICKEN FRIED BURGER - it came with potato wedges. Well could be partly our fault, we asked them to serve the dish later in spite of it being ready. We were yet not done with the previous delicacies on the table. Maybe because it was rested - the burger bread was a tad bit dry. Sans the burger, the red sauce dressing and the fried chicken were top notch with a dig at the tomato ketchup and the coleslaw. The ALL VEGGIES BURGER had a slice of patty with potato wedges - sans the burger I was told the veggie pattie was okay-ish.
Desserts were an absolute delight - FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE - frozen and hot at the same time?! Really...
Decadent and sinful would best describes the dessert - layer of mousse atop with hidden rich chocolate beneath,with hints of coffee. Actually the chocolate had a rough texture which made it distinctive.
Service was quick and utmost care was being taken of our table.
We also left a colorful note and got etched among the many happy foodies in UGLY DUCKLING!! Yeay!!
Don't go by the size, the place has loads to offer! :)
Although it completely slipped my mind to ask about the history behind the name : The UGLY DUCKLING?!
Totally quacked!!
Few pictures:
 |
| Deadpool |
 |
| Irish Cream Soda |
 |
| Veg nachos |
 |
| Chicken Ala Plancho |
 |
| Mushroom corn pizza |
 |
| Chicken fried burger |
 |
| Veggie burger |
 |
| Frozen hot chocolate |
Some catchy one-liners out there:
~Bon Appétit!!
P.S All the pictures have been taken by me. J
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