Perfect Food Destination

Citadel columnist MAANAS SHAH gives our readers a fair review of the molecular dishes served at ORION KITCHEN & BAR.

- Maanas Shah

In the midst of all pretentious molecular gastronomy restaurants whose only claim to fame is dry ice and associated theatre, comes a rather unassuming new place, which is guaranteed to blow your socks off.

Just an infant on the Pune culinary landscape, Orion Kitchen & Bar is already making waves for their superlative food and commendable service.

COCKTAILS

The Cinematic (₹280) cocktail was one brilliant drink. Made using whisky as a base and garnished with cinnamon ash and a cinnamon stick, it was quite literally one of the best whisky based cocktails I have had in recent times. Very few bars get their whiskey mocktails right. And this one for sure will catch the fancy of whiskey connoisseurs. The addition of sugar syrup gave it another sweet dimension, which is unusual for a whisky based cocktail.

The Sharabi Lassi (₹500) too, was a potent combination of Bailey’s, Jameson, mango syrup, and Marimbula saffron syrup with creamy lassi. Tasty enough to generate a moustache, if you know what I mean! Again, there are many twists out there on saddi lassi, but this one does stand out and the flavour combination works brilliantly.

The Tamarind Margarita (₹380), unfortunately, didn’t appeal to me quite as much. It is definitely an acquired taste with its tangy sourness. A little too much tamarind sauce in the drink made it a little too sour for my palate. However, it did make a pretty picture.

SOUPS