Yesterday we started reminiscing
about what food we miss from Pune. The regular wada
pav,
chaat,
pani
puri
started the list. But then, to my surprise, Malaka
Spice came up; and just stayed!
Now,
let me explain something. Malaka Spice is not a
picture of "Pune food" or "home
food". Its not "Prabha" or "Bipin"
or "Vaishali".
So why would it be my strongest memory? You see, we get all that food
here; and it isn't like Yana's where Mayur
and me would go every fortnight. In total, I would have been to Malaka
Spice about 6 times. There is no specific dish that I remember or
always order when I get there. Sometimes I have had outstanding food
there. A couple of times, I didn't really like what I ordered. But
there was never a time when I did not leave Malaka
Spice satisfied and at peace, as if I had the bestest
time in the world.
Is
it the ambiance? I am not sure. ABC farms has a similar ambiance in a
few cafes. Or is it the service? When I think of Malaka
Spice, what do I think of?
Oh,the
menu card! The interesting, interesting menu card. I never tire of
reading it. The creative illustrations, the descriptions, the 'Chef Cheeru"
special icons - I just love it! Its like reading a really catchy trivia
magazine. I take ages to order and even after we're done, I still keep
reading the menu. I hate the concept of taking away the menus once you
finish ordering. It should be abolished.
Then
there are the waiters, dressed in casual Hawaiian shirts, not in
waistcoats and ties. And yes, almost all of them are knowledgeable
about what they serve. Isn't it fantastic? They just fit right in. Plus
there's Prashant Sinha
doing the caricatures. In the candlelight of Malaka
Spice, caricatures have their own special magic or at least I do
remember it as magic.
When
they moved, we thought Malaka Spice would lose
its charm because it came out of being a small cosy place into this
huge expanse. To my delight, it managed to retain its charm. It
achieved just what was required. The utter cosy ambiance was now just
available to more. The personality stayed.
The
crowd at Malaka Spice is a
cross-section of the Pune society. College
students, typical camp crowd, KPites, Oshoites,
young professionals and so on. But its still comfortable for any one to
fit into.
Pretentious?
No
Elitist?
Nope
Charming
? Yes
Interesting?
Always, yes
Special
evening? Guaranteed
