Critic's Review: Experience Indian Cuisine In A Modern Avatar At Arth

Bollywood's favourite restaurant Arth is finally in the city and here's what we think about it!

After taking Mumbai by storm, Arth, the ingredient forward and gas free experiential restaurant has opened at The Westin in Pune. Chef Amninder Sandhu who takes modern Indian food to another level is joined by mixologist Jeet Rana who whips up unexpected exotic cocktails and Gauri Khan who is responsible for creating a luxurious space never seen before in Pune.  

DÉCOR

The 7000 square feet space designed by Gauri Khan is lavish, contemporary and most of all dramatic. You are welcomed by the floor to ceiling black door with gold highlights and glass lamps. The large windows with sheer curtains, stunning lighting fixtures and crystal chandeliers create a great ambiance. But the most striking feature was entire circular columns decorated with new and old hard-bound books. The seating is comfortable and designed to ensure privacy for each table.

FOODChef Amninder Sandhu has carefully curated a menu which includes ingredients sourced from different parts of the country and uses traditional and ancient cooking techniques. The kitchen at Arth is entirely gas-free and team uses an Angeethi (slow cooking stove with charcoal), a Sigri and a sand-pit with smouldering charcoal to cook different dishes on the menu.After a delightful amuse-bouche which was white chocolate balls filled with spiced pani-puri water, I immediately moved to the small plates. Morels Stuffed uses the rare Kashmiri Morels (mushrooms) grown in the forests of the Himalayas. These are stuffed with smoked mushroom mince and served with Nachini and Walnut soil on a sliced wood tray. The plating is inspired by the forest floor where the mushrooms are grown naturally. This dish was a complete winner right from the taste and texture of the morels to th the innovative plating. The delicious Kurkuri Arbi (Colocassia root fritters topped with cranberries, onion and tomato chutney and crispy colocassia leaves) and the fresh Yoghurt Clouds (Spheres of yoghurt topped with tamarind chutney served in a potato basket) hit the right spot. Being a mutton fan, I couldn’t resist the delectable and perfectly spiced Mutton Kakori Kebabs followed by the Mutton Chops which were cooked to perfection.Among the large dishes, my first choice was Deomali, a mutton curry cooked in bamboo and served with jasmine rice wrapped in Alpinia leaf. This delicious dish finds inspiration from the chef’s travels to the Deomali Mountains in Odisha. My other favorites were the lip-smacking Hay Smoked Jungli Murgi served with hearty Jowar Rotis and the Pearl Potatoes (Badami Dum Aloo) served with soft Dahi ki Khamiri Roti. Though the Aussie Nalli (Australian Lamb Shank) was presented beautifully and accompanied perfectly by pearl potatoes, spinach chutney, black rice and gravy, I would have preferred it to be more tender.Throughout the Arth menu, you will find some extremely unique dishes, but nothing can be more unique than Gosht Ka Halwa in the Desserts section. This delicious and fragrant halwa is a lost recipe and mince lamb was the only ingredient the server revealed. I couldn’t resist but indulge in the Angoor Rabdi (Cottage cheese dumplings in Rabdi) served on phyllo nests and Kaali Gajar Ka Halwa (Black Carrot Pudding), both of which are highly recommended.

PLUS & MINUS

With innovative and ingredient forward food, impeccable plating, luxurious ambiance, and hospitality to match, Arth manages to take the modern Indian cuisine experience to a whole new level.

Must Try Dishes: Morels Stuffed, Kurkuri Arbi, Deomali, Hay Smoked Jungli Murgi, Gosht Ka Halwa

Meal for Two: Rs. 1500
Address: The Westin Pune Koregaon Park, 36/ 3-B, Mundhwa Road, Koregaon Park Annexe, Ghorpadi, Pune 411001
Contact: 9145550001
Timings: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm; 7:00 pm – 1:30 am