Not just biryanis

Again, we pre-judged the menu for consisting of average Indian fare and they proved us wrong. We began with an interestingly named Chicken Brownie Kebab (Rs 180). We were informed that they are so named because of their colour. Soon, a plate with bright red chicken tikkas arrived. The portions were generous, well-spiced and served with a perfect side of marinated onions. While they weren't brownies per se, we loved it anyway.

Next came the Chicken Masalau00a0(Rs 170). This one was done in the spicy Maharashtrian style that Pune, in spite of being a Maratha city, doesn't serve up too often. What we absolutely fell for were the Rotis (Rs 15). These were not your regular maida ones or even ones masking as whole wheat, these were actually soft, fresh, whole wheat rotis.

Though we didn't have space for much more since the portions were quite enough for a meal for two, duty beckoned. We nibbled on a nice Mutton Keshar Biryani (Rs 230) piled so high that we couldn't serve ourselves without messing the table. The meat was succulent and the flavour bowled us over. As did the fresh raita that came with it.u00a0

Not the ones to enjoy rice preparations without a dal or a gravy, we had ordered the Dal Tadkau00a0(Rs 70). It came with a layer of spice fried with garlic and made a super meal with home-made steamed rice the day after.u00a0They may have named themselves after biryanis but Deccan Biryanis is far beyond just the 10 odd biryanis that they list.