31 January,2011 10:43 AM IST | | Ashishwang Godha
It's strawberry season and what better time to enjoy some berry delicious desserts? Ashishwang Godha guides you on the perfect strawberry dessert trail
The perfect cheesecakes
Sweet Chariot has two fresh strawberry desserts on their shelves. The Strawberry Mousse (Rs 45) is simply an oversweetened, essence-added gel. But the Strawberry Cheesecake (Rs 45) is much better with a crumbly biscuit base that adds the right crunch to the smoothness of the cheesecake that sits on it.u00a0
At Shop No 1, MIT Corner, Koregaon Park. Also at Viman Nagar, FC Road, Wanowrie.
Call 9822556234
A mouthful of heaven
Mahabaleshwar's iconic fast food joint, Bagicha, makes strawberry season worthwhile even in Pune. With strawberry paper lined walls and their staff busy chopping the fruit, Bagicha is truly strawberry land. They apparently grow their own berry and it is brought fresh from Mahabaleshwar everyday. Try the deliciously refreshing Fresh Strawberry and Mint Juice (Rs 70). Or if you love the fruit in its entirety, go for the Strawberry Pulp. If it's a dessert you are looking for, try their famous Fresh Strawberry and Cream (Rs 75). But if it's something unusual, opt for the Fresh Strawberry Cocktail (Rs 100). This is a tall glass topped with sliced strawberries, sprinkled with chocolate chips and layered with strawberry chunks, chocolate ice-cream and fresh cream. A mouthful of heaven, we say.
At Shop 11, Tain Square, Fatima Nagar.
Call 9420632786u00a0
Sinful vegetarian treats
Baker's Basket keeps the vegetarians in mind. Their egg-free Strawberry Cheesecake (Rs 60) makes up for the lack of depth by infusing itself with fresh fruit chunks. Ditto the Strawberry Mousse (Rs 40), a round, smooth delight generously layered with strawberry preserve as well as fresh fruit. But it is the Strawberry Tart (Rs 30) that is the showstopper here. Though the tart shell itself could have been crisper and less doughy, it is made up by the thin line of chocolate coating, strawberry cream and fresh fruits held together by gelatin.u00a0
At 206, near Bishop's School, Kalyani Nagar. Also at Camp, Deccan, Wanowrie, Aundh and Kothrud.
Call 65611738
For melt-in-the-mouth pastries
They are the people who do justice to a simple Strawberry Pastry (Rs 101). Layered with sponge, fresh cream and strawberries, this is unusually light. Take a bite of the pastry and it melts in your mouth. Sponge, cream and strawberries make a feather-light and fairy-smooth blend.
At Caramel, Vivanta Blue Diamond Pune by Taj, 11, Koregaon Road. call 66025555
