Oktoberfest has gripped the city with excitement and is still keeping its head above the water in spite of Navratri and veg only restrictions. Botequim Cervejaria has decided to take it up a notch and has, in my opinion, given us the best food and beer combination of Pune. This amazing open-air Bohemian styled rooftop pub is like the hip, fun-loving well-travelled sister of the incredible Brazillian eatery (Boteco), retaining the crazy good food while slathering on a full-on party vibe and a superlative selection of craft beers and drinks.
Beers:
Craft beers are my favourite thing to drink in the world and Botequim Cervejaria spoils you with a choice. 12 or so beers from more than 5 beer companies (from Pune and Mumbai) with a diverse and delicious range of flavours. My absolute favourites were the Neipa from Great State Ale Works, Bridge to UtoIPA from Yavasura and La Java Coffee Lager by the Bombay Duck Brewing Company. The citrusy refreshing IPA and the creamy, intense dark lager with a delicious coffee flavour and a foamy thick head, these beers were incredible. The Basil Peppercorn Witbier from Yavasura too definitely needs special mention.
Food:
Man, we were bombarded with incredible dishes one after the other and the quality and taste of the food here is just incomparable. Almost no dish was bad and in fact, so many of them were so mind-blowing, I'm already craving for them as I write.
Oktoberfest Specials:
The Lemon Thyme Roast Chicken (whole) was definitely on the top of the list. It just looked so incredible and festive. Juicy chicken with a beautiful crust of spices and smoke. It was stuffed with garlic, onion, thyme and pepper. So fragrant! On opening it up the juices flowed out exposing the fall off the bone juicy meat, the aroma just filling up our noses. The taste was just incredible, so soul-satisfying! Do whatever you have to, but have to try this for sure!
Wurstl was a delicious platter of superb smoky juicy pork sausages topped with pickles, served with fresh bread and amazing salsa sauce. The Brezen or pretzels was another Oktoberfest favourite. Soft and slightly chewy, amazing salt on top. What a combination with mustard, butter and the beers!
Schweinebraten or Roast Pork was juicy, uber meaty, fatty and delicious. The skin was a bit chewy, but a treat for pork lovers. The Beer Battered Chicken wings were super crispy and juicy but need a bit more flavour.
Signature Dishes:
Pao de Queijo is a traditional fresh Brazilian bread filled with gooey soft cheese - incredible! The Casava Chips were crispy and morish. Pork Momos (apparently there is a huge Asian influence in Brazil) were so juicy, meaty and flavourful, definitely one of my favourite dishes.
The Dynamite Fish was crispy, juicy and just bathed in flavourful sauces. The Bacon Wrapped Prawns were amazing too, crispy bacon, fresh succulent prawns but the sauce was a bit difficult to reach on the bottom.
Overall just a mad selection of dishes that were so soul-satisfying and delicious. One of the best food experiences of my life, genuinely. If you are a hardcore carnivore, this place cannot be missed!
Dessert:
The Churros Sandwich was decent. The churros had gone a bit soggy due to the ice cream, had they been a bit crispier, it would have tasted nice. The Cheesecake was amazing, with a tangy kiwi sauce on top!
Verdict:
I'm not gonna say anything, just take a look at the photos and tell me if you can resist this beast of a food experience. I can't wait to go here at night, when the music is full blast, party and chow on this amazing food and quench my thirst with some amazing craft beer!
Beers:
Craft beers are my favourite thing to drink in the world and Botequim Cervejaria spoils you with a choice. 12 or so beers from more than 5 beer companies (from Pune and Mumbai) with a diverse and delicious range of flavours. My absolute favourites were the Neipa from Great State Ale Works, Bridge to UtoIPA from Yavasura and La Java Coffee Lager by the Bombay Duck Brewing Company. The citrusy refreshing IPA and the creamy, intense dark lager with a delicious coffee flavour and a foamy thick head, these beers were incredible. The Basil Peppercorn Witbier from Yavasura too definitely needs special mention.
Food:
Man, we were bombarded with incredible dishes one after the other and the quality and taste of the food here is just incomparable. Almost no dish was bad and in fact, so many of them were so mind-blowing, I'm already craving for them as I write.
Oktoberfest Specials:
The Lemon Thyme Roast Chicken (whole) was definitely on the top of the list. It just looked so incredible and festive. Juicy chicken with a beautiful crust of spices and smoke. It was stuffed with garlic, onion, thyme and pepper. So fragrant! On opening it up the juices flowed out exposing the fall off the bone juicy meat, the aroma just filling up our noses. The taste was just incredible, so soul-satisfying! Do whatever you have to, but have to try this for sure!
Wurstl was a delicious platter of superb smoky juicy pork sausages topped with pickles, served with fresh bread and amazing salsa sauce. The Brezen or pretzels was another Oktoberfest favourite. Soft and slightly chewy, amazing salt on top. What a combination with mustard, butter and the beers!
Schweinebraten or Roast Pork was juicy, uber meaty, fatty and delicious. The skin was a bit chewy, but a treat for pork lovers. The Beer Battered Chicken wings were super crispy and juicy but need a bit more flavour.
Signature Dishes:
Pao de Queijo is a traditional fresh Brazilian bread filled with gooey soft cheese - incredible! The Casava Chips were crispy and morish. Pork Momos (apparently there is a huge Asian influence in Brazil) were so juicy, meaty and flavourful, definitely one of my favourite dishes.
The Dynamite Fish was crispy, juicy and just bathed in flavourful sauces. The Bacon Wrapped Prawns were amazing too, crispy bacon, fresh succulent prawns but the sauce was a bit difficult to reach on the bottom.
Overall just a mad selection of dishes that were so soul-satisfying and delicious. One of the best food experiences of my life, genuinely. If you are a hardcore carnivore, this place cannot be missed!
Dessert:
The Churros Sandwich was decent. The churros had gone a bit soggy due to the ice cream, had they been a bit crispier, it would have tasted nice. The Cheesecake was amazing, with a tangy kiwi sauce on top!
Verdict:
I'm not gonna say anything, just take a look at the photos and tell me if you can resist this beast of a food experience. I can't wait to go here at night, when the music is full blast, party and chow on this amazing food and quench my thirst with some amazing craft beer!