Celeb-r-eat

ZK’s : Zaheer Khan

It’s in the name. Owned by cricketer Zaheer Khan,the restaurant started its business in 2005. The multi-cuisine restaurant serves Indian,Continental and South Asian dishes. From Pastas and North Indian Curries,to Kebabs,Biryanis,Indian Desserts and South Asians preparations the place has it all. Its signature dishes include Zaheer’s favorite Makai Palak and Boondi ki sauzi. Other specialties are Murg Makhan Palakwala,Sunehri Kebab,Gilafi Kebab. “Our desserts Fruit Rabdi,Desi Kulfi with Chikki Sauce is very popular among our customers,” says Sudhir Mani,corporate manager,operations,ZK’s.

When asked why he chose Pune for his restaurant,Khan says,”A pace bowler is always susceptible to injuries and his career,very often,does not extend beyond 35 years of age. There has to be something to fall back on,after a cricketing career and,for me,food seemed the obvious choice since it is something I am interested in.”

Yellow Chilli : Sanjeev Kapoor

A hot favorite among his female fans,Sanjeev Kapoor is almost synonymous to good food. His brand of the Yellow Chilli Restaurant in Koregaon Park is equally popular among women,who make sure that they approach the restaurant manager Naveen Rajwal and ask for either Kapoor’s recipe book,a meeting with him or even his autograph. “We have opened a counter where we sell Sanjeev Kapoor’s receipe books,pre-mixes by him and his pickle recipes especially for our female guests. We also gift recipe cards to them,” says Rajwal. Kapoor’s signature dish Lulla Mussa Dal is a favourite among the customers. “Kapoor has given the recipe for all the items served here,” adds Rajwal.

Sarjaa : Mangeshkars

The first celebrity-owned restaurant in the city,Sarjaa,still boasts of a long and loyal clientele,who have not only been regular patrons of restaurant but have also taken pride in being associated with the restaurant that belongs to one of the country’s most revered and respected families-The Mangeshkars. Stared in 1996,the restaurant,unlike common expectation,serves North Indian,Chinese and continental dishes. “Mangeshkars always said that the restaurant is for people and their choice,not our choice,is important. Therefore we serve what people want and not what we like,hence North Indian food. Whenever the Mangeshkars come to Pune they usually come here and have Dahi Khichdi and Kadhi,” says Ranjit Shetty,general manager of the restaurant. In the past 15 years,the menu has not seen many changes. “People ask for the same dishes so we are forced to maintain our menu. Butter Chicken,though a common dish,is a specialty here because of its taste and quantity,” he adds.

Hridaynath Mangeshkar says,“The busniess wast a planned one. I am not even a foodie,thouh I like the khichdi served there. More than me,my sisters,who eat non-vegetarian food also go there,in fact,they like the food. My partner and the management looks after it.”