Pune on My Plate: What made Aamir Khan recommend this special biryani from Pune’s 3-decade-old iconic eatery?

What initially started as a limited menu of Mutton Hyderabadi Biryani and Gavran Chicken Biryani, adapted over time to offer a wide range of options. Their specialty, however, happens to be the very famous Aamir Khan Mutton Dum Biryani. The dish earned fame after the Bollywood actor tasted and recommended it himself. For its 25th anniversary, the restaurant had served Khan with a special version inspired by his mother’s recipe – a slow-cooked rice with marinated mutton, basmati rice, ghee, and dry fruits.

The place is also the go-to spot for celebrities like Amruta Khanvilkar and Ashok Saraf.

The specialty at SP Biryani happens to be the Aamir Khan Mutton Dum Biryani which was personally recommended by the actor. (Express photo)

Serving around 2,000 customers daily, the restaurant prepares its biryani in two large batches to ensure freshness and consistency throughout the day. Their prominent dishes include Mal Mal Mutton Biryani, Afghani Biryani, as well as Mutton and Chicken Nalli Nihari. Inspired by its sister diner, Nisarg, the restaurant also specialises in a range of seafood items such as bombil fry and prawns koliwada. Amongst these, their special sukhat chutney and solkadhi are customer staples.

Part of the place’s appeal lies in its simplicity. Despite being a three-storey restaurant, the setting remains modest with metal plates and glasses. When asked, they said that it is this very practice that gives Punekars a sense of belonging. Being a family-run enterprise, they manage a single branch to ensure the quality of service. Many of its long-time staff members have been a part of the team for over a decade.

Owner Harshwardhan Chorghe emphasised the restaurant’s focus on maintaining standards. “We value the quality of our food above all. Everything from the raw materials used to the masalas is of the highest quality and made in-house. Every batch of biryani is tasted to make sure it is cooked to perfection,” he said.

(Sanika Deshpande is an intern with The Indian Express.)