Snack time at Take 5

PUNE, May 29: Take 5 has gone where few pizza and burger joints have dared to go - in the Deccan area. It is located on Ghole road just befo...

PUNE, May 29: Take 5 has gone where few pizza and burger joints have dared to go 8211; in the Deccan area. It is located on Ghole road just before it hits Fergusson College road. In fact as you turn in from the Fergusson College road, it8217;s hard to miss this neat and inviting place done up tastefully in blue and beige with a huge signboard assuring you that you have arrived at the right place.

Comfortably seated in the open air ground floor space an air-conditioned seating space on the first floor will be open in another two weeks, with a jazz number in the background, you have a choice of eight vegetarian and an equal number of non-vegetarian pizzas to choose from.

Available in two sizes 8211; 88221; and 128221; 8211; for the veggies, Paneer Tikka which is cottage cheese, baked with coriander leaves and chillies and Deluxe Vegetable comprising American corn, mushroom, olives, and capsicum could be the right choices. Italiana, that is a pizza topped with chicken sausage, onion, capsicum, basil and paprika and Take 5 special consisting of chicken sausage, chicken salami roast chicken with onion, garlic and herbs are highly recommended for the carnivores. Priced from Rs 65 to 120 for the smaller pizzas and between Rs 115 and 210 for the larger ones, the eatery seems to have come up with just the right formula for deliciously different pizzas. 8220;We lay a lot of emphasis on two things 8211; the base which has to be just right and on preparing it with care which makes all the difference to the taste,8221; smiles Simon Abraham, general manager operations, who has moved base from Mumbai to take charge of this new venture.

With his young and enthusiastic team of boys helping him run the show, Abraham asserts that the popularity of the place will be based on its atmosphere that has a touch of jazz to it and in their readiness to innovate with the menu according to the choice of his clients. This even includes serving different toppings on one pizza. 8220;The idea is to give total value for money,8221; he reiterates. 8220;The customers are even welcome to visit the kitchen to ascertain the high standards of hygiene that we are committed to.8221;

Take 5 also has a dial-a-pizza service that goes right upto Khadki till CME much to the convenience of pizza lovers on that side of the river. The menu also comprises crisp French fries, a wide range of juicy burgers and canned cold drinks. Open from 10.30 am to 11 pm the nascent eatery is clearly banking on the crowd from the colleges around the area for its real success.

With a capacity to seat over a 100, an easy on the eye decor with emphasis on wooden panelling and above all the ambience of general bonhomie pervading over the place they do look all set to make a hit with youngsters with a taste for good food, good music and good times.

Sunanda Mehta

Sunanda Mehta is the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Pune. She is a distinguished journalist, columnist, and author with over three decades of experience in the media industry. Educational background: A merit-lister in her 12 th in CBSE (5th rank in Humanities) Sunanda stood first in History in the Board for which she was awarded the Dr Tarachand Gold Medal. She is a triple-graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (History Honours) from Lady Shri Ram College, New Delhi, Bachelor of Education, Delhi University (on scholarship) and Bachelor of Communication and Journalism, University of Pune. Professional Background Role: As Resident Editor, she oversees the Pune edition of The Indian Express, managing local news coverage, investigative features, and editorial direction for the city. Author: She is an accomplished author, known for her biographies. Her notable books include: The Extraordinary Life and Death of Sunanda Pushkar published by Pan Macmillan (2019). The book was long-listed for the Atta Galatta award for nonfiction and Auther award for best debut author. Majestic Musings - Translation of poems from 100 year old Badshaian from Punjabi to English (2023) Behind the Big Screen- the untold stories of child actors published by Bloomsbury India (2024) Focus Areas: While Sunanda has reported on various subjects from civic to political to investigative and crime, her forte remains long-form human-interest stories, heritage and gender issues. Core Column: "Against All Odds" Sunanda curates and writes a signature series titled "Against All Odds," which profiles individuals who have overcome significant personal, medical, or professional challenges. Recent notable articles (2025) The Story of Dr. Harinder Dhaliwal (July 2025): A Pune AFMC topper who became a neurologist in Canada despite becoming paraplegic. Jayoo Patwardhan’s Cancer Journey (Jan 2025): How the National Film Award-winning designer defeated cancer. Partha Iyengar’s Emergency mid-air (Aug 2025): The story of how Gartner’s India head survived a massive heart attack during a long-haul flight. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage continues to explore deep personal narratives and Pune’s socio-environmental landscape: 1. Personal Narratives & Closure "'I grieved for him 10 years after his murder, found closure to unsolved case'" (Dec 14, 2025): A poignant feature on Vineet Alurkar, son of the late Pune music legend Suresh Alurkar, and how digitizing his father’s collection helped him heal. "A 40-day journey home: how Christopher Benninger's partner gave him the gift of memories" (Nov 23, 2025): A moving tribute to the late acclaimed architect Christopher Benninger and his final trip to the US. "'After 38 years I finally met my biological mother'" (Sept 28, 2025): Chronicling the journey of an adopted daughter from Zurich searching for her roots in Pune. 2. Civic & Heritage "'Vetal Tekdi belongs to common citizens'" (Oct 20, 2025): An interview with environmental activist Dr. Sushma Date on the community-led protection of Pune’s vital green lungs. "'Military village' Apshinge recalls living through war days" (Aug 12, 2025): A report from a village in Maharashtra where nearly every household has a member in the armed forces, focusing on their legacy and current anxieties. 3. High-Profile Commentary & Investigations "Malegaon blast acquittals: 'I was expecting this verdict'" (July 31, 2025): An interview with former special public prosecutor Rohini Salian following the controversial acquittals. "Grounded, license cancelled... she decided to soar higher" (March 30, 2025): The story of Dr. Harpreet A De Singh, Air India’s first woman pilot from 1988, and her transition to leadership and meditation. Signature Style Sunanda Mehta is known for her empathetic storytelling. Unlike standard news reporting, her features often read like narrative non-fiction, focusing on the psychological and emotional resilience of her subjects. One of her articles in The Indian Express titled 'The Quality of Mercy' was converted into a film Rubaru Roshini produced by actor Aamir Khan. She is a strong advocate for Pune's heritage and environment, frequently using her platform to amplify citizen-led movements. X (Twitter): @sunandamehta and @ExpressPune ... Read More