Pune keeps getting new additions to its rich culinary landscape. The newest addition is a Lebanese specialty restaurant in Kalyani Nagar. This new restaurant is aptly named Halloumi. To those who are new to this vast cuisine, Halloumi is a cheese used in Lebanese cuisine quite extensively. One look at this new restaurant in Pune, and you know that it’s a place to chill, but a first glance at their menu assures you that they’re super serious about their Lebanese grub too!
This cuisine is a lot beyond your regular Shawarma and Hummus; and we went there to explore it further. Read further to know what all we tried at Halloumi in Kalyani Nagar;
1. Chicken Shish Tawook: This is a very famous and stale grill recipe from Lebanon. Served with fries, garlic sauce and a chilli paste; the grilled chicken is marinated in curd, lemon, garlic and mild spices. Unimaginably tender pieces of grilled chicken and the rich flavourful dips along make for a great snacking dish. Freshly fried fries add the right crunch and make for great nibbling. And no, they are not Chicken Tikkas! The addition of sauce-washed pita bread at the bottom is way too good to kind of turn this dish into a meal!
2. Lamb Shish Kebab: Again, going by the images, don’t think it is seekh kebab. Lebanese cuisine is all about mild flavours and aromatic spices. Along with minced mutton, onions and peppers are also chopped and added to this mince. Slowly chargrilled to get a nice shine and served with saffron rice, these Lamb Shish Kebabs are so flagrantly flavourful. You don’t need a lot of spice and chilli to enjoy this meat. These meaty kebabs are so light on your palate and stomach both. It’s a mini meal when combined with the garlic sauce, not-so-spicy chilli dip and pita at the bottom of the Kebab!
3. Zaatar Cheese Manakeesh: This flatbread is a close cousin of the Italian Pizza. But the Zaatar spice mix takes this dish to another level. Manakeesh is another staple in Lebanese cuisine. Freshly rolled flatbread is smothered with Zaatar spice mix, loads of mozzarella and a drizzle of olive oil before going in the hot oven. It’s a light tea time snack you can enjoy in the evening. Zaatar spice mix is the real thing!
4. Chicken Mandi: Don’t call it biryani. Mandi is completely different from Biryani where a whole marinated chicken leg is grilled separately and served on top of fragrant rice. A very delicately flavoured dish where original flavours of the chicken and rice are supposed to shine. For those looking for a healthy and filling meal, Chicken Mandi serves as the right option as it is very low on oil and spices. The fried onions on top do give it a biryani feel, but one bite and it will give you a completely different experience!
5. Malahabia: These middle-eastern cuisines are great with their desserts. And apart from Baklava, Kunafa; Malahabia is one dessert we have unheard of! Made simply of milk and sugar, this creamy but light custard is so wobbly! The refreshing bite of this cold dessert is what you need this summer after a flavourful Lebanese meal!
All the above mentioned 5 dishes are completely different from each other. But Halloumi gets them all perfect. If you haven’t explored Lebanese cuisine beyond hummus and shawarma, Halloumi is that speciality Lebanese restaurant in Pune for you to plan your next dining!
Address: Halloumi, Ground Floor, Goodwill Enclave, Kalyani Nagar, Pune.
Contact: 9820377866
