Free Bird

Dining constantly out with family or large group of friends may often lead you up to monthly bankruptcy. Let’s admit, dining out can take a toll on your pockets so it’s wise to choose the pocket-friendly eateries once in a while to save yourself a bundle. Pune is known as gastronomically rich city but it can also leave you with a burning hole in your pocket. To balance things up Pune play host to several great budget-friendly restaurants and here we are targeting one of them. Known as ‘Free Bird’ to many, the restaurant is a good choice to dine at when you are looking for a low-key but substantial dining. If it’s one thing the restaurant is known for, its affordability. Its location on Pune-Nagar Road, Wagholi falls a bit away from the city but makes for a wonderful drive.

The menu of Free Bird is a mouth-watering blend of North Indian and South Indian with a smattering of fast food delicacies. This family-style restaurant is known to serve good wholesome food for cheap prices, a boon in a city like Pune. Menu holds all the usual suspects of North Indian, South Indian cuisines. Drive down to sample their food or call to get it delivered to your home, either way you will find the food delicious. There is plenty to choose from. Start with the appetizers like, hara bhara kebab, lemon coriander soup, murgh pahadi kebab, chicken lollypop, paneer zafrani tikka and pomfret tawa fry. Move onto the mains with, paneer mutter masala, fish goan curry, murgh Maratha, Thai green curry with rice, egg masala, murgh kolhapuri, mutton bhuna and malwani prawns curry.

The best time to go to Free Bird is in the evenings when the whole place lights up with bright lights. This is a wonderful place to throw a small garden party for friends away from the hustle-bustle of the city. If possible sit in the garden area and watch the sun set or if you like your comforts then their indoor dining space is great as well. Beige-coloured décor is uplifted by the use of sharp LED lights in multiple colours. Seating is casual but proper with smart formal dining tables to add to your comfort. Focus remains on the food not the décor as it should be.