Double Tree By Hilton, Pune Offers Luxury Dining Experience During Your Stay

I associate vacations with relaxation, whether it’s a tranquil stay or indulging in soul-satisfying cuisine. Like many others, I have high standards when it comes to dining during my trips. During my recent visit to Pune, I opted to stay at DoubleTree By Hilton, and it turned into a truly heavenly dining experience. I was pleasantly surprised to discover a wide range of culinary options all under one roof.

Upon arrival, I was greeted with a warm, freshly-baked cookie from their in-house bakery, ‘Tarta.’ It was a delightful treat that melted in my mouth, offering a comforting burst of flavors and setting the stage for a delightful culinary journey.

To shake off the fatigue from my travels, I savored a steaming cup of masala tea and indulged in some filling club sandwiches at their all-day diner, ‘3 Spices.’ Afterward, I embarked on a tour of the hotel and was genuinely impressed by its contemporary interiors and elegant furnishings. DoubleTree By Hilton strategically sits on the old Mumbai-Pune highway, in the heart of Pune’s corporate hub, Chinchwad. It was evident that many business travelers had chosen this hotel for their stay.

Following a much-needed rest, I made my way to ‘Level 12,’ a rooftop resto-bar, for dinner. The restaurant’s uber-luxe ambiance immediately won me over. It features two levels, with a spacious bar and cabanas on the top level and more formal seating on the bottom level. The panoramic view of the city’s twinkling lights, paired with some expertly crafted cocktails, instantly lifted my spirits. However, the pièce de résistance was unquestionably the food!

‘Level 12’ specializes in presenting Indian delicacies in their purest form. My culinary journey commenced with ‘Cheese Corn Kurkure,’ a dish that lived up to its name, offering a delightful blend of cheesiness and crispiness. ‘Mutton Pepper Fry’ featured tender mutton accompanied by flavorful vegetables. However, it was ‘Thecha Aloo,’ potato bites on a matchstick, that stole the show.

If you have an affinity for ‘Paneer Lababdar,’ you must try it here. Creamy, ball-shaped paneer in a tangy gravy takes this dish to new heights and tops my list of recommendations. I was equally enamored with the Andhra dishes that followed. ‘Nellore Chepala Pulusu’ (Andhra Fish Curry) and ‘Palakura Pappu’ (spinach-infused dal) were exceptionally delicious. While ‘Mutton Malli Masala’ proved a tad chewy for my palate, ‘Andhra Chicken Curry’ was an absolute delight.

The following morning, I indulged in a buffet breakfast at ‘3 Spices.’ The spread offered a wide variety of Indian, Asian, and Continental delights. My ‘Eggs Benedict’ were superb, as was the coffee. The croissant was slightly dry, but the tea cakes were impressively soft and fluffy. I also sampled South Indian ‘poha’ and ‘idli sambar,’ both of which were quite enjoyable.

After a hearty breakfast and a rejuvenating spa session at ‘Tattva Spa,’ I eagerly anticipated my lunch at ‘Miyuki,’ the hotel’s Japanese restaurant. I was particularly fond of ‘Horenso Gomae,’ a spinach and sesame salad that was refreshingly unique with a slightly pungent kick. ‘Miso Shiro’ soup impressed with its rich flavors. ‘Veg Ebi Tempura’ with avocado and cheese presented the best cream cheese sushi I’ve ever had, while the prawn tempura was decent but not exceptional. ‘Salmon Carpaccio’ was a visual and flavorful delight, striking a perfect balance of flavors, and the salmon tasted exceptionally fresh.

The highlight of the lunch was undoubtedly the live ‘teppanyaki’ cooking session, complete with entertaining theatrics. The chef prepared ‘veg Udon noodles’ paired with spiced chicken, and the combination was nothing short of lip-smacking.