Review: Copper Chimney, Pune

Food • • 3rd August, 2012 • 8 Comments • Tweet

Verdict: Apt for family dinners. Skip the starters, go straight for the main course.
Rating: 2.5/5

Table for Two: Rs 1500-1700
Address: Near Post 91, Lane 7, Koregaon Park, Pune
Timing: 12pm – 3.30pm, 7pm – 11.30pm

Copper Chimney is brought to Pune by the same guys as Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (review) and Spaghetti Kitchen (review) and for the standard that the other two joints had set, Copper Chimney was disappointing.

From their fresh fruit margaritas, we tried the Peach & Apricot one. Although the fruits went well with each other, the ice wasn’t finely crushed. One sip into the drink and we had a mouthful of ice to chew through. And when we asked for a glass of Sula Brut, oddly enough, we were asked whether we wanted a red or champagne.

Copper Chimney offers the perfect ambience for a family dinner, complete with motifs from the Mughal era. When a restaurant that promises to offer the dining experience of the Mughal era, one expects their kebabs to be impeccable. When we realised that their menu had missed out on the quintessential Galouti Kebabs and Kheema, our hearts skipped a beat. Fingers crossed, from what was on their menu, we ordered the Panchrangi Kebab (non-veg platter). Although the Boti Kebab was well marinated the meat lacked tenderness. The Malai Kebabs (reshmi tikka) too could have been softer, juicer. The fish tikka and the seekh kebabs were forgettable. Hopes dashed, expectations shattered.

Reeling under the disappointment of the starters, we decided to play it safe for the main course. Their specialty – Murg Makhani, Copper Chimney’s all time favourite Butter Chicken, the flavours were to the tee but the gravy could’ve been a tad more creamier. Ditto for the Malai Kofta. After this, their Dal Maharaja (Dal Makhani) came as a pleasant surprise and we’d say is a must have.

In case you’re ordering a biryani, be sure to mention which one you’d like to be served. When we asked for some biryani, with mutton biryani in our minds obviously, the waiter was swift enough to bring us a portion of vegetarian biryani without double checking. They did however get us the expected order once we corrected them. The mutton was well cooked and overall, the biryani was pretty decent.

For dessert we had their Ras Malai. The cardamom-flavoured clotted cream balls lacked the softness that they are synonymous with. Their texture was more like that of a Rasgulla.

Copper Chimney also has outlets in Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi and the patrons there swear by it. However, if you thought Copper Chimney in Pune was going to set a new benchmark for North Indian Cuisine in city, you will be let down.

  • arunbhaskar

    eaten over 50 times in Mumbai through the years. have to say Pune comes close and is in the top 3 Indian restaurants here. Galouti has NEVER been on their menu … the reshmi is good, the butter chicken is awesome. Desert – purely the phirni. The biryani is different and as good as you can get. Try their version of the Chelo Kebab next time – not like george or blue nile, this one comes sopping wet and delicious.

    • http://sahilk.in/ Sahil Khan

      We’ve never eaten at any of the other branches. But had heard a lot. Anyway, about the galouti kebabs, our point was that if a restaurant is promising to make us taste the Mughal wonders of the kitchen, kheema and galouti kebabs cannot be skipped then.

      I’m from Lucknow. So let’s not even start comparing the reshmi tikka, butter chicken and biryani. We’ve given our view points on them above already.

      As for the the phirni or cello kebabs, might try them next time.

      • arunbhaskar

        Agree on the Kheema and Galouti although if you can’t do the real thing imitations like in 90% of restaurants are def not welcome! The butter chicken and ‘fry pan biryani’ are def amongst the best in the city … as for lucknow lets leave it there … you don’t necessarily go looking for Puran Poli in Delhi!

        • http://sahilk.in/ Sahil Khan

          Of course, no one goes about looking for puran poli in Delhi, but if a place tells you they’re bringing you the puran poli from the Maharashtrian kitchens, you expect it to be *the* puran poli. :)

          • arunbhaskar

            cool. better luck next time … btw on a complete separate issue … as a food critic, whats your viewpoint on a waiter’s darling – Mineral Water … before you sit they try to shove it! Even at Copper Chimney although we said no, after 10 mins he came and just opened a bottle and put it there!!!!

          • http://sahilk.in/ Sahil Khan

            I believe you’re referring to bottled water. Either way, some people prefer that over tap water for various reasons. So no harm done if the waiter does ask for your preferences. As for the waiter at CC doing this, that’s hilarious!

          • anish

            ate here yesterday. What food … brilliant food. The chello lamb kabab and the lamb chops were fantastic. Best Indian in Pune

          • http://sahilk.in/ Sahil Khan

            Shall make a visit once again. Soon.