Fast n Fresh
Pan Asian
Food: 4 | Service: 3.5 | Décor: 3
DÉCOR
The décor is simple and elegant with comfortable wooden tables and chairs. At the entrance large bamboos are installed along with bamboos planters all across the space. One whole side of the restaurant is glass windows with full length curtains. These beige and white curtains create a comfortable vibe. All through the day, the place is lit up by natural light from the glass windows. The beautiful black ceramic plates and bowls with an elegant red floral design and accompanying black metal cutlery are great additions and add another element to the otherwise light coloured decor.
FOOD
The concept of Fast n Fresh is to serve quick, on-the-go meals which are perfect for busy professionals looking for a quick meal. True to the theme, the menu includes quick bites and appetizers alongside meal bowls and combos. The cuisine is Pan Asian with a few Indian curry combos.
We started with the Basket of Dim Sum and asked for the vegetarian and chicken variants. The dim sums looked beautiful and tasted equally good. The Golden fried seafood included fresh prawns, fish and calamari. A take on the Japanese tempura, the seafood was fried to perfection and served with a spicy and tangy schezwan dip. We also tried the currently in trend, Crispy Lotus Stem which was tossed in a sweet and spicy honey sauce. The lotus stem was fried right to make is extra crunchy. This one was definitely our top pick among the appetizers.
There are a lot of options to choose from in the mains which are balanced meal bowls made from fresh and healthy ingredients. We started with Veg Khow Suey and traditional Burmese broth with coconut milk, boiled noodles and vegetables. Crushed peanuts, chili flakes, bean sprouts, fried garlic and fresh coriander were served alongside the khow suey as accompaniments. The broth was mild yet extremely flavourful and the accompaniments definitely helped to enhance the taste. The Stir Fried Vegetables were served as a mild vegetable curry with broccoli, zucchini and bell peppers along with a portion of burnt garlic fried rice. The mild curry and the aromatic rice was a great combination and highly recommended for vegetarians. The Chicken Thai Red Curry served with steamed rice came next. The use of fresh ingredients like galangal, lemon grass and kaffir lime leaves was evident in the taste and flavor of the curry. As a Thai cuisine fan, I have had a fair share of red curries in the past. This one was definitely one of the best ones in the city.
They don’t have a desert menu, but they do serve Tiramisu. The tiramisu was delightfully creamy and absolutely delicious. It was a perfect way to end the meal.
PLUS & MINUS
Staying true to the theme, Fast n Fresh serves great food with service to match. The staff was extremely hospitable and the service was quick. The menu is simple and effective, but lacks innovation. Priced between Rs. 500-600, some meal combos are a bit expensive.
Must Try Dishes: Dim Sums, Crispy Lotus Stem, Golden Fried Seafood, Khow Suey, Thai Red Curry, Tiramisu
Meal for Two: Rs. 1400
Address: Hotel Crowne Plaza City Centre, Bund Garden Road, Next to Jehangir Hospital, Pune 411001
Contact: 020 67248181
Timings: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Photo Courtesy: Fast n Fresh
Note:
This review was first published in Pune Times on 13 December 2019.