The recently-opened “Stone Water Grill” in Koregaon Park (just past ABC Farms) is apparently where the ‘beautiful people’ of Pune are going these days. Thinking (or hoping) that we would fit in, we went along. And then, two weeks’ later, we went back. Says it all really!
Ambience [rating:5/5]
In terms of ambience, Stone Water Grill is in a completely different league from other restaurants in Pune. My first view of the place, from the top of the entrance steps, took my breath away: its outdoor dining section and bar area are brought to life with sparkling lights, water features and, in the bar section, tall wooden pillars. For some reason the scene brought to mind the decadence of a Roman banquet!
We were led to the indoor section which again is lavishly decorated in a black and white theme. Everything about this place screams luxury: from the cutlery to the menu card to the lighting. In fact, the indoor restaurant is surrounded by a channel of water which made me feel rather like a Queen sitting in my castle, surrounded by a moat. And in what other restaurant would you find a full-size sofa in the bathrooms?
As for the music, I’ve heard that it has been chosen by well-known DJ MaFaiza and is pleasant and unobtrusive.
Food [rating:5/5]
If you can judge the quality of a menu on the length of time it takes the guests to make up their mind then Stone Water Grill has a very good menu indeed! We were completely engrossed for about fifteen minutes, apart from the odd cry of “they have pâté!” and “bacon, I can’t believe it!” Eventually we made up our minds and ordered a Lebanese platter with different dips (including hummus) for starter. Alongside the starter we received delicious hot bread rolls (just be careful not to spoil the rest of the meal by eating too many!) For main course I sampled the pasta with strips of beef tenderloin while my companions enjoyed steaks. Although we could easily have called it a day there, the food was so tasty that we decided to indulge ourselves by ordering the Bailey’s cake and panna cotta; a decision we didn’t regret. In fact, all the courses were delicious. The only slight disappointment was that the (Jacob’s Creek) wine which we ordered was not in stock. The cost of the meal was Rs 1800 per couple, which is less than we expected it to be (hence two visits in the space of a fortnight!).
Service [rating:4/5]
Overall, the service was excellent, as you would expect in a restaurant of this calibre. However, I have two suggestions on how it could be improved. The first is that the waiters need to be a little less intrusive – they must have asked us how the food was at least three times during the meal (which is understandable given that it is a new restaurant, but a little over the top). Secondly, at the end of the meal, a waiter asked us to fill out a comments form, leaving our email addresses. We declined. A little while later another waiter approached and again urged us to fill out a form. This is a pet hate of mine: when a guest declines to fill in a form then on no account should they be approached again! I have had similar experiences all across Pune. I hope that Stone Water Grill irons out these small problems and manages to lead the way in terms of service, as it is already doing with its ambience and food.
Overall [rating:5/5]
Address:
81/82, Pyramid Complex, North Main Road
Koregaon Park, Pune, Maharashtra 411001
Contact: 41030303
