Restaurant Review: Syrakko, Koregaon Park, Pune

Hey from EL The Cook! 

Today we explore Syrakko, one of Pune's newest fine dining restaurants. With a name that doesn't reveal much, except that its based on a small Greek town, Syrakko doesn't give much away.

However with its flamboyant reviews on popular blogs and even Zomato, we felt it was a must try.

Driving up to the building just beyond the Westin, you are welcomed by an unkept looking valet which we were a bit intimidated by.. 

The restaurant ambiance is quite breathtaking and is a straight scene out of a New York jazz bar, except it is missing anything to do with live musicians. Marble and grey upholstery make the restaurant upscale and classy.

The staff are polite, but lack the culinary knowledge to explain the vast menu.

Syrakko is run by award winning Chef Nagraj, straight back from the USA, still finding his feet in Pune. 

With a comprehensive wine list and overtly displayed wine cabinet, we felt a cocktail is a must!

We were served a rather impoverished looking palette cleanser, which was a cracker topped with balsamic glaze, greens and an olive. Prepared to inspire your umami tastebuds, it does an average job. We were surprised when they refused to give us an extra palette cleanser as there was a child on our table as well, who didn't get served.  

ROOM WITH A VIEW

A sparkling wine based cocktail, with a peach puree, bourbon, home-made triple sec and angostura bitters is presented in a thin wine glass. Cloudy in appearance, the cocktail seems a little daunting. Well balanced, the peach and the bourbon give a light flavor to the palette. The wine adds a zing, making it inviting! 

PICKLED BEETROOT AND FETA MOUSSE SALAD

A delicious presentation of pickled beets, feta mousse, olive oil powder, watermelon, garnished with crispy orange bits, the salad is vibrant!

PRAWN AND GARLIC CHOWDER

A creamy prawn soup served with croutons was presented to us next. The seafood broth has a mild flavor, accentuating the prawn flavor. Although there is mention of brandy in the menu, there is no flavor of it at all. 

A moderate garlic flavor, the chowder needs more depth.

Another palette cleanser is served to is this time it was cylindrical portions of watermelon with balsamic glaze. Fresh fruit certainly the favorite to blanch the existing flavors on the palette. 

MURG DANGAR

A spectacular looking dish, murg dangar encompasses, clay oven roasted super tender chicken. Served up in a smoky cashew gravy. The seasoning of the chicken and creaminess of the gravy work hand in hand to make this an outstanding dish.

The gravy is served with a pulao and some naan. One of the best dishes of the menu we tasted. 

AWADHI LAMB KORMA

This dish based out of Lucknow, incorporates slow cooked braised lamb chunks carefully marinated in yogurt and then slow cooked to form a creamy gravy.

As with any North Indian cuisine, there is a strong hit of spice, which is comforted by the creaminess of the yogurt gravy. 

Syrakko, brings us a sweeter adaptation to the dish, with a greater quantity of yogurt, but unbalancing the spicy hit of the Lucknowi original. 

Syrakko serves us a third palette cleanser, this time its stewed pineapple and orange caviar. Enchanting to look at, it is by far the most effective of all the palette cleansers offered.

The tangyness of the orange and the sweetness of the pineapple refreshes the palette after the heavy flavors of mains.

ESPRESSO PHIRNI

Syrakko, enchants the senses with their desserts, a strong coffee phirni (kheer) is served with a decadent chocolate soil and a tiramisu granita. All the elements of this dessert work reasonably well with the exception of the tiramisu granita. The granita doesn't really work as granitas are primarily light and fruity. 

The dual coffee therapy with the phirni and granita is a bit too much with the rich chocolate soil.

Syrakko pushing the boundaries of a fine dine experience,  with spectacular ingredients and fine culinary lingo. However execution needs to be better planned and ingredients need to be paired well.

Cocktails are a must try and sumptuous mains pack a realy flavorsome punch.

Syrakko must strive to carve its own niche in a constantly changing fine dining restaurant experience.