Restaurant Review: Yolkshire, Kothrud, Pune

Calling 'Yolkshire' a restaurant might be pushing things a bit, but if you aren't too fussy about ambience and space, then this cutely-named eatery in Kothrud is sure to make you (and your tummy) smile.

Located among the row of shops in front of the Karishma Housing Society (by itself a landmark- tell the auto guy "Karishma" and he is will take you there with no mistakes),Yolkshire is a tiny place with 2 tables squeezed indoors and 2-3 tables breathing in relative freedom outside.  But what the place lacks in space, it makes up for it in the large-ness of the menu.

As evident from the name, Yolkshire is devoted to all dishes egg-y. Apart from the pasta, salads, sandwiches and burgers sections (a move I guess to appeal to non-eggetarians), every dish is an ode to the humble egg. (An aside- eggs, in the Western world at least, have become humble only in the last half century or so- in the late 1800s and early 1900s they were considered 'rich', a rarity that poor folks couldn't afford)

From various types of stuffed omelettes and fritatas and egg-white omelettes to scrambled eggs and savoury French Toasts and Eggs Benedict/Mornay to Scotch Eggs to Eggs made to order to combos of the above with juice/salad etc - the multi-page menu covers all egg classics. There are even exotic egg dishes from Thailand and Lebanon. And they give you a choice of how hearty you want your dish too! (2/3/5 eggs)

Frankly Speaking- Egg White Omelette draped around frankfurter in tangy sauce, Rs. 155

We tried the Frankly Speaking (egg white omelette draped over a frankfurter and filled with tangy sauce), and as our side dishes, chose the olives and parsley potatoes. The omelette and the sauce were tasty, but there was something odd about the too-soft frank- or maybe I would have just preferred a heartier, meatier, more toothsome and more spiced sausage inside. Served with 2 toasted-and-buttered slices of white bread, this breakfast was filling enough for one, especially if accompanied by tea/coffee/hot chocolate. And at Rs. 155, its a good deal.

Chicken and Cheese French Toast, Rs. 140

Next we tried the Chicken and Cheese French Toast (Rs 140) which was kind of underwhelming- a sandwich of sorts made up of French Toast (under-seasoned) swaddling a filling of shredded chicken and cheese in white sauce (also under-seasoned). You can give this a pass, especially when there are other dishes like Khagina (Parsi Burji) and Scotch Eggs on the menu!

Last we tried an omelette from the  "meal omelette' section, the Omelette Reve (Rs 130) Your standard-issue omelette, stuffed with diced chicken in a tomato-ey sauce, served with baked beans and toast, was, well, middle of the road. The chicken, while nice, could have been tastier/better spiced!

We ended our brunch with glossy dark hot chocolate (yummy! Two thumbs up) and the Yorkshire Tart (sweet and light but no marked taste other than that of the maple syrup it was served with)

Will I visit again? Undoubtedly. There's pages and pages of the menu I need to explore, the prices aren't a deterrent to my culinary explorations, its located in a nice accessible location AND its open for breakfast. Yolkshire, here I come again!