ELLE Gourmet India X Eclectic Village: Here’s What Went Down At Pune’s Biggest F&B Destination

What happens when Pune’s food lovers, creators, and connoisseurs gather under one roof to celebrate flavour? Magic, that is plated, poured, and perfectly captured. The much-anticipated ELLE Gourmet India X Eclectic Village soirée at Phoenix Mall of the Millennium, Pune turned into the city’s most flavour-packed night out, where every bite came with a story, and every table buzzed with discovery. 

The Food Trails

From the moment guests arrived at Caffé Allora, the air was thick with anticipation. People were mingling, exchanging social media profiles, taking pictures with each other, and simply enjoying the vibe. It was merely the start of an edible adventure across Eclectic Village’s 25+ standout restaurants spanning over 1Lac sqft, curated into an immersive restaurant-hopping trail that promised (and delivered) an unforgettable evening. After welcome bites such as Crositini and Chicken nuggets, the crowd split into three colour-coded groups, yellow, green, and white, each led by our dynamic hosts; Plant-based recipe curator, and Photographer Purvi Shah, Musician and Food Blogger Sahil Makhija, and Lifestyle and Food Creator Karan Malik.

Each group set off on its own culinary circuit, turning the Phoenix Mall of the Millennium into a playground for food exploration. Group A, led by Purvi Shah, began at Aromas Café, where fresh bruschetta and creamy avocado toast set the tone before moving to Asia Kitchen by Mainland China, known for its Blue Pea Asparagus Dumplings and Sriracha Chicken Dumplings that married colour and crunch with finesse. The final stop, The Irish House, was a lively affair with crowd favourites like Irish Fish & Chips, and Grilled Lamb Pops that kept spirits soaring.

Meanwhile, Group B, under the energetic guidance of Sahil Makhija, took off at Eight, where Izakaya-style bites like Kung Pao Chicken and Edamame Truffle Dimsum turned heads.

At Pop Tate's, the tempo rose with Pepper Blasted Chicken and Jalapeño Cheese Poppers, comfort food that never fails to hit the spot. The journey ended at Punjab Grill, where the regal Maahi Tikka and Paneer Tikka Achaari brought a soulful North Indian finish to a globally inspired route.

For Group C, steered by Karan Malik, the adventure began at YouMee, where the comic-book interiors and rainbow sushi made it a playful start. PizzaExpress followed with its iconic Calabrese Pizzas and hand-tossed dough theatrics, a visual treat as much as a culinary one. The third trail concluded at Ishaara, a North Indian restaurant that offers guests the opportunity to communicate in sign language with its hearing- and visually-impaired staff. Guests enjoyed signature dishes such as the Dungar Chicken and Lahori Paneer Tikka.

An Evening That Ended In Style

As the food trails came to an end, everyone converged at the P52 Ice Skating Arena just opposite to our final spot F Lounge by FTV. The guests and hosts enjoyed putting their best foot forward on ice and getting a truly adventurous experience that the night had promised. At the afterparty, which took place at F Lounge by FTV, guests mingled over Twisted Cosmopolitans, groovy Gimlet Smashes, and the house’s signature mocktails, while small plates like Chicken Tikka Arancini and Nepali Jhol Wontons added spice and sparkle to the conversations. Under soft lights and music, the afterparty took on a life of its own, a toast to flavour, friendship, and the joy of shared discovery.

A great successor to our Gourmet Village food trail at Phoenix Palladium in Mumbai, the ELLE Gourmet India X Eclectic Village Phoenix Millennium Pune was truly a movement in motion. Eleven restaurants, three hosts, and one unforgettable night that reminded Pune why food, at its best, is a celebration of community.