Any foodie worth his salt when asked about the best Chinese food in Pune will surely tell you about ‘Mainland China’ at Hadapsar, Pune. This sensational restaurant first created waves in 1995 when Anjan Chatterjee first introduced the restaurant in Sakinaka area in Mumbai. From there the restaurant gained popularity and quickly became a beloved and trusted name for Chinese food. The well decorated and traditional interiors have always been the restaurant’s forte for which it is widely appreciated. You will see a heavy mandarin influence in the décor, clearly visible in the circular entrance and statues of terracotta warriors. Look is clean, elegant and airy. The room is washed in a pleasant glow by the contemporary paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling. Mainland China is a great place to bring your family and friends to spend some quality time over good Chinese food. The service provided by the restaurant is smooth and hassle free. The staff is polite and cordial which adds to the evening’s success.

The dishes are authentically and well prepared. Equal amount of attention is paid to the visual appeal of the dishes so when they come to your table, you will see works of art. The restaurant is only a tiny bit expensive so you can’t afford to drop in every week but for special occasion or monthly dinners it qualifies for a great place. Menu of Mainland China is selective, housing all the best recipes that you hope to find at your favourite Chinese establishment. The homage paid to the dim sums is a must. Dabble in prawn siu mai, vegetable shanghai spring rolls, steamed vegetable wontons and chicken siu mai. As far as the appetizers are concerned you can sample chicken Taipei, aromatic chicken with garlic, konjee crispy lamb, wok tossed potatoes yue yang style and pan fried chilli fish.

Mains section will entice you with so many great choice like crabmeat steamed or braised, spicy fish in a hot pot, roast lamb in mahlak sauce, general Tao’s favourite chicken, pan braised broccoli and tofu with dry red chillies, braised sapo chicken, burnt garlic fish with seasonal greens, crabmeat steamed or braised, exotic vegetables in chilli basil sauce, spicy duck in a hot pot and sliced chicken in oyster sauce. End on a sweet note with brownie with hot chocolate sauce or something more exotic.