Founded by Chef Navtej Singh, Arthur's Theme draws its inspiration from the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The restaurant’s name, décor, and menu are a tribute to the medieval period and European culture. The restaurant is named after King Arthur, a king who according to medieval history ruled a large chunk of England. Many dishes are named after famous characters from the stories and legends about King Arthur. The restaurant’s decor also features elements like a version of Arthur’s legendary sword Excalibur and shields.
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This actually adds a fun and whimsical touch to the dining experience. The combination of this quirkiness and fine dining make for a great vibe and an unpretentious setting.
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For a classic, Continental meal, this place has always topped the list for Punekars. Post my degree in Hotel Management, Navtej SIngh trained in kitchens across a few European countries. He wanted to bring different flavoured food to Pune. The restaurant was located in Koregaon Park and was quite close to the Osho Ashram, which was at its peak at the time the restaurant opened. The food at Arthur’s was perfect for the European palette. Back in the day, most eateries in Pune served Indian and Chinese cuisines and a few restaurants served basic Continental food.
What Makes Arthur’s Theme Special
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What sets Arthur’s Theme apart, beyond the food and ambiance, is the impeccable service. The staff is knowledgeable about the menu and offers recommendations tailored to individual preferences. Whether it’s suggesting the perfect wine pairing or explaining the ingredients of a particular dish, the team at Arthur’s Theme makes every effort to ensure diners have a memorable experience.
The restaurant is also known for its generous portion sizes, ensuring that diners leave feeling satisfied. While the food presentation is elegant, the portions reflect the comfort-food aspect of European dining, where quality and quantity come together.
Featuring classic wooden furniture, soft lighting, and tasteful décor the eatery is reminiscent of a European bistro. The use of neutral colours and comfortable seating creates a relaxed, casual vibe that appeals to diners of all kinds—from families to couples and groups of friends.
What To Order At Arthur’s Theme
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The menu at Arthur’s Theme is a culinary tour across Europe, with dishes drawing influences from French, Italian, Spanish, and Belgian cuisines, among others. It’s famous for its innovative take on continental fare, with rich flavours and carefully curated ingredients. What sets the menu apart is that it features many dishes named after medieval knights, kings, queens, and notable figures from European history.
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For example Henri IV is chicken breast stuffed with cheese, mushroom, and herbs, served with a light sauce. Marie Curies is grilled fish with Dijon mustard and Napoleon is a herb grilled chicken.
Dishes that come highly recommended include Cajun Grilled Fish With Lemon Butter Sauce, Herb grilled Fish with Mustard Sauce, Tenderloin Buff Steak with Pepper Sauce, Braised Lamb Shanks, Spice Rubbed Grilled Chicken With Barbecue Sauce and Cottage Cheese and Mushroom in a flavoured Sauce. Stuffed Chicken Roulade with Mushroom Sauce and the melt-in-the-mouth cheese Croquettes are also on the must-try list.
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Pasta, steaks, seafood, and fresh salads dominate the menu, with plenty of vegetarian options available as well. The variety ensures there is something for everyone. One of the highlights of Arthur’s Theme is its sauces, which are made fresh in-house daily. The restaurant also does some great classic desserts.
The wine list at Arthur’s Theme is carefully curated to complement the food. Featuring both international and domestic wines, from rich reds to crisp whites. In addition to wine, the restaurant offers a variety of classic cocktails, mocktails, and fresh juices.
Staying Relevant
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When the restaurant opened in 1997, Chef Navtej knew that only about 5 percent of people would want to try out food which was different. Another challenge they faced was that they were one of the few restaurants that served pre-plated food. This gave people the impression that the quantity being served was less. Over the years with International travel becoming popular and people being exposed to World Cuisine, this changed and people are a lot more open to trying unique flavours. Keeping this in mind, the restaurant changes their menu every 6 months.
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Over the years, Arthur's Theme has cemented itself as a cultural landmark in Pune. For locals, it has become a go-to destination for celebrations, anniversaries, and special moments. For tourists and expatriates, it offers a slice of European cuisine. Arthur’s Theme has stood the test of time, continuing to attract a steady flow of diners even as Pune’s restaurant scene has grown exponentially.
Price For Two At Arthur’s Theme
The price for two at Arthur's Theme in Pune typically ranges between ₹2,000 to ₹2,500, depending on your choice of dishes and drinks. This estimate includes a full meal with appetisers, main courses, and desserts, along with beverages like wine or cocktails.