Tuesday, June 10, 2008

A Bit of Social Service- Hyderabad Facts

It's time to admit it- I have the writer's block. I could never write well, but lately I haven't found anything to write on. Sure, I can go on rambling about the lack of meaning in my life, the mediocrity inherent in me and such inglorious stuff that I keep moaning about in my posts. But after all, as a dear friend pointed out, this is not a personal diary and it's time I stopped using it like one.

So let's help out people. I'm fairly new in Hyderabad (five months now) and so my list of places to be is far from being an authoritative one. But I can always try and here's my best shot. Point to be noted is that I'm 24 and have a wee bit of disposable income, so there may be places that you think are too yuppie or too expensive. Or maybe too oldy or cheap.

Places to EAT (has to be the first one) -

1. Aromas of China: situated at the top floor of the City Centre Mall at Banjara Hills Road No.1, is the probably the best place to have chinese food in Hyderabad. Try out the squids (I like the salt & pepper preparation), the steamboat and the sticky fried rice. Hell, try out anything. If you don't like it, I'll treat you to your favorite chinese place. Approx meal for two- INR 800-900 (w/o drinks)
2. Barbecue Nation: Opposite City Centre Mall. Not quite the Gurgaon version, but pretty good all the same. A must for all the carnivores. The buffet spread for Rs 450/head is quite a deal.
3. Fusion 9/ Deli 9: Very classy place- or rather my kinda place! Lebanese platter and pizzas are very good. Also do try the Lamb chops. Beer Pitcher for Rs 470 works best for a 3-4 strong group. Meal for two- INR 1000.
4. Angeethi:
Cheap but succulent. Dressed up as a dhaba, but surely the only top-floor dhaba in the country. Indian food. Approx meal for two- INR 600. Near the City Centre Mall. Recommended are the kebabs, Rogan Josh and Mutton Barra
5. Mainland China: Decent chinese food. Love the lunch buffet - INR 250 during weekdays, INR 350 during weekends. Near the Ashoka Metropolitan Mall. Good service.
6. Indijo's: Great weekend lunch buffet. Cheap too- INR 300/head. City Centre Mall. Weekday buffet (if you get the time) is at an eye-popping INR 190/head
7. Eatway@ NKM's Grand: Decent weekend lunch buffet- INR 287/head. On the Taj Krishna down road.
8. Copper Chimney: Good Indian.
9. Bowl'o'China: Cheap chinese food. There are quite a few branches.
10. Noodle Bar: Decent chinese food. Hyderabad Central Mall.
11. Sahib Sindh Sultan: Decent Indian. A bit pricey. City Centre.
12. Rajdhani: Veg place, but worth the visit. Situated on the top of Big Bazaar, Ameerpet. It has a traditional Indian feel. The place and the food is really good, but I didn't enjoy my visit, as it was like a Metallica fan forced to listen to ragas.
13. Chinese Pavilion: Cheap chinese.
14. Ohri's: At Road No.2 Banjara Hills, a great place if you wish to impress someone about hyderabad. A multi-cuisine place, with every floor devoted to each cuisine. Decent midnight buffet.
15. Paradise: Decent biryani.

Places to Go-

1. Eat Street: Lake facing food court. Good place to kill time. You can also take the jetty to the island.
2. Lumbini Park: okay place to kill time. Besides Hussainsagar.
3. Golcoonda Fort: Good place to hang around. The lights and sound show tedious.

Pubs-
Not too much into drinking, but being a social animal often accompany friends. Some good places are-

1. Ten Downing Street: Just as it sounds, it has a unique Brit feel, minus the snootiness.
2. Firaangi Paani: A place, yes you've guessed right, full of firaangs looking for a quick drink.
3. Xtreme Sports Bar: Cheap place and positioned opposite the City Centre mall. Average music (but you can put in your recommendatios to the DJ - he acquiesces to my demands for Led zep and Doors)


This much for now.