Review: Shadaab Hotel

Hotel Shadaab at Charminar (Image courtesy: Sanjay Borra)

I went to Shadaab again with a big group of friends last weekend. Since I am a member of Hyderabad Foodies Club, we all went there as one of our eating joints during our 'Food walkathon at Charminar'.

The Nawabs of Food at Shadaab Charminar (Image Courtesy: Sanjay Borra)

I would like to mention here that we occupied their 'Nawabi' style seating on the first floor. This has low level beds lined up side by side in a 'U' shape with big 'Chauki' or low level tables placed in the center of each bed. A group of 4 can easily sit and share the meal on 1 table. This arrangement is very comfortable and I personally loved it. It is a decently clean place however, you cannot expect exceptional neatness at restaurants in Charminar. 

Shadaab was the third stop for us and by the time we landed there we didn't had much space left to push in more food. However, since the host wanted us all to taste their signature and famous dishes, we all got our share of Keema Khichdi, Bheja Fry, Nikaari Chicken and Lassi.

If you are a non - vegetarian, this is your place!! We were first served Keema Khichdi. While Khichdi was a usual mix of rice and mung dal, keema was decent though not great. My mother in law makes far tastier and better keema so I would not rate Shadaab's keema on it's taste. 

Keema Khichdi (Image Courtesy: Sanjay Borra)

Enjoying my meal at Shadaab (Image Courtesy: Sanjay Borra)

The moment I got the Bheja Fry, I was blown away by the looks of it. Though it was dripping in oil, it looked divine. One dig into the dish and I was right up there in the heaven. The gravy was a rich mix of onions, ginger garlic, whole and powdered spices, kasuri methi, herbs like coriander and soft and well cooked 'Brain' pieces. I would not shy away confessing that this was the best 'Bheja Fry' I have ever had. And I would wait to go there again for this. 

Next on the menu was 'Nihari Chicken', their signature and famous dish. It has a big fried piece of chicken dipped in paaya curry. I was expecting more out of this dish, but it turned out to be less spicy and low on flavors. Since I do not know much about this dish, I would be the wrong person to recommend/ not recommend this one. However, it did not suit my taste buds. Chicken piece was juicy and nice though. Nihari Chicken was served with a Square bread differently baked. 

Nihari Chicken (Image Courtesy: Sanjay Borra)

Bread served with Nihari Chicken (Image Courtesy: Sanjay Borra)

Then came the lassi in the end which was sweet, tangy, chilled and tasted good. My experience at Shadaab was good and I will go back to them for their 'Bheja Fry'. For our meal of around 20-25 people, we paid Rs. 2000 in total. Cheap isn't it ha!!

Ratings:

Food:3.5/5
Service: 3/5 
Ambiance: 3/5
Value for money: Absolutely yes

You can check out more interesting Food and Street Photography at:

Facebook.com/fotosanjay and Hyderabad Street Photography

Review: Flury's

Image Courtesy: Fury's Official Website  

I have been to Flury's thrice now and despite of the fact that it is one of the many food kiosks in Gvk One food court, it still stands apart for me. 

Flury's is a legendary tearoom started way back in 1927 by Mr. and Mrs. Flurys in Kolkata for the then elite British and affluent Indian visitors. It has since then served many generations in Kolkata and other cities.

Flury's entered in Hyderabad with their first outlet in GVK One mall in March 2013 and they have been serving a sumptuous variety of sweets and savories along with tea and coffee.

As of now I have tasted few of their stuff which includes Blue Berry Cheese Cake, Black Forest Pastry, Honey Nut Tart, Chocolate Cube, Chicken Puff and Spinach & Corn Quiche.

Blue Berry Cheese cake is my all- time favorite and Flury's blew me off completely with this one. Perfect sweetness, beautiful soft texture, addictive flavor, and just that slight tangy tinge of blue berry's leaves you with eternal yummmmmmmmmmm - iness :)

Black forest pastry was a usual good pastry, nothing different about it. Honey Nut tart was a let down though. The tart was hard and honey, nuts and almonds didn't taste too good. I find Vac's honey nut tart far better than Flury's.

Chocolate Cube is another very tasty, and interesting pastry. I particularly loved the balance of chocolate and sweetness. The pastry has layers of chocolate and chocolate bread topped with a thick chocolate slice. While it seems like too much of chocolate, you will be surprised with the right balance of the flavors and tastes. I would recommend this one if you like chocolate flavor.

Chicken Puff looks like an interesting bundle of flavors. The outside is softly crispy while the filling is sinfully pure chicken keema drenched in spicy flavors. One puff is quite filling to satisfy your taste buds. Spinach Corn Quiche is again another good option for those who like spinach and corn. The creaminess, cheesiness, and fluffiness of the quiche is addictive. I would specially like to mention that the pastry base of the quiche is absolutely fluffy and good that makes the quiche take away the brownie points.

So far my experience at Flury's has been great and I look forward to going there every time I visit GVK One Mall. I am waiting to taste their signature Strawberry Fraisier though. They always run out of it. Would request them to have some extra in stock.

I would also like to congratulate the main guy at the counter for his politeness and warm behavior that brings a smile to my face every time I walk-up to the Flury's counter.

Most of the items are reasonably priced between Rs. 40- Rs.70.

Ratings:
Food:4/5
Ambiance: Would not rate this as it is in a food court of a mall
Service: 3/5
Value for money: Yes!!