Universal Bakers - Asli Hyderabadi Burgers

This is a place which invariably brings back fond memories to any of the old Hyderabadi food lovers. A landmark in M.G Road Secunderabad for the last 30 years, and near Liberty X Roads, for two decades now, they are synonymous with the asli Hyderabadi burgers. As was the case fifteen years ago, it is still virtually impossible to get a place here in the peak hours despite the rapid onslaughts of McDonalds and Dominos on the country.

Chicken Burger

The burgers here, have no patty inside. Instead you have a layer of thick shredded or minced meat, tomatoes and onions in melted cheese and lots of mayo. The buns too, are fresh and soft. Affordable at Rs 60, one burger with a cold drink is normally enough for a meal. And the size still remains as huge as the time when I used to buy them for Rs 20.

Inside a Chicken Cheese Burger

Their pizzas are also in demand – tomato cheese pizzas, regular chicken and chicken tikka pizza to name a few. Are they authentic? "They are authentic Hyderabadi pizzas" a regular customer informs. Abundant cheese, fresh vegetables and a soft pizza base are their hallmarks.

Cheese Tomato Pizza

Try their chicken sandwiches with a spicy, chicken, capsicum and mayo filling. Also available are vegetable, grilled chicken and cheese sandwiches.

Chicken Sandwich

The puffs  – egg, veg or chicken are again very affordable – 2 for Rs 25. A huge favorite of college students or salesmen dropping in for a quick bite. Other short eats are the Hyderabadi mutton, paneer and veg samosas, spring rolls, kathi rolls and cutlets. A special mention to their tasty and delicious butter chicken rolls.

Puffs and Samosas

Their variety in desserts often leaves customers awe-struck. Chocolate pastries and plum cakes are their specialities. It is a favorite place for middle class Hyderabadis to order their birthday cakes; a recent change being that cakes are also available  in eggless versions.

Cakes and Pastries

Though some people complain about service and hygiene aspects here, the huge footfalls every day show how Hyderabad still loves this grand old eatery. For me and many other Hyderabadis, the grand old place has still not lost its charm even one bit.

Universal Bakers, Himayatnagar
3-6-12, Al Samad Complex, Himayath Nagar, Hyderabad
Tel : 23221779

Universal Bakery and Restaurant, Secunderabad
Near Chermas Store, M.G. Road
Tel : 27844089

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Pintxo, Gurgaon

Pintxo (or Pincho) is a small snack eaten in bars or taverns while rejoicing with friends and family. The name of the restaurant is quite self explanatory and gives you a feel of the experience one is going to have there. Located in the heart of Gurgaon, in the Galleria Market, this small but lively tapas restaurant serves authentic spanish food.

Garlic Shrimp Allioli

The interiors of Pintxo are warm and cozy with a lively atmosphere where one can enjoy his/her meal. The insides are wonderfully decorated with thick wooden tables and multi filament Marconi bulbs on the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. To get the most of the customers, they have aligned their chairs quite close to each other like every other Galleria restaurant which hampers privacy to some extent.

Fish and Prawn Roll

Pintxo boasts of their preparation of the best Hispanic food in India and they truly live up to the dream. Their Virgin Sangria is one of the best I have tasted. Coming from the spanish word 'sangre' meaning blood, this non-alcoholic version served with apple chunks and lime zest is so good that you hardly miss the alcohol.

Virgin Sangria

Prepared for a multi-course meal, we tried their Gazpacho soup next. Traditionally served cold, the Gazpacho is made in a thick tomato base with diced tomatoes and cucumber to form the perfect summer soup. It cools the body with stupendous effectiveness, giving competition to beer and lemon iced tea.

Gazpacho

Hot Pumpkin Soup

We then moved onto the main food, where we ravished the Pork Belly and Chicken Sliders with great ferocity. Sliders are essentially vada pavs/burgers with rich meat and vegetable filling. The Pintxo slider buns are baked in-house and very nice and soft feel to it when served hot. The additional mild fermented flavour might be disliked by some, though it is pretty essential for the bun to remain soft.

Chicken Sliders

Pork Belly Sliders

The Ham and Mushroom Croquettes are another specialty of Pintxo. These small breadcrumbed fried food rolls are served with cheesy garlic mayonnaise dip which is an absolute delight. They use Porcini and Shiitake mushrooms in these croquettes as it gives the best taste and are also the more healthier alternatives.

Mushroom Croquettes

Ham Croquettes

We next dug into the Tomato Bruschettas, the Beetroot Ravioli and the Aceitunas. Though I am not a very big fan of vegetarian food, the Pintxo preparations never ceased to amaze me. Made with finely chopped tomatoes and coriander on buttered and toasted bread, the Bruschettas were made in truffle oil. The Truffle oil makes the bread sweeter while helping the stomach digest the acidic tomatoes.

Tomato Bruschettas with Truffle Oil

Beetroot Ravioli

Olive, Pineapple and Cheese Aceitunas

Olive and Bacon Aceitunas

The Seafood Paella, which we had next was a type of an Indian khichdi with squids and prawns. Though the dish was slightly burnt, the rich Spanish flavours enticed us to a great extent as we found out that the dish initially originated in Valencia and later spread throughout the world due to its subtle taste.

Seafood Paella

Almost full, we moved on to the desserts which comprised of the Flan and Poached Pear with Ice-Cream. The Flan was more or less a sweet custard with burnt and caramelised sugar sprinkled on top to complement the sweetness with a bitter taste. The Poached pear too was wonderful and had a cinnamon base to it liked and devoured by one and all.

Poached Pear With Ice Cream

Flan

Though the place is small, Pintxo is beautifully decorated with exceptional food quality and quantity making it a worthwhile visit for food connoisseurs and adventurers.

Cost for 2 - Rs. 2000/-

Address : SF-90, 1st Floor, Galleria Market,
DLF City Phase 4,
Gurgaon

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In Quest Of Bengali Food In The Twin Cities

Over the last few years, the choices available for enjoying Bengali cuisine have really increased in Hyderabad. The main reasons for this are continued migration of Bengalis from their native state in search of better opportunities as well as an increase in interest in people from other regions to try out Bengali cuisine. My journey for good Bengali food has taken me all over the twin cities to try out various Bengali restaurants. Here is a list of some of the most notable Bengali restaurants along with my suggestions of what to have there.

Oh Calcutta! is part of the famous Speciality Restaurants group, which has other restaurants chains such as Mainland China and Sigree. After Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore, they started their Hyderabad operations in Begumpet in December 2012.

Bhetki Paturi (Oh Calcutta)

If you ever visit their restaurant, don't forget to try their Gandharaj Bhetki (Lime flavored boneless Bhetki fish), Kakra Chingri Bhapa (Crab meat and Prawn in a mustard and green chili marinade, steamed inside a Banana Leaf) and Dab Chingri (Prawns in Raw Coconut).The combination of Chittagong Chicken (Chicken cooked in red chili paste, garlic in Bangladesh style) and Luchis (Flour puris) is pretty good too. For the vegetarians, they have specials like Mochar Ghonto (Banana Flower based preparation) and Dhokar Dalna (Shallow Fried Lentil Cake Curry). Sweet lovers can try their Malpua, Bhapa Sandesh and Nolen Gurer Ice cream.

Read a detailed review here.

Luchi with Kosha Mangsho and Chittagong Chicken Curry (Oh Calcutta)

Calcutta Cabin in Kondapur has an extensive spread of Bengali items and has special thalis for each Bengali festival. This is one of the first few restaurants which began offering Bengali food in Hyderabad and has been in the business for more than 5 years.

Sorse Bata Rui Mach (Calcutta Cabiin)

My particular favorites here are Kosha Mangsho and Bhetki Paturi . While the first is a typical spicy Bengali preparation of sautéed mutton, which is to be served with luchis or Moglai Parantha (special layered parantha), the latter is a boneless piece of bhetki fish, baked inside a banana leaf with mustard and other masalas.

Starters like Mochar Chop (a signature dish prepared from banana flower), the Bengali fish fry (thin fillet of fish coated in a batter and fried) and Beguni (slices of brinjal coated in a batter and fried) served by them, go very well with Kasundi (the Bengali mustard paste). WAtch out for innovations they present from time to time such as Cheese mocha balls.

Macher Kalia (Calcutta Cabiin)

Call Of Bengal, a restaurant in Madhapur brings a cuisine close to my heart - food from Kolkata. One of their novelties is the Mutton Khuska Pulao (a.k.a Kolkata Mutton Biryani). It is so called because the biriyani is made of khuska fragrant rice. It serves as a must try with the Chicken Chaap or Rezala, the other signature Kolkata Nawaabi dishes.

Another favorite of mine here is the combo of Kolkata Moglai Paratha and Bengali Kosha Chicken or Mutton. Apart from the right spices, the best thing here is that the Paranthas are not excessively oily.
The restaurant also serves the standard Kolkata short eats like Rolls, Cutlets, Fish Fry and Dimer Devil (the Bengali version of scotch eggs).

Chicken Roll (Call of Bengal)

Recently they have also started offering unique Park Street continental food as made in Kolkata – recommended are the Chicken A La Kiev (Chicken Breast filled with butter) and Fish Florentine (Fish preparation with cheese and spinach). Weekends they often have special sweets such as Dudhpuli in their menu.

Another Bengali restaurant 10 Dalhousie in Madhapur Ayappa Society  is known for its fish preparations, like Bhetki Paturi, Bhetki Bhapa, Morala Macher Jhal and Pabda Macher Jhol.
Their sweets are also sought after, especially their Rasgullas.

Shorshe Diye Parshe (10 Dalhousie)

Amantran is a budget restaurant in Domalguda. This restaurant with about six tables, serve all types of Bengali dishes. Their snacks are especially well known – the Singadas (Kolkata Samosas) are possibly the best you get in Hyderabad with rich and pure filling of a variety of veggies. Other snacks of note are Luchi Alur Dom (Flour Puris with Potato Gravy) and Nolen Gurer Rasagolla .

Nolen Gurer Rasagolla (Amantran)

Their non-vegetarian thali is also in much demand. For vegetarians, they often have seasonal specials such as Echhorer Dalna (Raw Jackfruit Curry ) and Mochar Ghonto (Banana Flower based preparation). They have a very loyal clientele and be prepared for wait to get a table especially in the weekends. They also have another branch at Regimental Bazar, near Secunderabad Railway Station.

Fish Cutlet (Amantran)

And finally the new restaurant in town, Nabanno. Started in October 2013, the restaurant is tastefully decorated and gives you a look and feel of a urban Bengali household. The sitting area has a lot of books for people to browse through while they wait for the food at their table. In the main hall are paintings and photographs on the wall which bring forth glimpses of Bengal.

The menu has some uncommon items which are not normally available in Bengali restaurants – items like Fena Bhat, Panta Bhat/Pakhal, Peyaj Posto (Onion in Khuskhus), Marich bata (Spicy paste of vegetables and chillies which go well with steamed rice) and Shutki Macher (dried fish) Chochhori. Those who are not so adventurous can try their veg or non-veg thalis.

Read a detailed review here.

Amish Thali (Nabanno)

Apart from the year round visits of the Bengali restaurants in Hyderabad, the best time for Bengali food aficionados is during Durga Puja, when apart from these restaurants, many caterers and sweet shops put up stalls in the pandals of the various samity pujas.

Addresses and Brief Details

Oh Calcutta!
Tel : 040-30431249
Address : 6-3-1186/1/1, Near ITC Kakatiya, Greenlands, Begumpet,
Meal for two : Rs 1800

Calcutta Cabiin
The restaurant has unfortunately closed down in 2014.

Call of Bengal
Tel : 65550159
Address : Ayyappa Heights 1st Floor, Opposite to DLF Gate No 2, Hyderabad 500032
Meal for two: Rs 800

10 Dalhousie
The restaurant has unfortunately closed down in 2014.

Amantran
Tel : 040-65140170
Address : Ground Floor, Hyderabad Bangalee Samity, next to Ramakrishna Mutt, Domalguda
Meal for two: Rs 500

Nabanno
Tel : 040-40203180
Address : Nizampet X Roads, Kukatpally
Meal for two: Rs 800

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The Joint - An Addiction, Gurgaon

Don't be misled by the name, it is not some safe haven for Bob Marley's followers but a simple cafe with an outstanding out of the box name. They give a very simple explanation to the name - "The Joint is a dream come true, its our initiative towards providing quality food n much more with an experience!! An Addiction towards things which we love the most!!".

Iced Tea

The ambiance of this place is truly outstanding; it is a place where you can relax and find your inner peace. To help you with your quest, they even have the soft and soothing Calypso music playing very slowly along with dim lighting. Decorated with posters from TV shows, movies and Bob Marley, the place is a little eccentrically furnished but I guess that is their selling point. They also keep a copy of the day's newspapers and a few comics of Tintin and Archie, in case you are in a mood for light reading. Underneath every table there are notes left on napkins which are neatly tucked under the glass tabletop which serve for quite an amusement.

Portion Of Fries

Apart from the ambiance, the heavy duty burgers are pretty good too; Illegal Ammo and Hot Mama Deluxe being my personal favorites. Not only do the astoundingly fat burgers flatten you but are layered in the most delectable way possible - there is a layer of generously stuffed meat patty with vegetables followed by melted cheese, fried eggs and bacon strips. The chef's secret sauce atop the burger is extremely tasty and will definitely make you fall in love with the burger. As if the burgers are not satiating enough, they even provide fries along with them to make sure you don't leave the place hungry.

Raspberry Soda

Illegal Ammo

After the burgers, came some Raspberry Sodas along with the Sizzlers. Grilled Boeuf Steak in Pepper Sauce and Grilled Pork Chops in BBQ Sauce are the most notable ones which stand out explicitly when you have a look at their menu card. A thick grilled steak with mashed potatoes is just what a food buff needs to rejuvenate himself before getting ready to hog some more and that was exactly what happened with us. The beef wasn't exactly the juiciest one I had eaten but it was certainly not the worst. Served with vegetables and buttered buns, the overall experience was quite exhilarating. The Pork Chops are always a delight, especially when they are marinated with the BBQ sauce and grilled to perfection. These big meaty chunks were pretty juicy and complemented the Raspberry Soda.

Grilled Boeuf Steak In Pepper Sauce

Grilled Pork Chops in BBQ Sauce

The Fish N Chips is another dish which is made perfectly here. Served with potato wedges instead of the traditional fries, the fish fillets are very well made, crispy and crunchy on the outside while being extremely soft inside. A true delight for fish lovers.

Fish N Chips

We finished the meal with pancakes. Made of wheat flour and served with maple syrup, these historic breakfast items make an excellent dessert for those who prefer less sugary items.

Pancakes with Maple Syrup

Meal for Two - Rs. 1300/-

Address : SF-100, 1st Floor, Galleria Market,
DLF City Phase 4,
Gurgaon

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A Traveler's Food Diary - Srinagar, Kashmir

On a highly anticipated tour to Kashmir, our main focus was on tourism. Me and my wife love to travel and try to accommodate at least 4 to 5 travel breaks in a year. Kashmir was long on our list and the fact that we had to cancel the trip there last year due to personal exigencies drove our expectations even higher. Side by side I wanted to explore the by lanes of Srinagar for Kashmiri food. After taking a primer from my Kashmiri friends in Hyderabad, I was well prepared to cash in whenever there was some respite in our busy travel schedule.

Tujj or Kashmiri kababs on skewers

Kashmiri mutton kababs or Tujj was the first thing I could try. I located a small pushcart outside the gate of Nishat Garden preparing the kababs on skewers. A skewer of Kabab was only Rs 40 and soon I was trying two of them on a complementary Kashmiri roti with radish chutney sprinkled on it. The meat was slightly underdone and juicy, exactly the way I like.

Chicken Kanti at Shahi Durbar

The busy Khayam Chowk in Srinagar is home to a series of eateries serving Kashmiri non veg barbecues. I had been told to especially try out two places here – Imran and Shahi Durbar. Both are no frills setups – Shahi Durbar, which specializes in chicken and fish items has a vast array of kababs as well as Tawa chicken being prepared on the street itself. Tried the chicken kanti (shallow fried marinated boneless chicken pieces cooked with lots of onions and capsicums) here.

Imran Cafetaria at Khayam Chowk

Imran next door is known for its Tujj and Mutton Seekh kababs. The seekh kababs (Rs 120) are served with a variety of chutneys – including the garlic, cucumber, onion and muji (radish) chutney. The succulent seekh kababs called for a second helping from my wife, and were quickly devoured.

Shahi Durbar at Khayam Chowk

Seekh kababs at Imran

Kashmiri Naan at Ahdoo's

My friends in Hyderabad had suggested a visit to Ahdoo’s in Residency Road. Known as perhaps the best place to enjoy a Wazwan in Srinagar, the restaurant was quite crowded even at early noon. I wanted to try out specific dishes – so on the first day ordered their Kashmiri Pulao, and Gushtaba with Kashmiri naan. The  Kashmiri Pulao was saffon flavored rice with an assortment of chicken kababs, mutton seekh pieces and garnishes with greens. Normally the Kashmiri Pulao we have at other places is sweet with a lot of fruits and nuts, but here this was a different non-vegetarian preparation altogether. The Kashmiri Naan had fruits, nuts and cream on top of it and was really delicious. Gushtaba (Pounded lamb meat ball cooked in a yoghurt based gravy) was a treat in itself. Unlike other places I have had Gushtaba before, at Ahdoo’s they serve one large ball of meat.

Gushtaba

Kashmiri non-veg pulao at Ahdoo's

We thought Ahdoo’s merited a second visit, so we visited them again one afternoon towards the end of my stay. This time I had plain naans with Rishta, another Kashmiri delicacy – which are pounded lamb meat ball cooked this time in saffron based red curry with Kashmiri spices. I also tried Methi Qurma – A Kashmiri spice based curry of chopped up different offals of mutton – like intestines, gurda etc. I loved the Qurma, the spicy red curry was exquisite in taste.

Rishta

Methi Qorma

At the bakery in their ground floor we tried assortment of cookies – the one I liked most was the Walnut cookies, which has plenty of walnut pieces bound together by honey in it.

Just opposite Ahdoo’s there is a large supermarket. On a casual visit, we found canned Wazhwan delicacies from Ahad Sons being sold – Rishta, Gushtaba, Rogan Josh and Lahabdar Kababs.

Canned Wazwan delicacies

No visit to Srinagar is complete without a stay in a houseboat. The Houseboat Chefs are known for their culinary skills in Kashmiri cuisines. We stayed in Chicago Houseboats, where the chef dished out Chicken Yakhni, Mutton Roganjosh, and Kashmiri Chicken curry during my stay. On our request he also prepared  some Haaq – Kashmiri saag cooked in mustard oil as spicy gravy.

Chicken Yakhni

Srinagar also has other famed restaurants like Mughal Darbar and Shamyana – but my short stay did not permit a visit to them. Planning a Leh trip via Srinagar next time, where these will be on my must try list.

Haaq or Kashmiri saag

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