Thursday, October 09, 2008

Detours - personalised and customised theme tours in Hyderabad

This is a new service available for anyone living in or visiting Hyderabad.

They offer personalised and customised theme tours for individuals and small groups in and around the city of Hyderabad.

There are 4 types of tours that one can take:
1. Historical
2. Slice of Life
3. Culinary
4. Arts & Crafts

Check out their website http://www.detoursindia.com/ for more details.

I haven't tried out their service yet, but it looked like an interesting one.

Saturday, September 01, 2007

Whazzuphyd : 17 Sep : Music Concert_ SIGNUM QUARTETT

Not sure of the Location details. Please call your local Max Mueller Bhavan / Goethe Institut
Max Mueller Bhavan/ Goethe-Institut

an collaboration with

SPIC MACAY

presents

Signum Quartett

String quartets covering three centuries: from Joseph Haydn to Jörg Widmann

Saturday, 8 September 2007
6.30 p.m.
The Seminar Hall
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)

New Delhi


** Passes available at Max Mueller Bhavan reception on first-come-first-serve


ole0.bmp
Signum Quartett
Kerstin Dill (violin)
Annette Walther (violin)
Simon Tandree (viola)
Thomas Schmitz (cello)

Following successful performances in Chennai and Puducherry in 2006, the internationally renowned Signum Quartett now embarks on an extensive tour of South Asia at the invitation of the Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan. The programme for the concert in Delhi will include pieces by Schumann and Haydn and will feature the first violin quartet by the young German composer Jörg Widman.

The Signum Quartett received its first lessons from Konrad Grahe. Shortly after its founding, the quartet was awarded 1st prize in Germany's 1994 nationwide youth competition Jugend musiziert and a prize at the Charles Hennen Concours in 1997. They continued their studies with the Melos and Alban Berg quartets. Masterclasses with György Kurtàg, Tabea Zimmermann, the Artemis quartet as well as with members of the Amadeus, Smetana, Cherubini, and the LaSalle Quartets were further inspirations.

In the framework of the summer academy Prague-Vienna-Budapest in 1999, the Signum Quartett received the Thomastik Infeld prize which enabled the four musicians to record a live CD in Vienna. The ensemble was awarded scholarships from the chamber music foundation Villa Musica and the Werner Richard- Dr. Carl Dörken foundation, the "Freunde junger Musiker Düsseldorf/Meerbusch" and the Bruno-Frey-Stiftung. In 2004, the Signum Quartett won the nationwide German Musikwettbewerb and the special award of Zonta International. At the previous Musikwettbewerb competition in 2000, they received a scholarship and the special prize of the Rheingau music festival.

The Signum Quartett performed extensively in Barcelona and Madrid, at the Schubertiada a Vilbertran in Spain, at the Ludwigsburger Festspiele festival, the Oberstdorfer Musiksommer, the Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the Salon of the Arts in Sofia, and at the Rheingau music festival. Their concerts were broadcast nationally and internationally, by the WDR, NDR, SWR, BR, Deutschlandfunk, DRS, and ORF radios. Following an initiative by the Villa Musica foundation, the four musicians were invited to record a CD with the SWR radio. The programme juxtaposes works by Schumann and Haydn with the world premiere recording of Jörg Widmann's first string quartet.

Concert programme
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809): String Quartet in D major, op.76, No.5 (1797)
Jörg Widmann (born in 1973): String Quartet No.1 (1997)
Robert Schumann (1810-1856): String Quartet in A major, op. 41/3 (1842)


Tourplan South Asia

                03.09. 2007 Karachi
                05.09. 2007 Lahore
                07.09. 2007 Jaipur
                08.09. 2007 New Delhi
                10.09. 2007 Dhaka
                12.09. 2007 Kolkata
                14.09. 2007 Mumbai
                17.09. 2007 Hyderabad
                19.09. 2007 Bangalore
                21.09. 2007 Chennai
                23.09. 2007 Colombo

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Sep 1 - Sep 16 : The Great Crossword Sale - exclusive preview

From: Crossword Book Rewards [mailto:bookrewards@shoppersstop.co.in]

If you can't read this message, please click here


There's something for everyone at our Sale.
And even more for you.

Dear Book Rewards Member,

As our privileged customer, you get a special preview of what's on offer a day ahead of everyone else. The 31st of August has been exclusively marked out so you can take your pick from our fabulous range.

There are great offers on books, movies, music and CD-ROMs!

What's more, you also get a special 20% off on regular books and an additional 5% off on all sale offer books, a few of which are mentioned below.


DK Encyclopedia of Science


Cover price:
Rs 595/-
Our price: Rs 499/-
Explore and explain the world around you with the ultimate guide to science and technology. Discover the amazing secrets of science from comets to cyclones and rockets to reptiles. Find out how scientific processes work and carry out experiments of your own. Containing fully cross-referenced topics, this encyclopedia is perfect for homework or projects.



Still Reading Khan


Cover price: Rs 2995/-
Our price: Rs 1999/-

This book is the tale of SRK's journey that led him from a suburban housing colony in New Delhi into the homes, hearts and minds of innumerable fans all over the world, a journey that transcended boundaries of nations, and the artificial barriers of culture. The book is the story of a survivor, a winner, a never-ending story of success.




Phoenix Poetry Series


Cover price:
Rs 300/-
Our price: Rs 149/-
A wonderful selection of poems from classic poets such as William Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, Rudyard Kipling and many more.



The Complete Richard Templar

Cover price: Rs 900/-
Our price: Rs 695/-

A set of 4 books that showcase Richard Templar's personal, practical rules for dreaming, planning and overcoming even life's toughest adversities. For knowing what matters, learning from experience, using your intuition, staying younger and getting stronger.

Rules of Work
Rules of Life
Rules of Management &
Rules of Wealth




501 Must Visit Destinations


Cover price:
Rs 795/-
Our price: Rs 599/-
501 Must Visit Destinations is an invaluable source of inspiration for intrepid travelers seeking their next adventure or relaxing getaway for anyone who wants to experience new landscapes and cultures.



Penguin Classics- Buy 3 for the price of 2

Cover price: Rs 90/- (each)
Our price: Rs 60/- (each)

Timeless works of literature, featuring authors like Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde and many others.



Do drop by and enjoy these benefits before everyone else does.

Warm regards,
Aniyan Nair
Head - Operations & Marketing
Send this to your friends and colleagues


In association with

Special 20% off on regular books and an additional 5% off on sale offer books for Axis Bank Priority Banking, Debit and Credit card customers.

Terms and conditions:
Additional 5% off on sale offer books only. Special 20% off on regular books. Book Rewards cards and AXIS Bank cards cannot be clubbed together. Please carry your Book Rewards card to avail the special offers. Book Rewards points will not be awarded during the sale period. The above offers valid in Crossword Chennai and Vishakhapatnam only.

Books
I
Magazines
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Music
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Movies
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CD-ROMs
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Toys
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Stationery

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

EVERY LAST THUNDERIN' TUESDAY is BIKER TUESDAY!

from: BLACKJACK-AKELA a.k.a David Masilamani
subject: EVERY LAST THUNDERIN' TUESDAY is BIKER TUESDAY!


Every last THUNDERIN' TUESDAY is dedicated to bikers of Hyderabad...specially the Sunday bikers riders club (Till such time a formal name is arrived at) and other bikers...there is a benefit card that is or will be available for free as of now...u get a benefit on every Tuesday at 10 D...

The Greater Thunderin' Tuesday Card will be sold becos I have some plans to rip off a few brands and stores in the process so the card at that point would be well...it would cost a bit to produce and the benefits would be more than just 10 D...its a WIN-WIN deal.

:)

This is about 10 Downing Street at Begumpet !

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

2nd Global Golf Beginners Session - 3rd March

Hi All,

Announcing yet another Golf Beginners Session by Global Golf Network (http://www.ryze.com/networkindex.php?network=golf), this time in Hyderabad. The venue is the Hyderabad Golf Club and the session is from 3 pm - 6.30 so even those who have a half day in office can join in. The fee is Rs. 600/- per person and includes green fees, coaching, golf clubs and balls. More details will follow but do block your time right away and also get your friends to join in .

RSVP at http://www.ryze.com/posttopic.php?topicid=813888&confid=2917 to confirm

Venue:
The Hyderabad Golf Club site comprises of the former Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad an adjoining water body,covering about 50 acres which is now the receipient of all the sewage from the surrounding areas and 110 acres within the 'Naya Quila' a component of the historic Golconda Fort complex. Situated in the 'Naya Quila' are two disused mosques which are being restored by the archaeological Survey of India.

Apart from the four hundred year old 'Boabab Tree' or 'Hathiyon ka Jhad', there is also a huge tower on which rests a 15 foot long cannon which is a part of the defences of the 'Naya Quila' that was constructed to keep the high ground to the north of the Golconda Fort out of reach of enemies who might use the vantage point to bombard the Fort.

The Course itself has been designed by Mr. David Hemstock who has designed courses all over the world. In India he has designed the Amby Valley Golf Course, a part of the ambitious Lake City project of the Sahara Group.The course will be situated in one of the most unique sites in the world as it almost totally located within the ramparts of Naya Quila, part of the historic Golconda Fort complex. Our Course will be a 7000 yard, par 72, 18 hole course built to international standards and keeping in mind the location, the history and the ambience of the area. The first half will be a par 37 and the second half a par 35.

Golfers Paradise
Lending itself beautifully to the surroundings, the Course boasts of a natural lake and stretches into the Naya Quila.

Creatively designed to accentuate the historical setting whilst preserving the ecological balance, the spectacular 18 hole Golf Course will be an experience.

The Club & Facilities to be provided

The Hyderabad Golf Association will be building a modern club house with all the facilities and amenities that a family could want. It will cater to the members, associates and their families. A full fledged Restaurant, a Bar, Health club and Gymnasium, Locker rooms with showers and changing areas, Squash courts, Snooker and Billiard room, Card rooms, Swimming pool, conference/party rooms, Lawns and Lounges etc. at a later date it is alo proposed to add some residential rooms for the benefit of the visiting golfers.

Effortless Drive
Easily accessible, the Hyderabad Golf Association is a mere 20/25 minutes drive from Begumpet and 15/20 minutes from Banjara Hills/Jubilee Hills.

Happy Golfing
Tarun

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

British Performance Poet, Lemn Sissay, reads at Saptaparni, 6th Feb

The British Council is organising a evening of performance poetry with Lemn Sissay http://www.lemnsissay.com/at Saptaparni, Road No. 8, Banjara Hills, on the 6th of February at 6.30 pm.

Lemn Sissay is on a tour of India, having already performed at Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai. Hyderabad is lucky to have a poet of his calibre perform here; we usually fall off the events map for most things.

Do try and come if you happen to be in town, and pass on the word!

Monday, December 04, 2006

7-9 Dec CMS VATAVARAN 2006

Dear Friends,
Greetings from CMS VATAVARAN Film Festival Directorate!!!
We invite you to Hyderabad CMS VATAVARAN 2006 - Environment and Wildlife Traveling Film Festival, slated for 7 – 9 December in Indira Priyadarshini Auditorium, Public Gardens.
Conceptualized and organized by CMS, New Delhi Hyderabad CMS VATAVARAN 2006 – Environment and Wildlife Travelling Film Festival is being held in collaboration with Andhra Pradesh National Green Corps.
A film festival with a difference, CMS VATAVARAN is ……..
  • an advocacy forum promoting space for environment issues in the public media
  • a movement reaching out to people in various walks of life, it enhances and inspires understanding and appreciation of the natural world and the need for conservation.
  • an attempt to change minds, attitudes and policies,
  • an initiative galvanizing civil society and promoting a platform provoking the larger public and opinion making process.

Special Features:
  • Screenings of India’s best environment & wildlife films
  • Parallel events: interactive discussions, symposium, workshops, panel discussions, exhibitions
  • Exclusive CMS VATAVARAN Travels biennially to many cities across the country taking the messages to a larger audience, creating a network of people bringing issues of local, regional and national concern and providing a forum for dialogue between various stakeholders.
We look forward to seeing you with your family and friends at the Hyderabad CMS VATAVARAN 2006 – Environment and Wildlife Travelling Film Festival
Come Join us

Be part of the movement to understand and conserve our priceless heritage


For More Information Contact:
Mou Biswas
98990 46582
CMS VATAVARAN Film Festival Directorate
www.cmsVATAVARAN.org

Smirnoff Tastemaker Session - Dec 10, Hyd

Smirnoff Tastemaker Sessions

Shake, Rattle & Roll !
Presenting the Smirnoff Tastemaker Sessions...

Meet in-demand mixologists and learn to make the drinks a certain British spy loves shaken not stirred!
Concoct drinks at a live bar with your friends, from the Moscow Mule to the Caipirojka to... just about anything that's in the book. And isn't.

The payoff ?

You get to be the one with the golden arm. The name that pops up on every invite list. The number that's on every mobile phone.

Our experts also teach you to plan a party, choose the most happening spirits in town, set up a bar, and lots more - down to the last detail.

Hurry, your drink's getting warm!


Register for a Tastemaker Session now !
Details:
Sunday, 10 December: 4pm - 7pm


Venue : Sixth Element, Venkat Plaza, Punchagutta


Fee: Rs. 500
Your fee includes the following:
. The chance to make and sample different drinks, while seated at a live bar counter
. Snacks
. Cocktail Handout and Tastemaker certificate

Do the math!

Click here for more details and online registration or call Krishna at 9885438055 or SMS STM to 3636 for any clarifications.

Our seats fill up fast, so register at the earliest.

We have also introduced online payments via a secure payment gateway and gift certificates for those of you who want to gift this experience.

Please forward this mail to friends who may be interested. You don't drink alone, so why learn to bartend solo!

Tulleeho!

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Smirnoff Tastemaker Session - 19 Nov, Hyd

Smirnoff Tastemaker Sessions

Shake, Rattle & Roll !
Presenting the Smirnoff Tastemaker Sessions...

Meet in-demand mixologists and learn to make the drinks a certain British spy loves shaken not stirred!
Concoct drinks at a live bar with your friends, from the Moscow Mule to the Caipirojka to... just about anything that's in the book. And isn't.

The payoff ?

You get to be the one with the golden arm. The name that pops up on every invite list. The number that's on every mobile phone.

Our experts also teach you to plan a party, choose the most happening spirits in town, set up a bar, and lots more - down to the last detail.

Hurry, your drink's getting warm!


Register for a Tastemaker Session now !
Details:
Sunday, 19 November : 4pm - 7pm


Venue : Grill Room, Above Fusion 9, Banjara Hills


Fee: Rs. 500
Your fee includes the following:
. The chance to make and sample different drinks, while seated at a live bar counter
. Snacks
. Cocktail Handout and Tastemaker certificate

Do the math!

Click here for more details and online registration or call Krishna at 9885438055 or SMS STM to 3636 for any clarifications.

You can also register with Gopal Thakur at Grillroom.
Our seats fill up fast, so register at the earliest.

We have also introduced online payments via a secure payment gateway and gift certificates for those of you who want to gift this experience.

Please forward this mail to friends who may be interested. You don't drink alone, so why learn to bartend solo!

Tulleeho!

Friday, June 23, 2006

Ok Tata Bye Bye

I'm so excited.

I've been shortlisted for a travel contest. Which involves travelling
& Blogging. Hardly ever been selected for anything earlier :)

Check out the contest and my profile on
http://www.oktatabyebye.com
http://www.oktatabyebye.com/Krishma.asp

(Yes they have spelt my name wrong in the link, trying to get them to correct it)

The final selection is next week. I'm not sure how they will do it.
But have a vague feeling that they may do so based on popularity of
the contestant & ability to draw viewers.

Requesting you to please view my profile & drop me a comment, even if
its just to say "All the best, Kim" or "Don't think u should go" But
please comment.

Hope there's a lot of you looking for something to do on a slow Friday
afternoon.

Please, please, pretty please. :)

Kim
http://kimelody.blogspot.com - the XL Blog
http://mbajobsindia.blogspot.com/
http://whazzupmumbai.blogspot.com

Friday, May 05, 2006

I'm desicritic of the day

Hey all loyal readers. I'm desicritics "Desicritic Of The Day" today.

Read all my articles on Desicritics.org

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Moved to Mumbai

Hi all readers of my site,

I have moved to Mumbai, so for now there won't be much posting on this blog. But do follow me to

Whazzupmumbai !!!

To join the yahoo groups for Whazzupmumbai :















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Subscribe to Whazzup in Mumbai (Bombay)
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Nizam's jewels on show at Salar Jung

The Salar Jung Museum has loaned the Nizams jewels from the RBI for 2 months and put them on display.

The collection includes the dazzling Jacob Diamond, valued today at 400crore by the Indian Government & worth much more abroad. The Jacob was mined in South Africa weighing 457 carats, the second largest diamond in the world. It was subsequently cut in Amsterdam & currently weighs 184.5 carats.

Though only a tenth of the Nizams jewels have been procured by the Indian Government, (after 20 years of negotiations, the rest of the collection has been smuggled out of the country or melted or cut down) the present collectiopn in terms of gem weight is mind boggling. There are over 25000 diamonds weighing in excess of over 12000 carats, more than 2000 emeralds weighing over 10,000 carats & pearls exceeding over 40,000 chows And this is just a part of the collection......

Thursday, March 10, 2005

Doing Pondicherry over the Weekend... (From Hyderabad)

vandana gombar a fellow ryzer, writes.....

I wasn't sure how about its doability until I actually did it...

For those who want the sun, the sand and some spiritualism in the air...head to Pondi for the weekend...a backpackers guide...

Friday.
1600 hrs: I leave HYd in the Chennai Express...some reading...some food and sleep...

Saturday.
0600 Hrs: At Chennai Railway station
0700 Hrs: After taking a lift to the bus-stand, I hopped onto a 3-hour ride through the scenic ECR (East Coast Road)...to Pondi
1000 Hrs:At Pondi...

I managed to get a room at the Ashram Guest house...amazingly scenic (its right on the beach)...quiet..economical (RS 300/single)...you can rent bicycles at the guest house...you get food...BUT drugs, alcohol, smoking strictly forbidden...For those who enjoy these indulgences...there are other options to stay...cottages...guest houses..

After some refreshments, I booked myslf into the Pondi Tourism Devt Corp. half day tour of the city...they took me to a museum (very boring...cannot get excited by looking at the primitive elements man used thousands of years ago...how do I care...)...and some temples...the most intersting thing was AUROVILLE...and the famous shrine where soil from 120 countries was mixed to emphasize the universal unity of mankind...you will see people from many many countries there...

Nightfall...you can walk on the beach road till late at night...very amiable...lots of people...flowers in the hair...and sleep with the lulling sound of waves loud in your ear...

Sunday...
0530 hrs :up to see the sunrise (it is the east coast remember...)
Leisurely breakfast at the guest house...few hours in the garden overlooking the sea...some buys of incense sticks...

1300 hrs: Bus to Chennai...
1800 hrs: Charminar Express starts for Hyd...

Monday...
0830 hrs: In HYD
1000 hrs...am at work.

If anyone wants to prebook...I could help with the phone numbers...Vandana

Visit Vandana's Ryze page

Wednesday, March 02, 2005

Desserts @ Painted Platters

Painted Platters
85, 8 avenue
Road No. 3
Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad
5568 6444, 5568 6555

Painted platters in the outdoor seating part of where "Galloping Gooseberry" used to be. ("Galloping Gooseberry" re-opened last week as "grandma's" - quite apt given the time taken for service.....)

Don't let the terrible service of Galloping Gooseberry/Grandma's deter you from visitng Painted Platters. The service outide is seperately managed and quite well run. Given the effort put into decorating each plate, you don’t mind the slight delay, esp given the surroundings.

The menu is innovative to say the least. When you sit down, you are handed a literary masterpiece. And before you wonder if you have reached a library by mistake, you realise that the menu is integrated into the book.

The number of items on the menu is around 20 but each one of them is worth tasting at least once. The first 2/3's of the menu is constant, but the Viennese section is changed every quarter.

The presentation of each dessert is amazing. (before I forget, thet only serve desserts) If you have ever looked longingly/hungrily at the pictures of food in imported cookbooks, then this is where you get to see these dreamy concoctions come alive.

A lot of the desserts, have fruit bases or components. But there are more than enough varieties for chocoholics, like me. The Missisipi mud Pie @ 130 is a all time favorite at Painted Platters. The Viennese Alhambra at 95/- was also good with its sponge cake layers et al. Finished it off with a Malakov torte (105/-) which was absolute sin, loaded with alcohol.

So, forget all your diets & calorie counting, if you truly want to freak out at Painted Platters. There's free home delivery, in a 5km radius, if you order for 3 or more desserts. You can even pick up parcels from the place itself.

Eating @ Eat Street

Eat Street
Necklace Road
Hyderabad

Eat Street is a lovely place opened on the lake on Necklace Road. Theres a play area for children with lovely multi hued flowers growing abundantly. There's a permanent merry-go-round & baby cars & things like that. They also have boating on the lake originating from the premises.

The seating is partly open air and partly under a cover which is still open to the lake on the side. But if all you want is a place to sip a coffee & relax with your book or friends, then take your coffee & head upstairs, the feeling there is even more relaxed.

Eat Street is a Food court. So you have Pizza Hut, Minerva Coffee Shop, Baskin robbins & others. Rest assured there are enough choices whether you are looking for a coffe, ice-cream, snacks, chaat or a proper meal.

The Chinese served at "Wok of the Town" was quite good. The combos for 95/- include some noodles/rice, a main dish & a starter. Really worth it & quite filling. Their chicken pepper salt was also quite interesting for 65/-

The "Chat Room" serves an array of chaat items. Tried the Dahi Poori (25) & Pani Puri (20). Tasty & clean with the joy of eating it on the lake side. Definitley round up your chaat with the jelebis (20). They are absolutely amazing & a must try. If you are thirsty with all the chaat, have the Badam Milk (25). There are a lot of pakodas & other fried stuff too thats available. I'd rank this second on the chaat available in Hyderabad. Ohris Banjara being the best. And oh yeah, the Pani Puri @ Gangotris near 36, Jubilee hills is very good, though the rest of their chaat isnt.

At the Indian counter "Wah Hyderabad", you can get an assortment of Mughlai & Hyderabadi dishes. The combo at 95 includes rice, roti, dry & wet sabji in veg & non veg options. Very filling, so quite a VFM. If you want to add on something, try the chicken 65 for 60/- and complete your meal.

Then take a walk around the palce to digest all that you have just eaten & enjoy the view some more. Quite a romantic place too. If you want to take your date out to a place, which wont burn a hole in your wallet, then eat Street is the place to go.

Eating @ Rayalseema Ruchulu

Rayalseema Ruchulu
Rayalseema Ruchulu
Hyderabad
5510 0033, 5510 0044

Havent eaten at the restaurant itself, but have ordered food home, once in a way.

RR offers typical Andhra dishes, with the signature spiciness inherent in Andhra food.

They have some interesting innovations in rotis such as sajja roti (18) & Jonna roti (11) I would be hard pressed to describe them or the uingredients that go into their making, but let me assure you that they are quite tasty.

The chicken pulao (59) is in the andhra (not hyderabadi) style. They have an excellent starter called the rayalseema special chicken (68) which are something like cutlets, but yet different. Very interesting & a really good snack with whatever drinks you may be serving. Slighlty on the spicier side but then that’s what makes it interesting.

They serve a pretty mean brain fry (62) and mamasam kheema (82) too. Only thing being that though the rates look lower compared to other hotels, the quantitites on these main dishes are a little on the smaller side too. So you may need to order 1.5 times the amount you order from other places.

TO sum it up, I would say, food from Rayalseema Ruchulu is tasty & interesting.

Friday, February 25, 2005

Eating @ Abhiruchi

Near Paradise Circle
2789 6565

The absolute best Andhra Thali in town. Priced about 50/- its unlimited papads, fried chillies, rasam, sambhar, curd, 3 veg dishes, dhal palak, rice & roti are an absolute steal. The crowning glory, is their melted ghee which is the closest I have come to tasting ambrosia. Its supplied in unlimited quantities & enhances the flavor of everything.

This place is normallty crowded every afternoon & evening, but believe me, its more than worth the wait.

If you would like to add some non-vegetarian dishes to your meal, just ask for the chicken roast. A very well sauteed chicken in an amazingly spicy, yet not too spicy masala for about 75/-. The chicken liver fry at 45/- is a must try, if you want to add iron to your meal :)

And for someone not interested in a thali, just order the chicken biryani for 60/-. Its the andhra pulao variety & I personally favor it over the Paradise variety.

Don't look for ambience & comfy seating. Its just manageable. The decor would rank about 2.5, but the food would rank a 4.8 on a 5 point scale. Service is 4.

They also deliver around the vicinity for orders above 300/-. Call 2789 6565 for placing an order.

best outdoor places in Hyderabad to take your woman on a date

If you are anyway hazarding it, you might as well do it in style. In the first of a series, TUSHAR DHARA presents the best outdoor places in town to take your woman on a date.

There are times in the life of every guy when he finds himself trying to impress a woman, despite all his good sense. And there are times in the life of every woman when she finds herself subjecting herself to that, despite all her good sense.

Good sense obviously doesn't always prevail, but you might as well try to get out unscathed. I mean, there are so many things that can go wrong when you take a woman out. For example, you are speaking passionately about how you think June is the best month of the year (or something equally inane), and a droplet from your mouth lands on her. Or you stretch trying to show off your biceps and belatedly remember the hole in your shirt at the armpit. Or the pizza crust you're trying to break using a knife and fork suddenly lands on the next table and the middle-aged man there passes a rather undignified remark like "Ammayi pakkanunte ollu teliyatledaa?"

These are the hazards of the endeavor - you gotta live in constant fear of 'em, telling yourself that no pain, no gain (and, once you're wiser, what gain - but let's not digress). But there are some that you can avoid. Mostly location-specific embarrassments, like being hounded by a new beggar every 2 minutes, having a 90% male crowd around you that is 100% sex-starved leer shamelessly at the lady and pass lewd comments from hear-shot range, smelling unfriendly odors in the air and having to interact with unfriendly watchmen.

And that's where we come in. fullHYD.com presents a series of articles on the best places to go out on a date in town. Theaters, parks, restaurants, game centers… we'll have them all covered. And here is the first of them. The best outdoor locations in and around town to go to for a dignified ambience and a nice time (well, it's all perspective!).


GANDIPET

Gandipet comprises the most happening amusement joints in the city. 20 km outside the city towards the west, it has, in its vicinity, one of the most scenic spots in Hyderabad, the Osmansagar lake. There are whole loads of picnic spots around the lake making it an ideal getaway for families during the weekends.


Osmansagar - lake of the setting sun

The 29 sq km reservoir was formed by damming the waters of the river Musi. There are steps on the landward side of the bund that lead down to a small park from where you can wander off into the scenic rock formations that abound in this area. There are several decent dhabas nearby to take care of the hunger-pangs.

The popular resort Treasure Island is three-quarters of a kilometer from the Osmansagar Lake. TI is the center stage for all the star-studded music concerts, and comes alive on weekends with some mind-blowing music played at a deafening wattage. There are plans to bring the top rock bands in the country - Agni, Moksha, Parikrama, Pentagram etc., to play in our own Hyderabadi version of Woodstock, with the bands playing continuously one after the other for thirty-six hours. Keep watching this space for the info.


Elless World - fun at the edge of town

Also situated in Gandipet is the first theme park of its kind in AP, Elless World. It is open from 12 noon to 8pm, though the park authorities claim that they let couples (only) in as early as 9:00am. There are different kinds of rides like the dragon-roller coaster, Dream Girl (a diagonal Ferris wheel) and striking cars. The entry fee is Rs. 65 per person and Rs. 50 for kids less than a height of four feet. The ambience is not that great, but it is worth a visit at least once. One other feature is that if your group has more than 50 people you can get a discount of 20% on each ticket.

But the resort that steals the thunder in the Gandipet vicinity is Ocean Park. It is located just beside Elless World. The park is open from 11am to 8pm. It has got some wonderful water slides going by names like body slide, crazy cruise and zip zap zoom. It is greatly recommended for people who revel in having a blast in water. And that forms quite a majority.


Ocean Park - for the ablutomaniacs!

Though the fare is a bit expensive - tickets for adults cost Rs. 150 and Rs. 90 for children, with the parking and food being additional expenses - it's worth all the fun guaranteed in the water. School students will be charged Rs. 60 per head plus Rs. 15 for lunch, while for college students it is Rs. 100 with an extra Rs. 15 thrown in for lunch. But there should be a minimum of 50 students to avail themselves of these packages.

You can also hold birthday celebrations, conferences (?) and parties here - you need to contact their main office at the Blue Chip Arcade in Himayatnagar. The telephone numbers are 322-3824 and 322-5660. You can also call the park directly at 08413-33335, 33336.

Ramoji Film City - tinsel town in town

RAMOJI FILM CITY

Here's where the dreams of the most majestic kind are made and sold. It is the largest film studio in India (and it also claims to be larger than Universal Studios in Hollywood). Spread over 2000 acres, RFC has prime areas for shooting movies. There are more than forty gardens of all varieties, and elaborate sets that include jails, railway platforms, airports and the like.

RFC is open from 9am to 6pm, with the option of spending the night in one of the many graded star hotels. The cost of spending a day here is Rs. 150 per head. If you happen to be film buff, déjà vu is assured. And you might even catch a star delivering his dialogues or shaking a leg. There is also a special honeymoon package for newlyweds. For details please contact the film city at 925-46555 or call their city office at 323-5678.

DURGAM CHERUVU

Of the many scenic lakes in Hyderabad, Durgam Cheruvu, or the Secret Lake, near Jubilee Hills holds a place of prominence. The reason for this intriguing name is that it probably was a well-kept secret twenty or so years ago when there were no proper roads to get there. But that's not the case anymore.




Durgam Cheruvu - the hidden delight


The rock formations here are really breathtaking. Climbing one of the many hillocks that surround the lake would get you get a stupendous long range view of the area, with the Hi-Tech city just about visible.

THE SHAMIRPET PARK

The Shamirpet Park - a little bit of wilderness in your life

The lake here, situated 24km north of Secunderabad, is the most verdant of the lakes. Its isolation is an added advantage, offering you a serene ambience. There is also a deer park situated here. There are some cottages that can be rented through De Lara Resorts and Orchards Ltd. You can call them at 928-44510/928-44520.

RUNWAY 9

Hyderabad can also pride itself upon being the possessor of one of the very few go-karting tracks in India. Runway 9 is located near Kompally on the Medchal road, about 9km from Paradise circle. Though go-karting is the main attraction, there are also other sports like pool, archery, shooting and roller-skating on offer.


Runway 9 - the go-karters' paradise

There are also plans to open a cybercafé and a disco. But go-karting remains the most popular sport here, with the cost for four laps being Rs. 125. Runway 9 is open till 11:30 at night. You can book it for parties too. For details please call 928-32753.

THE HUSSAIN SAGAR LAKE

The Necklace Road - when driving is not what you want to concentrate on


If driving outskirts is not your cup of tea, you still have the Necklace Road and the Hussain Sagar lake to fall back upon, right in the heart of the city. The Necklace Road is a long road encircling the lake. With lawns overlooking the waterfront, it looks especially beautiful at night, when it is lit up.

There is also the Lumbini Park at the beginning of the road (on NTR Marg), a family place that is pretty crowded on weekends. The Tank Bund and the Necklace Road are good for aimless drives, but stationing your vehicle there while sitting in it may invite unfriendly cops - especially on Necklace Road. A P Tourism also offers rides on motorboats in the Hussain Sagar. This is quite fun in the nights when the lake looks like that ->! Only, at Rs. 75 a person, it is expensive too!

Hussain Sagar - glitter around the icon of serenity


So there. These are the places that you can take the lady to, places with a respectable ambience.

This is not a comprehensive list of parks in town, and you'd doubtless see some notable absences. Well, we're telling you where to go to.

Thursday, February 24, 2005

Eating @ Noodle Bar / Bombay Blues

Noodle Bar / Bombay Blues
Hyderabad central
Punjagutta cross road

Tried out Bombay Blues and the food there was quite lousy. The sizzler, the nachos although world famous where quite bad. Bombay Blues is a place, I would not ever go back & eat at esp given that my expereince at Bombay Blues in Bangalore too was quite bad. Although friends who have eaten at the original bombay blues in its city of origin - bombay- found the expereince there quite good.

So, was initially hesitant to even try out Noodle Bar given that its run by the same company & they all share the same kitchen along with Copper Chimmney or so I presume. But the chinese soup @ bombay blues had been the only good dish, so in the interests of culinary discovery, decided to risk it. And, I'm really glad I did. I now eat at Noodle Bar at least once in 15 days.

The seating is oriental minimalistic, so if you have a back problem, then wait for one of the side tables to get free. Otherwise just seat yourself at the first available table.

Start out with the chicken steamed wanton with mushroom (149/-) The flavor is light & delicate. If you like your meals heavily spiced, then avoid this item. The Thai minced chicken salad (95) is pure meat decorated with 12 slivers of capsicum, so if you are looking for a dose of veggies in your salad, this ones not for you. But if you are looking for a light single item, this can serve as main course.

If you are in the mood for only soup, as I normally am, in the middle of winter, head straight for the broths. The half portions are an entire meal for people with a slightly healthy appetite. I'd love to see someone who can complete the full broth. If you can finish a full broth at one setting, then I might sponsor your broth : ) Try from the tom yum (thai spicy) the Miso (Japanese with soya) or the black pepper one. Priced about 75 for the half & 150 for full. The half can actually be split into 2 and it would still be more than other chinese restaurants serve in a soup.

you can even try out your own special combination (225). They hand you a paper with varieties of noodles, herbs, sauces, vegetables & meat. You chose, what you would like in your dish & the chef will rustle it up for you. Gives an entirely new twist to normal requests (like hold the tomato, or extra spicy please)

The sizzling chicken chilly (149) is also an entire meal with rice served along side. This is the best of the sizzlers that they serve in my book. The thai red chicken curry (159) is wonderful & coming from the southern coast, its comfort food for me. I have this when I'm missing mom's & grandmoms cooking & am too lazy to rustle it up myself. The rice is a little less given the quantity of gravy. (unlike ohris on the 3rd floor which gives too little gravy for the amount of rice in the dish) But you can order extra rice (39) and split the dish between 2 people, if you have had heavy starters.

One of my favorite restaurants in Hyderabad. The waiters now give me great service, but it could be a perk of being one of the regulars. Because if I remember right, service in the beginning wasnt too great.

A word of caution, if you are looking for Indian chinese then this isnt the place for you, head to Nanking...... (another of my favorites + he's got the new brighter space just opposite the original nanking, now if only v can do something about the taxi guy in that lane who blocks all the parking spaces.....)

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