Tales of travels..food and many more!

For someone who loves food, the idea of meeting a gang of foodies was nothing less than thrilling. Thanks to Monica Banerjee for organizing a  Zomato meet on 8th October at Bombay Duck, Hyderabad. We were welcomed by three Zomians at the venue and they looked in absolute mood for a foodie evening. Place looked nice with more of contemporary modern feel. We were seated next to bar area..which looked vibrant with live mocktails been made. Though we were sitting inside, place has a good outside seating area as well , where in artificial waterfalls and greenery looked pleasing. After exchanging pleasantries we were served delightful Watermelon mocktail..which was beautifully done with a piece of watermelon hung at the glass and glass being decked up with ice..and drink was flavorful. I also tried Virgin Mojito..which was definitely steal of the show..at least in mocktails..and  has to be tried. Besides the look  which of course was very nice..it tasted equally amazing......

  I was craving of having ice cream...it was Sunday evening...we were just not in mood of going out and having it...so...thought to order something online. Here we came across this ice cream parlour which had like really good reviews...ice creams were not very expensive...as per other popular ice cream parlours...and on top of it..we got a good discount... So...it was a win win deal. The best part is the taste of ice cream...be strawberry or chocolate..it has most authentic flavor...it tastes just awesome.  Chik chocolate was dark chocolate ice cream in waffle cone with pieces of cadbury chocolate on it and a chocolate stick. It tasted super yum. Snazzy Strawberry was yumlicious too...it was dressed beautifully with anar and pieces of strawberry.  Since we had ordered online, there is nothing much to talk about the ambiance of the place. It seems to be a place we missed out in past.. But would definitely love to try some more of its ice creams.

We visited this place as a family for my sister's birthday celebration. It was very well planned as I had zomatoed number of places and finalized this one...on the basis of its positive reviews read here. As soon as we entered... It was a pleasant surprise for all of us...as ambiance was beyond expectation. Besides being Saturday, we easily got a very good table to enjoy our time. Ambiance- As the name says..it is a jungle themed restaurant with huge trees and wild animals placed around and complete darkness. It's one thing which is different and yet very interesting. The wait staff is dressed as forest officers, there is background noise of animals, greenery is delightful. Food- We had ordered Crisp corn as starters , and three different mocktails along side.  Crisp corn was usual one..not too good...similarly.. Out of three drinks we ordered we loved Mix of Anu. It was very flavorful which I felt was a must try. Cranberry delight, ordered by us was okish...as it was more of ...

Kailash Parbat is a famous restaurant of Delhi.It is mainly popular for its North Indian food. In Hyderabad ,they have a foodcounter in food court of Forum Mall. It is definitely meant to be tried once as they serve mouthwatering and delicious food. We have been there couple of times and cannot resist to order their Chole Bhature, Pav Bhaji , Vada Pav. Their Chat items are again yumlicious and is recommneded to be tried. The food they offer is reasonably priced..nor very expensive neither very economical.

This is a restaurant which has its chain outlets selling Vada Pav around the country. They offer different kinds of Vada Pav such as classic , maharaja, mix Veg and few more to name. Since this oultlet is very nearby my house, we happen to eat their Vada Pav once in a week. My favourite is Classic Vada Pav as I find its taste very close to original Vada Pav. They serve it with lahsun chutney and fried green chilli. Classic Vada Pav is a little spicy but real yum. Maharaja Vada Pav is again savour, served with huge Vada and is not very spicy. Sabudana Vada is also tasty and can be tried. They have some offers sometimes where in they offer free coldrink in combo pack. The only flaw of this outlet near Shilpa Park is the staff is lethargic..they are least interested in home delivery and in fact take all the time in the world to even hand over Vada Pav in their shop. The prices of the food items they offer are very reasonable. My rating is entirely based on the taste of the Vada Pav..as i...

This is one of the best bakeries I have come across in my life so far...they serve amazingly tasty cakes and cookies. I happen to have tried their cup cakes and cakes....and cannot decide..which is the best.. Taste is truly outstanding..dressing is done brilliantly..and it has that particular factor...which makes you eat more and more of it. The service is good and well on time.. The pricing seems to be little higher..but I guess such indulgences are acceptable on occasions. This is a perfect place for cakes,pastries and cookies as you can try out anything.. And would fall in love with it. Just a few suggestions:- 1. I would love it more if they happen to start sugar free cookies and cakes someday. 2. The staff can be more polite and sweet to customers.. as it is one of the best bakeries of Hyderabad..its their responsibility to smile , look happy and be nice to customers as their cakes do. 3. They should also keep some ready to sell cakes and pastries for craving times or short notic...

  We visited Crystal for a family dinner with a pre booking. Though it's one of the fine dinning restaurants in city of Amritsar but our experience here was no less than a huge disappointment. Our dinning experience started with an overcrowded restaurant which was buzzing with chattering noise all over.  We were given a table which had very little spacing between other tables..and it went from bad to worse when other guests were slowly becoming part of our table due to decreasing spacing with arrival of more and more guests on side tables. There was no one who came to take our order for almost 15 mins...and upon requesting manager two three times..he finally turned up to take order. Then arrived our order where in soups served were not hot...reason being..it was kept out of kitchen for very long but there were no waiters to serve it.  Further, in starters we had ordered crisp corn and they served honey chilli potatoes. On sending it back..they took all the time in worl...

This is a small place which serves some really good Lebanese dishes. Located on Gachibowli signal, its unique name and vibrant interiors attracts one for sure. I was out with hubby for a drive and we managed to grab something light yet different at Pita Stop. We ordered veg falafel and pita bread with hummus. It was served very quickly as not many people were present at that time in restaurant. Both the dishes were savour but nothing extravagant about it. Pita bread tasted really yum with hummus. Falafel was served in two pieces and was decent. Though, it seems the owner himself manages the place, he definitely adds a personal touch with his smile and hospitality. We also had tried home delivery where again the experience was good. The dishes we ordered were not in huge portions however with the price they are charging, its definitely to be tried once. Ambiance is good as the interiors are bright and different. Service is perfect with a smile and promptness of the owner. Food is good....

I don't think there is anyone in Hyderabad or has ever been to city whose not heard of Karachi Bakery.  Initially it was only popular bakeries in city however... These days every new place that opens is a bakery shop. Karachi bakery is more popular for its fruit biscuits which is the only thing I think they are able to keep pace with passage of time. Cakes they display are delight for eyes and tempting but are too sweet to be tried again. Snacks again like Vada Pav, pizza, dhokla can be given a try. Overall it's best for its biscuits but somewhat are not standing upto their reputation in cakes and pastries, may be because of increase in variety they are offering. You can also follow me on -  http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g297586-d3321088-r309168229-Karachi_Bakery-Hyderabad_Telangana.html#

Have been planning to visit this place since quiet a sometime. Finally got an opportunity to go on last weekend with hubby.  It is located at prime location in Jubilee Hills and has capacity to accommodate 25-30 people. Menu looks different with unique name of dishes and of course decor is yet another thing that catches eye. As soon as I entered there was some kind of Parsi ambiance that appealed me. Being stayed in Mumbai for nearly two decades I was excited to try out their dishes Vada Pav and Bombay Raasta sandwich. Vada Pav was yum and can say very close to Mumbai taste. It had perfect blend of garlicky taste and was served with fried green chilli.  Bombay Raasta sandwich was another delight with veggies filled in grilled sandwich garnished with sev. Though both the dishes had a flavor from Mumbai.. But I would still say it was not worth what they are charging. In drinks we tried Shikanjvee Bin and Chocolate Shake. Shikanjvee Bin tasted good and was outlandish. It seems t...

Cafe Nandini is one place which acts as savior  for all south Indian food lovers. In Hyderabad, there are large number of Food chains offering south Indian food..But not always would one like to spend on expensive places like Chutneys. This place is best for authentic south Indian food such as Idli, dosa, Vada sambhar , punugulu. They taste perfect, are served in good portions and of course go easy on pocket. They have Ac as well as non Ac sitting rooms. Service is quick and nice.  It's a place where you can find simple people enjoying food as its not much for ambiance...but for delicacies they serve.

  I became a big fan of Italian cuisine when once visited Hitech outlet of Little Italy for lunch date with hubby. After hearing a lot about Sunday brunch of Little Italy and reading loads of positive reviews..we fell for the text and landed up at Little Italy, Film Nagar. As soon as we entered, first thing we noticed was ambiance. The ambiance was beautiful with lot of greenery around. However, the constant buzzing of chattering around us was a big turn off. There was some kitty party going on...and whole place was buzzing with electricity. The waiters were neither swift not courteous. The spread was also not very interesting. To add on to it service was extremely slow..as waiters took all the time in the world to get orders. Funghi trifolati was absent from menu, pita bread was stale..and the drinks they served were completely blunt.The pizza did not stand upto its reputation. Overall the experience did not go well as expected and ended up with disap...

We used to see this place almost everyday on the way to office and planned to visit it someday. On Sunday, we were out for a drive and decided to stop by for cup of coffee and some snack As soon as we entered, it gave a very classy look with good interiors, nice display of pastries , croissants and many more. We headed towards first floor where again ambiance was nice with quotes written on walls, comfortable sitting and as there were very few people...it seemed a good place for small coffee conversations Now starts the main problem when waiter did not arrive to take order for almost 15-20 mins..though there were very few customers. Finally after he arrived we ordered Black current shake and a choco frappe. The waiter disappeared after taking order and came back after 30 mins with our order. The taste of both the drinks were nothing special..it tasted more like some normal coffee and shake was just like black current ice cream shake made at home All in all..we w...

This as per my view..is the best roof top restaurant I have ever been to..though not on a romantic date but for an amazing family dinner. Upre, is a roof top restaurant made on terrace of  an old haveli on the banks of lake Pichola with City Palace facing it. It is best for dinner as it gives you a breathtaking view of lake Pichola with watery image of City Palace dazzling with colorful lights and the elegant ambiance of rooftop is so perfect, much like a Yash Chopra movie set. The place is quiet with light music playing. Couples or families having great time. The food was tasty and worth the money. Though it's a little on a expensive side...but the view this place offers, makes it all worth it. This place is not much for food but for the view, ambiance and the memories you make. Service was a little slow...but what more can you ask for when you get extra time to spend at such awesome place due to slow service. It's a must visit restaurant on a trip ...

Kesar da dhaba is a must visit place in Amritsar for satisfying your taste buds with authentic Punjabi food. In fact it's an incomplete trip to Amritsar without going to Kesar da dhaba. I had heard about this place for ages and got an opportunity  to visit it for dinner with my parents. As you enter, you find it like any other dhaba in Punjab...with simple tables, menu on wall, noisy unless you indulge in food they serve.  We ordered aloo and mix paranthas , mutter paneer and dal makhani. To start with parantha, they were amazingly delicious and completed dipped in desi ghee. Mutter Paneer  and Dal makhani were served with oodles of ghee and made me fall in love with it. I must confess being Punjabi..dal makhani and paneer dish is like a staple food for us...and this is a pre decided order..no matter whichever restaurant we go...but this time..it was different..and completely heavenly. We finally ended our feast with FIRNI...and it again was toothsome and a must try d...

  It was an Sunday evening and we decided to have dinner with family friends at Taj Mahal hotel,Jubilee Hills. Initially we planned on ala carte but looking at the rush...people were queuing from hotel lobby to parking lot..and we were a little exhausted to wait for long,we had to go for buffet which was comparatively less crowded.  We were dinning there for the first time. And..What a lovely restaurant we discovered....Amazing food...good ambiance and excellent service. We were welcomed with three starters hara bhara kebab, crisp potatoes and pani Puri. All of it were delicious. Besides they offered two different drinks...lichi light and strawberry punch. Two kinds of soups were also served on table. The service was very nice and waiters were very attentive and courteous. Further...there were live counters of Pav bhaji and Masala dosa. Both of these dishes were worth tasting. They had a huge spread for main course which included paneer, malai makai, mix veg, sarson ka saag...

Kesariya sweets when opened seemed like any other sweet shop that gets opened in Kondapur until we tried its chaat. It has become one of the most popular chaat and sweet shops in Kondapur. It serves lip smacking suji golgappas..dahi puri is another thing..which is delicious. In fact..its one of the places...where you can try anything and it would be in its best taste. Samosa, Kochori..are also mouth watering. In sweets...I did not find much opportunity to try something... But am sure...even sweets would do justice.  The pricing is slightly on a higher side...but once the food is tasted... It is completely justified. The packing done by them is very proper and neat. Nowadays, its crowded most of the time. The only problem is they do not have sitting arrangement.  Overall , it's a must try Chaat Shop. It's a lovely place to enjoy evening snacks and the service is also quick and staff is courteous. You can also follow me on Zomato-  https://www.zomato.com/users/aa...

Motherhood seemed to me like any other responsibility that we come across in life. For the first time whenever we encounter a change in life, it seems difficult and with passage of time we get used to it and it becomes way of life. For kids, first day of school, leaving parents for first time for going to school, first time exams, first board exams, first day of new job, getting married all these challenges look as big as mountain for everyone who faces it. However, within few days, everyone gets so much engrossed in these major changes in life…that they completely forget challenging aspect and start enjoying it. Indian kids are used to hearing this very often by parents that they were amongst the most difficult kids to raise….and we are like “yeah…ok” everyone says that. Our mother would keep narrating stories as to what all she has gone through for us to see this brightened day…and again the same attitude we throw towards them is.. “yeah..big deal..all parents do..it…and so did...

This is a Himachal Pradesh tourism run establishment which is located near main market of Jwalaji and about 100 meters away from main Jwalaji temple. The hotel is very well maintained and has huge rooms and washrooms. Rooms are very neat and clean and so are the washrooms. All the facilities such as tv, room service, luggage delivered to room is available. In washrooms hot water facility , clean towels are made available. Hotel staff is helpful and nice towards tourists. Car parking is also there in hotel premises itself.  The only flaw in the place is that there is no lift and in case you are travelling with elderly people..this can be a major concern because rooms are mostly on first or second floor. As compared to rooms and hotel...the charges for stay are pretty reasonable. In short it is a good place to stay if one is planning to visit Chintpurni and Jwalaji.It is better to book before hand because of the huge rush in Jwalaji. Stayed March 2015, travelled with fam...

We went to Ethipothala falls on 17th November 2014...the place was very quiet and nice scenic beauty could be seen. However, besides water fall...there is nothing much to do...its few kms away from Nagarjuna Sagar dam and this place does not have any place where you can find food except for one small tea stall with nothing much to offer. Once you reach the place there would be a person asking for 20Rs.for protecting your car from monkeys....its better to pay him..rather then taking risk...Otherwise...the place gives a beautiful look of waterfall.... And there is a small temple to visit...if one wishes to. However its advisable to carry food along...because there is quite possibility you may not find anything to eat. It was a average experience... A little better than Nagarjuna Sagar dam http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g1177884-d3731739-r245085228-Ethipothala_Falls-Nagarjuna_Sagar_Telangana.html#

We visited Nagarjuna dam on 17th November 2014...its about 3 hours drive from Hyderabad city. The place is quiet and calm however there is nothing much to do. Its better to go when its raining or when dam is open otherwise....it's more of a long drive. There are not many places you find to eat food...so its better if you carry food along. The view is very beautiful and it's more of an one day trip. Boat rides is possible only if you reach on time...else you'll have to wait until the boat gets filled. http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g1177884-d2264884-r245086526-Nagarjunakonda-Nagarjuna_Sagar_Telangana.html#

We visited Munnar in first week of Oct'14. Munnar is covered all over by tea gardens and natural beauty. We were suggested by our driver to visit Kollukumalai tea estate  Kollulumalla is a place, 35kms from Munnar which is a huge tea estate owned by Kollulumalla Tea company. There is a very difficult way to reach this tea estate as the roads is semi constructed full of rocks on which only jeeps can go. It is a private property and only few jeeps are allowed for tourists for sightseeing . Jeep charges Rs. 1500 for a couple or one group and some extra 100 or 200 Rs. for entrance fees. It takes approx. 2 hours to reach on top , one hour for all the photography and sightseeing and 2 hours back from where we started. Jeeps are readily available from the place this tea estate starts. The place is indeed Heaven on Earth. I haven’t seen anything so beautiful than this place so far. It poses a breathtaking scenery amidst the thriving green tea plantations with the...

This restaurant is in Inorbit Mall Hyderabad and it seems to be a good location as it was all vacant of afternoon of 4th April when I visited with my family. So after wandering in mall and lifting shopping bags..it seems a good place to sit and relax.  The menu has good variety of burgers, Italian and Mexican dishes but is very pricy for the food they serve. Since I had heard a lot about Nachos they serve , we ordered Classic Nachos in Apetitizers...but did not find them that great. In drinks we had ordered mocktails which included Blue Pacific mocktail , Tropical Sunrise and Peach Breezer. Drinks were all very flavorful and were served in a very special style. I would highly recommend you to try mocktails here. In main course we ordered Bombay burger and Mushroom Jack Paneer Fajita. Burger was served with french fries. French fries were not that crisp and crunchy. Though burger tasted good. Fajita was delicious too and was a good solid meal. Food portions were large and ...

This place was on our list since quiet sometime. Finally, we visited Khaansab on last weekend for a dinner date. First thing that came to notice was amazing ambiance. It gives a royal feel. Huge elephant at entrance, attires of waiters and of course the crockery used gives a nawabi feeling.  After trying out roof top restaurants in Hyderabad..Khaansab offered a different ambiance altogether. It being a classy restaurant, is perfect for couple dinner as well as for family. The place is very well maintained, tables have good spacing, dim lights and great decor. Besides ambiance, the food was delicious and in good portions. The pricing was also pretty decent and value for money.  To start with we ordered mocktail and starter Cheese Subz Di Kurkuri which was savoury in taste.It was more like chessy spring rolls. Later for main course we tried Paneer Khurchan which also palatable with Naan and Laccha parantha.Food undoubtedly was amazing and one of the best we've had so far. Only...