The Himalayan Pop-Up at Bidri, The Marriott

A few weeks back I was invited to The Hyderabad Marriott Hotel and Convention Centre to preview the newly launched set menu at Bidri, the Indian restaurant. Among the appetizers was a vegetarian kabab called Arbi Aur Moongphali Ki Seekh. As I was appreciating the mashed colocasia and peanut based preparation, Executive Chef Yogender Pal mentioned that this was a recipe from the foothills of the Himalayas, his own state of Himachal Pradesh. He also mentioned that Bidri was planning to host a pop-up event soon showcasing the cuisine of Himachal.

Arbi Aur Moongphali Ki Seekh

Quick Bytes: Bánh Xèo or Vietnamese Pancake festival at Syn, Taj Deccan

My limited exposure to Vietnamese cuisine has only been through trying out a couple of Pan-Asian restaurants and a few Vietnamese food promotions in various hotels. Whereas Pho has been ubiquitous in all these places, I did not come across Bánh xèo or Vietnamese Pancakes. So, when I was invited for the Bánh xèo promotion at Syn, Taj Deccan, I was curious to know more.

Bánh xèo

Quick Bytes: Kashmiri Wazwan Festival at Firdaus, Taj Krishna

“Agar Firdaus Bar Roo-e Zaminast
Hameen Ast O Hameen Ast O Hameen Ast”

(If there is a paradise on this earth,
It is this, it is this it is this)
Couplet from Poet Amir Khusro on Kashmir

For one week till 27th February, Firdaus at Taj Krishna will turn into a true paradise for lovers of Kashmiri cuisine. The Kashmiri Food Festival here will showcase the delicate traditional dishes from the valley. Curated by Waza Tariq from Vivanta by Taj, Srinagar, the festival gives the Hyderabadi food lovers a chance to savour the delicacies of the Kashmiri aristocracy.

Tabak Maaz

Quick Bytes: Teppanyaki Pop-Up at Oriental Bar and Kitchen

Oriental Bar and Kitchen at Park Hyatt is among the top restaurants in Hyderabad for Asian cuisine. The restaurant had been recently adjudged the Best Pan-Asian Fine Dine Restaurant at the Times Food Awards 2016.

A Teppanyaki Dish under Preparation

The Delicious Pan-Asian spread at Mekong, Marigold

Mekong at Hotel Marigold Begumpet, has always been my preferred destination for Pan-Asian food. The place, which is named after the famous river passing through a host of countries in South East Asia, is located at a stone’s throw from my residence, and I am a frequent visitor here. They have a delicious Bento Box quick lunch on weekdays – you can read about it here.

Ikura Gunkan Maki with Salmon Roe

Janus, the Premium Grape Brandy from Sula and Remy, Comes to Hyderabad

I am a huge fan of the range of wines from Sula Vineyards, with a particular fondness for a product called Sula Riesling, a white wine with fruity flavour. The 15-year-old company is clearly the leader of the wine market in India with their red, white and sparkling wines. I have heard a lot about their vineyards in Nashik and was contemplating a visit to it for a long time, which has not somehow not fructified yet.

The Mediterranean Seafood Festival at Sheraton

Surrounded by land on many sides, Mediterranean sea is the main source of seafood for the Southern Europe and Western Asian countries. The Mediterranean Seafood Festival at Sheraton Bangalore is centered around this theme and is hosted in both their restaurants Persian Terrace and Bene. The special offerings have both set menu and a-la-carte grill options.

Mixed Grill of Fresh Seafood with Greek Salad and Crusty Bread

3B’s Buddies, Bar & Barbecue, the new restaurant from AB’s

The ABs Absolute Barbecues opened their first outlet around the same time we started our blog. One of my first blog posts was about this place. Since then, ABs has expanded to more than ten outlets, and our blog has seen more than a hundred posts.

In Hyderabad, ABs runs packed houses in both their Madhapur and Gachibowli outlets with nice cocktails, grill-on-table, wish grill, a nice spread of main courses and desserts. Many people like me however, could hardly do justice to the main courses and desserts after a full dose of the starters. There is good news for them.

Quick Bytes: Chinese New Year and the Dimsum Fest at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre

The Square, the all-day dining restaurant of Novotel, Hitech City is ushering in the Chinese New Year this year with a Dimsum festival. Chef Suraj Rai Adhikari from Pune, an expert in Pan-Asian food with a special love for dimsums, brings to Hyderabad his expertise gathered from his stint at Taj Land’s End few years ago under a masterchef from Cathay Pacific, as well as a number of dimsum festivals that he has curated in different restaurants.

The Dumpling Station at the Square

Bidri at Marriott unveils a New Set Menu

Set menus seem to be the in thing these days with many fine dines offering a range of such menus. The main advantages of set menus are that they spare the indecisive customer from a decision conundrum of what to order, whereas for the inquisitive ones it gives a chance to taste some of the special dishes of the restaurant at an economical price.

Tandoori Malai Broccoli

Quick Bytes: Absolute Marine Seafood Festival at Absolute Barbecues

ABs Absolute Barbecues, one of the most popular restaurants in Hyderabad, organizes periodic food promotions from time to time to provide a refreshing change of taste to their loyal customers. The latest in this list is "Absolute Marine", a seafood festival, which is on till 7th February. The festival has a wide variety of seafood items in their table grills, wish grill as well as the main menu.

Tandoori Crabs on Skewer

The Multi-Cuisine fare at the Oakleaf Restaurant, Oakwood Hyderabad

Oakwood, the world leaders in corporate housing and serviced apartments had started operations at Gachibowli, Hyderabad about six months ago. Over a short period, their longer stay options have become very popular especially with visiting professionals from abroad on a stint of a few months, and the property has been reporting extremely high occupancy. Oakleaf, their multi-cuisine restaurant serves Indian, Asian as well as continental cuisine catering not just to the in-house guests but also to corporate parties and walk-in diners.

Spacious Seating at Oakleaf