Chicken Biryani LIVE flown from Hyderabad

Piping hot ! picked it up from dhawal at 12.30 am in the morning on his way to his hostel from the airport. it was still hot. it smelled impeccably indian. strong! i slept with hyderabadi dreams! i couldn't wait till i feasted onthe biryani. kuku was to join me for lunch but for unavoidable reasons he couldn't so i invited tanay and bela. bela got veg. biryani for her tummy. the biryani we had was rich in spices, little tangy, with succulent chicken pieces well marinated, and a warm aroma. just irresistible.
i have a few recommendations to make -
1. you must have a very sweet friend like dhawal who although is strictly veg. got 2 large packs of chicken biryani from Hyderabad
2. you must never forget to tell your friend whenever they go to Hyderabad to get chicken biryani
3. and never ever miss a chance to eat biryani from Hyderabad House
4. thank God for 1 to 3 above!!!

Bombay Blue

Well I have been to Bombay Blue once before with Mrugank and Gayatri, but since I hadn't begun blogging then, I am writing the review this time on my visit with Ankita and Kaustubh. (Notice I'm the Kebab mein haddi in both the places. :P) I prefer writing a combined review of both my visits in order to cover a greater variety. So Lunch it was!!!
I have had Humus with Pita and wasn't too pleased with the thing itself and would not blame Bombay Blues therefor. Its cold, tasteless and slimy!!! Not for those who love spicy food ( I don't but still ) and tasty delicacies. I specifically remember having Corn and Cheese Balls. Very succulent, cheesy and crispy! This time we began with Sev Puri which was nice but unlike the Chaat wale Bhaiyya's tasty, lip-smacking ones. We chose to have sizzlers rather than the regular fare. So One Veg Shashlik with noodles which was little bland, the noodles were not too tasty, and not many fries. Whereas the Non-Veg Sizzler of which I do not remember the name was amazing. It had Lamb, Salami, chicken, Sausage, etc and had an appropriate amount of everything and mustard made it sizzlier. Do try the sizzlers.

Date: January 9, 2009 and a few years ago!!!
Time: 1 PM
Occasion: Helping Puneites hang out in Mumbai
Place: Bombay Blue
Location: Phoenix Mills
Ratings: ***
Courses Tried: Snacks, Chaat, Sizzlers
Moolah: Moderately Expensive
Pricing: Rs. 250 approx
Quantity: 1 dish = 2 persons
Transport - Closest Station - Lower Parel
Buses - 70, 80, 91, 167


Prices as on the abovementioned date -
Humus with Pita - Rs. 145
Corn and Cheese Balls - Rs. 135
Sev Puri - Around Rs. 50
Veg Shashlik with noodles sizzler - Around Rs. 275
Non Veg Sizzler - Around Rs. 350

Bombay Blue certainly rocks. you get a variety of continental stuff alongwith a few Mumbaiyaa dishes. A good place to hang out with family due to the serene ambiance.

Disclaimer: The publisher, writer, blogger, or otherwise of this blog accepts no responsibility of whatever is written hereinabove. No claims or suits in any court of law will be entertained. Any similarity with living or non-living beings and/or things is purely co-incidental.

Costa Coffee?

There was no real reason to visit this place anyways. I was going to eat here for the very first time and since I had heard a lot thereabout and was very keen on trying it for once. Kaustubh seemed to be a regular pro here and he guided us and Ankita (Pune Return) to the one at Phoenix. The first thing Kuku told us to do is sit on the black couches. We literally swamped in as the seat beneath us caved in. We had loads of time to spend so were in no hurry to order. But then how can I not order??? So I ordered one Tropical Temptation described as 'Thick shake with fruit flavours'. I regretted that decision in the next 15 minutes!! I mean it stunk of milk, had no hint of any tropicality, and was certainly not 'thick'. On the other hand, Ankita had a Green Apple Mojito and it was indeed refreshing. Fizzy, minty fresh, and aptly laced with lime. A bit strong andit was enough to make me regret the Tropical thingie further. Kuku had a Peach Ice Tea which was ok.
Round One - Very bad ratings!!!

Surprisingly I went to another outlet of Costa Coffee in the same very premises. This time it was for desserts. I again made a not-so-good choice, weird by my standards - Marble Chocolate Cake or something. It was like the quintessentially homely cake, a bit on the dry side but nice. Sadly, in front of what the other two were having, it was a paltry second. They were gulping down Chocolate Truffle Cake with Vanilla Ice-cream and hot chocolate sauce. yummy! If I give this place good ratings, it is only for this dish.
Round two - Ratings Saved!


Date: January 9, 2009
Time: 11 AM
Occasion: Helping Puneites hang out in Mumbai
Place: Costa Coffee
Location: Phoenix Mills
Ratings: **
Courses Tried: Beverages, Cakes
Moolah: Moderately Expensive
Pricing: Rs. 250 approx
Quantity: 1 dish = 1 person
Transport - Closest Station - Lower Parel
Buses - 70, 80, 91, 167


Prices as on the abovementioned date -
Tropical Temptation - Rs. 80
Green Apple Mojito - Rs. 80
Peach Ice Tea - Around Rs. 80
Marble Chocolate Cake - Around Rs. 70
Chocolate Truffle Cake with Vanilla Ice-cream and hot chocolate sauce - Around Rs. 125


It's a welcome relief from the every evening Cafe Coffee Day though one is advised to not chose one's course based on the supercilious descriptions in the menu. Go for the tried and tested!!! And listen to Kuku!!!

Disclaimer: The publisher, writer, blogger, or otherwise of this blog accepts no responsibility of whatever is written hereinabove. No claims or suits in any court of law will be entertained. Any similarity with living or non-living beings and/or things is purely co-incidental.

CAD B

Whoa!!! Firstly it is January and its the middle of the mid-night!!! What am I doing at this place then? It's already so cold outside and it has also begun to drizzle. Am I still having that CAD B? Well I guess so! Anyways, Gaurav and Kaustubh have already placed the order, all I am doing is modify it from half to full!!! I have been earnestly waiting to lick my lips on this supposedly chocolaty drink, of which I had heard from loads!
I still am not sure how it will be. There is a swarm of collegians thronging the surroundings. We have been given tokens and there is an electronic board with constantly depleting numbers. And finally it comes... Not literally though, Gaurav brings it...
I am holding it in my hands, finally! Its chilled, dark, quite huge, and most importantly in my hands!
I am bringing it closer to my lips. I take a swing. Cold engulfs my throat. Its not too sweet, not too bitter, simply chocolaty.
But it is really hard finishing it. Its too cold and too much, especially on a full stomach. But I don't see anything great in it. Its chocolate with excessive crushed ice and milk, with a hint of sugar. But the best part about CAD B are the chocolate shavings on top. You begin by eating them and they taste chocoliscious!


Date: January 2, 2009
Time: 11.45 PM
Occasion: An extended New Year Celebrations
Place: CAD B
Location: Kothrud, Pune
Ratings: ***
Courses Tried: Beverages
Moolah: Cheap
Pricing: 33 for half amd 43 for full
Quantity: 1 glass - 1 to 2 persons
Transport - Find Awesome Friends in Pune!!!

Go ahead and 'chill' yourself to some cold chocolatey experience. It's quite cheap so it won't even burn a hole in your pockets. Better go on an empty stomach as this is sure to fill it up for you.

Disclaimer: The publisher, writer, blogger, or otherwise of this blog accepts no responsibility of whatever is written hereinabove. No claims or suits in any court of law will be entertained. Any similarity with living or non-living beings and/or things is purely co-incidental.