Hungry in Hyderabad: Little Italy at Hitech City (finally!)

Can't escape the buffet

There are some places which are ubiquitous, everyones been there done that a million times. Eating at Barbecue Nation for one is as usual routine for techies as getting a haircut. But there is of course chance of  one odd which gets left out.

Same it seems is for Little Italy, I seriously don't know why I missed it. The countless eating excursions as part of the IT industry to the same old tired and tasted venues, its so bad I never got to try Little Italy in Bangalore.

Its a vegetarian Italian restaurant with very good and wide options. Ordering a la carte doesn't make sense here when compared to the buffet. So if its lunch time, it has to be the buffet. A wide spread of soups, salads, breads, starters, dips the list goes on. Plus you get to order a starter, pizza course and pasta course at your table.

The desert array is pretty good. The Mousses and Panna Cotta are great! We were warned to make room for desserts and its to be taken very seriously.

OK thats done, next stop long pending visit to Hard Rock cafe.

Hungry in Hyderabad: Dialogue in the Dark at inOrbit

Yes that's how it looks

This is my best shot of a restaurant ever, actually its just black color image. But that's exactly what is Dialogue in the Dark all about. Its a dining experience in absolute darkness, and a unique experience it is. You absolutely cannot see anything. All you have to guide you are your other senses touch, sound, smell and would you believe - taste.

Unlike a usual restaurant you pre-pay for your meal from the combos on offer, check in your phones (I like this a lot, I hate phones during meals), your watches and basically any light emitting device. You also get frisked by a guard for good measure. Past thick curtains you meet your server, a very capable and warm blind person who leads you to your table and looks after you for the meal.

You constantly remain amazed at the lack of sight in the new, almost alien environment where even discovering there is a plate and fork, spoon placed in front of you and how you and your friends sound. Those senses are highly amplified. I couldnt wait for my meal.

The server serves your meal deftly, and its a complete surrender to the food. Despite my unwashed hand, I had to dig in to feel what I am eating and taste it and know it minutely. As I said - amplified. I could really taste how good the various items on my plate were. Very nice experience to have.

Outside,  some of the staff leaving for the day in the background

And I really liked the fact that this idea benefits the blind, gives some of them a role in such an experience and some of the funds go for their welfare.

Its also a very good corporate team building activity I came to know, so I might get my future colleagues to a similar place later.

Hungry in Hyderabad: Ohri Rubaiyat, Hi Tech City

Imagine a place with food so good, it makes you come out of your blogging semi retirement, past bad memories of pre - carpel tunnel syndrome to  write about it. Past few months have been eventful, so anything average pales in comparison most of the time. Tonight's dinner made me write about it promptly, which is unusual.

My comrade in fork and spoon, Kartik the localite took us to his 'Number1' place for food in Hyderabad - Ohri Rubaiyat at Hi Tech City. I have always enjoyed the food here in Hyderabad everytime I have been here. Now that I am a resident atleast for the next 8 months, I have been discovering this city is so consistent with its food.

Bangalore may have a lot of variety, though Hyderabad has its quality. I have had countless Paneer Tikkas at innumerable restaurants in 2 countries including once made by a chef who once served Bill Clinton. I know the build up is a tad too excessive, but the Paneer Sufiyan here was really really good. Never had Paneer of such an amazing texture and taste. Definitely top notch.

We ordered a Peshawari murgi, Bhara Tamatar which of course after the wonderful starter were also great. The Murg was superb, the Bhara Tamatar even better.

Rotis. Had them everywhere. Never had them like here before. Flaky, soft, flavorful and of a unique consistency, I enjoyed this simple component of the meal a lot.

2 Mocktails. I am tired of saying awesome. A mint masala cooler and a orange twist were remarkable.

I feel the bench mark has gone way up when it comes to Mughlai cuisine.