Little Italy

Despite it's a vegetarian restaurant, Little Italy is my favorite hangout place when it comes to Italian food. The never ending menu, courteous service and relaxing ambiance and a great view of KBR park and Jubilee Hills gives you a perfect dining experience.

This place is also special to me for two reasons a) I was given my farewell over here while I was moving out of Google b) About an year back I had my first ever candlelight dinner over here; they have a small sit-out facing KBR park which can accommodate around 4 couples; trust me, the entire setting is very romantic.

Lets see what's on the menu: 

Starters: Spinach salsa (spinach leaves mixed with some special cheese sauce) served with think crispy toast, garlic bread, tacos and nachos with variety of cheese dips goes unsaid; recently I tried mushrooms topped with olive oil, lemon and some herbs - it was not like love at first sight but gradually I developed the taste and enjoyed it.

When it comes to pizzas I go with Mediterranean and Bombay pizza. Pastas I have my own simple recipe, which, the chef makes it with love. Penne or spaghetti, white sauce with lots of cheese, quick fried onions, usual salts and other herbs, and lots of sun-dried tomatoes and broccoli, a pinch of red sauce can also be added at times for look and feel; just make sure the gravy is really thick. During my last visit, I tried chef's special Mongolian rice and it was so yummy that I immediately asked for the second serving - yeah love at the first bite. 

Desserts: Without a second thought order for chocolate bomb, my favorite sweet-dish ever. I so wish if I can arrange for this in my wedding menu.

This review would not be complete if I don't mention that when the last time I went for their weekend buffet they gave me a complementary Mojitos, Cheers :)

A yummy 9 on 10 for Little Italy. 

Sadi Rasoi

Finally I have someone to cook for me other than my Mom. Thanks swthrt, the dinner was super tasty and as you say thoda pyar dal do food will automatically tastes good. Way to go! looking forward to many more such lovely dinners before you officially start cooking for me :) 

100 Degrees

Although its not 10 on 10 but it still remains one of my favourite restaurants. I don't even remember the number-of-time I would have visited this place in last 5 years. Lets see, what brings me back to this place time and again.

A) The layout: a lovely terrace sit-out facing Hussain sagar lake. Sit-out is called 'the beach' probably because of the set-up and shingled floor. They have other interesting seating options like indoor dome-shaped area for buffet and bar; cozy private dining rooms which are see-through facing the terrace.

B) The food: I am totally in love with the menu, specially the Sizzlers, by now I would have tried all the non-veg sizzlers in the menu. I am not a big fan of their buffet-spread its good but nothing out-standing about it.

My recommendations:
- You must try out Guava passion, one refreshing welcome drink.
- Veggies: go for tex-mex sizzler or 100 degree vegetable sizzler its a safe bet for the first timers. Mushroom lovers must try Mushroom delight. Grilled vegetables and pasta salad in starters - basket of breads served with the salad is just perfect.
- Non-veggies: the menu is Pandora's box but my top pick would be Cajun chicken sizzler and Lamb shashlik sizzler. My all time favorite was chicken-sausage-sizzler which is no more in the menu for about an year now.
- Before you close for the day do call for La Tiramisu.

Now, let me tell you why this place is not 10 on 10.

Like any other Ohri's restaurants it has great ambiance but yes unlike any other Ohri's restaurant it has great food. Where this restaurant fall flat is their service, which doesn't match up with the ambiance or food.

Couple of funny experiences:
- Once I had ordered for a sizzler and my friend went ahead with the buffet and while waiting for my sizzler I ended up tasting something from my friend's plate, and suddenly from nowhere this waiter popped out saying sir you can't do this we will charge you extra.. I was like 'Are you serious'!!
- Another time there was some terrace lunch party going on but we managed to get a side table on the terrace itself; till 15 mins no one attended us all were busy catering to the party.
- They had a practice of inviting people and give them discounts on their b'days; Even I received a call one day, but sadly it wasn't my day.
- Somehow the team fails to give you that 100% feel good factor.

Food, 9 on 10
Ambiance, 8 on 10
Service, 7 on 10

Chutneys

Since the beginning somehow I managed to eat Dosas but Idlis could never go down my throat. One fine day, I was introduced to this restaurant called Chutneys; sometime during my MBA days. I still remember 8 in the morning we 6 friends reached chutneys and to our surprise, it was already full and we were made to wait for 10 long minutes. But when I had those melt-in-the-mouth Plain Idilis followed by Babai Idli, I could immediately do the ROI that waiting for 10mins made all the sense in this world. Plus that was the first time I fell in love with 'Idlis'.

After that for couple of months Chutneys was a daily affair, we went there for breakfast, lunch, evening snacks and dinners. I end-up trying almost everything in the menu, from South-Indian-Thali to North-Indian orange looking concoction of panner butter masala and from Chinese noodles, manchurian to cutting chai and all the fresh juices they served. My friends did find it strange whenever I ordered Chinese food at Chutneys, but guys trust me on this South Indian Chinese has it own unique yummy taste.

My recommendations: Ok this is a tough one, I may end-up writing everything in the menu but still let's see. MLA Pesarattu dosa, Chiranjeevi steamed dosa, Guntur Idli, value-for-money South-Indian and North-Indian-thali. A write-up/ review on chutneys would be incomplete if I don't mention about the world's most yummiest sambhar and the assortment of four chutneys including the new corn chutney they have recently added.

In last 5 years they have expanded and now have joints all over the town. I am sure today Chutneys figures on the list of must-visit-places of every new Hyderabadi in town. Thanks to their menu and consistent quality.

Without a second thought its 9 on 10. 

Subway

Subway, some say its nutritious and some its fat-free but I go to subway just for the taste. Its Yummy!

Since the beginning, I always loved this concept of customized sandwich; boon for the busy people - quick to make quicker to eat.

Initially, I was not regular to subways because somehow majority in my friend circle couldn't appreciate a sub. Last couple of years its been opposite, I have literally lived my weekdays life eating 'subs' - thanks to my 'swthrt'. They say best bonding happens over a cigarette, I say try out Subway.

My recommendation:
All time favourite RCB (Roasted Chicken Breast) with some chopped onions & capsicum, black pepper yogurt and barbecue sauce (barbecue sauce you will not find it in the menu, just ask for it).

My regular order, I prefer hearty Italian bread, chicken seekh, chopped onion & capsicum, lettuce, olives & pickles, sauces: lots of sweet-onion, south-west, ranch, black-pepper-yogurt, a pinch of barbecue, sometimes a pinch of mint-mayonnaise too. Buy your self a pack of chips, peach ice-tea and freshly baked cookies, the combination goes perfect. For veggies: Veg-shammi, veggie-delight and corn & peas is always a good pick. Somehow I am not a big fan of their salads, I find them hyped-up.

Its a great idea to try out sub-of-the-day for a week. As they say, its quick, its healthy, its easy on pocket and great taste. Its rocking 9 on 10.