The Paradise That Is Hyderabad....

We landed into Hyderabad on a cool and pleasant Monsoon morning. The drive into the  main city was a breeze through the PV Narasimha Rao Expressway - this is perhaps the only public facility named after the under-recognised architect of modern India. 

Once we reached Raj Bhawan Road at Somajiguda, my colleague and I were getting a little anxious searching for a decent place for breakfast. And there we found a small eatery called Swathi Tiffins, where we had the most delicious filter coffee I've ever had.

After a rather tense morning meeting, it was time to grab a bite. But for me ABC or Absolutely Broasted Chicken was a big no..... In the city of Nizams, a Nizami treat is what we deserved!
And so headed to Paradise Biryani's flagship outlet at Secunderabad....

Paradise occupies a huge building at a junction, which has aptly been renamed as the Paradise Circle....

We were quite late, it was nearly 3 PM, but Paradise was teeming with people!

The original Paradise was more like a small pigeonhole compared to massive building they have today...

But they have developed a clientele amongst the rich and famous....

And then came my chicken biryani! 

Delicious and delicately flavoured, a flavour that is distinctly Hyderabadi!

After the day's meetings were over, we checked into the hotel. Here I was pleasantly surprised to see "highway food" festival going on.... And I was delighted to have makki ki roti and sarson ka saag!

Indeed I deserve to be called a true Punjabi, for on the heart of the Deccan plateau, I gave the Nizami cuisine a miss and I stayed clear of the spicy Andhra delights!