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Vol. 1 Issue 3 NOVEMBER 2008
ts of r e l A SMS DEALS HOT FERS!!! & OFe inside Se
Hair Trends
this Season A Home within
School
also INSIDE
Events calendar pic speak listings
Star studded
Service
Luxury at five star hotels in Hyderabad
Editor’s Note Vol. 1 Issue 3 NOVEMBER 2008
Hello Friends! Editorial Team Barkha Shah, Reshmi Chakraborty, Sandra Noble, Trupti Shetty, Fanny Chakrabarti, Sachin Somanna, Kamakshi Alagapan, Anto Thermadam Sales Walid Sayyed Ashish Prasad Photography Pranay Rupani Design & Layout Design18 For Sales Enquiries sales@metromela.com
For Editorial Enquiries editor@metromela.com Printed and published by Nitin Chowdhary on behalf of MetroMela Internet Services Pvt. Ltd, Plot No. 244, Kavuri Hills, Phase II, Madhapur, Hyderabad – 500081, Tel–0990813 2372 / 73. www.metromela.com
Edited by Barkha Shah. Printed at Brilliant Printers Pvt Ltd, Bangalore Disclaimer: Utmost care has been taken in scrutinizing the editorial contents of MetroMela magazine before going to press. However, the Editor and Publisher shall not be held directly responsible for any inadvertent misrepresentation of fact/facts or misprint, which may occur despite our best efforts.
How’s life been treating you all thus far? Hope all is well with you and your loved ones in spite of the gloom and doom around us what with the global financial crisis and terrorism. And if you’re feeling low, don’t sulk and crib. Just make an effort to rediscover yourself and you’ll see a whole new world. Talking about rediscovery, I’m sure you have realized that we at www.metromela.com have done the same. Not only have we changed the look and persona of the magazine, but we have also brought out the hidden jewels from within our website. So now the existing content from our team and from users like you is being presented in the form of Recommendations. These range from suggestions for romantic dinners in the city to institutes that prepare you for Trinity College of Music exams. The road to authentic and credible local information is definitely shorter now. This month’s issue of MetroMela magazine focuses on the traveler and the foodie in you. So we have details on great serviced apartments, luxurious five-star hotels in Hyderabad and even great places to stay in six other cities! And when it comes to food, there are exotic global recipes from Ista, hubs for midnight grub and recommendations for something as ubiquitous as Paan. We have also peppered the content with expert tips on polo and horse riding, advice on food and nutrition and a guide on international schools in and around Hyderabad. Look forward to your feedback to this latest issue. Also make sure you browse through www.metromela.com for more city-related information. You might just rediscover the city that you live in!
Happy Reading!
Barkha Shah
Vol. 1 Issue 3 NOVEMBER 2008
Event Calendar Hot Deals Pic Speak Ink Think Hair Trends
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Is it a Hotel? Is it Home?
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Walk, Canter and Gallop
Have you always dreamt about learning horse riding but never really took the plunge? Well, now is the time to do so!
cover story
A Star-studded Stay
If luxury is what you’re looking for, Hyderabad will treat you royally. ‘Cause the city’s got quite a few five star hotels to pamper you silly.
For the Travel Addict
24
Luscious, Scrumptious, Heavenly!
30
Midnight Grub Hubs Meetha, Saada or Maghai? Famous, for all the right reasons
34 37 39
From a cricket themed home-stay to a restored palace, MetroMela has options for you to consider in other cities.
From Thai Green Papaya Salad to Sushi Rolls, learn what it takes to concoct an exotic storm in the kitchen.
Styled to resemble 1, 2 or 3 bedroom apartments, serviced apartments have today become a good alternative to hotels for cityhopping professionals.
50
A Home within School
52
Food, Fashion & Fun Rubber Bullets Eat Healthy, Stay Healthy Blue Cross for Animal Welfare Listings
40 43 44 56 58
There was a time when those living in Hyderabad had to look north for a good residential school. MetroMela believes, and with good reason, that’s not the case anymore.
EventCALENDAR
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN HYDERABAD?
ART
ENTERTAINMENT JAZZ QUARTET
8th Nov. 8.30 PM onwards
Secunderabad Club
Performance by Interplay, an international Jazz Quartet including Sonia Saigal (vocals), Harmeet Manseta (keyboards), Adrian D’souza (drums) and Holge Jetter (bass-violin). 1st - 8th Nov.
“Breathing Lines”
Exhibition of paintings by Neha Sarai Kalakriti Art Gallery
28th Nov. – 10th Dec.
“Bonhomie”
Exhibition of paintings by A Rajeswara Rao Kalakriti Art Gallery For more details call 040–66564466.
JAZZ TRIO
9th – 11th Nov.
“Group Show”
Exhibition of paintings & sculptures by Surya Prakash, Sisir Sahana, A Rajeswara Rao, Srinivas Reddy, Chippa Sudhakar Kalakriti Art Gallery
25th Oct. – 8th Nov. Group Exhibition of Paintings and Sculptures by Aloptogin, Daniel Joseph, Dilawar Khan, Harish Ojha, Hement Rao, Nusrat Khan, Rajender Kumar, Sultan Abbasi Gallery Space For more details call 09849161384, 040-65541836
23rd Nov. 6.45 PM onwards
Taj Deccan
Thomas Siffling Trio including Thomas Siffling (trumpet, flugelhorn, electronics), Jens Loh (Bass, electronics) and Markus Faller (drums, percussions).
18th Nov.
Listening Post by Vasudha Thozur
Listening Post-the Voice Project and Narratives of Strength and Survival: the Himmat Workshops are the two projects constituting the second part of painter Vasudha Thozur’s trilogy of residencies in Hyderabad. Goethe-Zentrum For more details call 040-65526643, 23241791
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Vibe Revived with DJ Ivan and House Music 15th Nov. 10 PM - 4 AM
Dublin
ITC Kakatiya For more details call 040-23400132.
08 NOVEMBER 2008
EventCALENDAR
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN HYDERABAD?
CELEBRATIONS
Children’s Day 14th Nov.
Folk Art Workshop at Goethe-Zentrum Local artists will be coming in for the occasion and will create a mural in the style of Andhra folk art. Children will give free expression to their creativity on canvas. 29th Nov. 4 PM – 8 PM
Alliance Francaise
The European Day of Languages, launched in 2001, promotes linguistic diversity as a tool of greater intercultural understanding. For more details, call 040-65526643, 23241791 (Goethe-Zentrum)
WORKSHOPS / EXPERT TALKS
FOOD
Peas Vs. Pills
Deori
Dr. Nandita Shah’s Peas vs. Pills is a workshop to help you take responsibility for your own health and prevent and reverse illnesses through the understanding of human anatomy, psychology and nature’s laws.
Street Foods of India
15th Nov. 9.30 AM – 5.30 PM International School of Hyderabad
31st Oct. – 9th Nov. 6 PM onwards Hotel Ista. Hyderabad
25th Nov. 6 PM onwards Goethe-Zentrum Butterflies - their need for conservation; Butterfly expert Dr. Shetty Tejkumar presents the fascinating world of butterflies.
Savor the spice trail of India from a wide selection of Chaats and goodies from various cities of India; Wine and Beer included.
For more details, call 040-65526643, 23241791 (Goethe-Zentrum)
For more details, call 040-44508888.
HOT DEALS 1O% off
on kids clothing till 15 dec. 2008
KIDS ZONE
Shop No. 211, Babu Khan Mall, Somajiguda, Hyderabad - 500016, Tel: 39109000 Landmark: Opp Kalanikethan
10% off Kapaas
till 31 dec. 2008
Plot No. 470/A/1, Road No. 36, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 65888882 Landmark: Beside Latitudes
30% off till 28 feb. 2009
Kashmir Cottage Emporium # 8-2-682/4/1, Road No. 12, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034, Tel: 66132936 Landmark: Near Ohri’s Restaurant
30% off
till 31 dec. 2008
Haute Cotton
# 1-10-72/2/3/A, Modi House, Begumpet, Hyderabad - 500016 Tel: 39101335 Landmark: Next to Nike Showroom
20% off till 31 DEC. 2008
Maqdoom Bros
# 17, Prasads, Necklace Road, Hyderabad - 500063 Tel: 23450499 Landmark: Near NTR Gardens
10% off
till 30 nov. 2008
Sheela’s Arts & Crafts
Shop No. 17, Lal Bahadur Stadium Complex, Basheerbagh, Hyderabad - 500001 Tel: 23236944 Landmark: Opp Nizam College
Offers are MetroMela specific. To avail these offers, cut and use the coupons above while shopping.
Winners
of www.metromela.com Contest! Pepper Pods, Karkhana Madhu says that it’s cool and simple. She also suggests that if you like open air seating arrangement then you should visit it for dinner. But if you are a good eater, she adds, you should opt for buffet lunch.
Firangi Paani, Banjara Hills
Rated:
Nikhil says that the place has variety in both food and drinks. He recommends the great ambience and informs us about the happy hours between 4 PM and 8 PM, from Mondays to Fridays. Saturdays and Sundays are sometimes restricted to couples for entry, so keep that in mind during those days. All in all, he gives full marks to the place for the crowd and the ambience.
Rated:
play passes
for the best entries Congratulations Nikhil and Madhu! Both of you were entitled to free passes to the play titled ‘Main Rahi Masoom’ on 25th October, 2008 at Bhaskara Auditorium, B.M.Birla Science Centre, Adarsh Nagar, Hyderabad. These prizes are our way of thanking you for your ratings and comments. These have added to the 1,000-odd valuable comments on www.metromela.com. So keep those inputs coming in and share your experiences with the rest of the city!
Looking for more information on local schools, shops, gyms and more in the city? Log on to www.metromela.com and see what the city recommends!
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Guide serviced apartments
Is it a Hotel? Is it Home? Styled to resemble 1, 2 or 3 bedroom apartments, serviced apartments have today become a good alternative to hotels for city-hopping professionals.
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14 NOVEMBER 2008
NOVEMBER 2008 15
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living area. The single room is for Rs. 3,500 while the double room is for Rs. 4,000. It includes complimentary breakfast, newspaper, tea and coffee, bottled water and Wi-fi connectivity. There’s also an open air rooftop restaurant serving a large buffet spread for both lunch and dinner. Laundry services are also provided.
Urban Oasis
White Fields, Kondapur, Hyderabad. Tel – 09885434567 (Ashwin Jain), 09885321281 (Suresh) Meet guests, talk business or just lounge
L
ooking for temporary stay in a new city and yet feel at home? Opt for serviced apartments as you are pampered silly and still can experience the freedom and privacy of a home. What’s more is that you can rent these even on a daily basis. Hyderabad has seen such apartments springing up in various corners. Here are a few that www.metromela.com checked out.
At Home,
Plot #34 & 35, Green Hamlet, Kondapur, Hyderabad – 500084. Tel - 040-23118822 Budget - Rs.2000 Business - Rs. 2500
The At Home group has two serviced apartments in
Kondapur, Hyderabad. What’s good is that they have both the budget and the business class. In the budget class, a single room with attached bathroom comes to about Rs. 2,000 per day. It has a single bed and a common hall. While in the business class, for a single room it is Rs. 2,500. This has two beds with a TV, a wardrobe and an airconditioner. They also have double The interiors bedrooms are tastefully and suites. done with The interiors colorful are tastefully curtains and done with leather sofas. colorful curtains and leather sofas. They have well-stocked kitchens too. Breakfast is complimentary. Internet (WiFi) charges are Rs. 200 per day and Rs. 2,000 per month. Laundry service charges vary based on the garment given.
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Standard Single - Rs.1500 Deluxe Single - Rs.1800
For example, it is Rs. 25 for a pair of jeans. If you intend to stay for a longer period, for instance a month, then you could negotiate with them for a monthly rate. They prefer to do their business via e-mail, once you call them.
With White Fields, Kondapur as its nest, Urban Oasis has scored a goal with the IT crowd. Here they have two varieties of rooms - Standard and Deluxe. In standard variety, single occupancy is
Mandava Suites
Plot No. 27 & 28, Arunodaya Colony, Madhapur, Hyderabad – 500033. Tel - 040-23114477 / 88 Single- Rs.3500 Double - Rs. 4000
Mandava Suites, located in Madhapur, the IT hub of Hyderabad, spells comfort, space, privacy and safety from the moment you walk in. They have 20 rooms categorized into single and double. The difference being the single room has two individual beds, whereas the double room has a queen sized bed. All rooms have an attached bath and kitchenette besides a separate
For your fitness
16 NOVEMBER 2008
They have well-stocked kitchens. Breakfast is complimentary.
priced at Rs. 1,500 and in the deluxe segment, at Rs. 1,800. The latter has a king size bed and comfy beanbags besides a 26 inch LCD screen, dressing area attached to the bathroom and a laptop compatible electronic safe. In both the segments, the rooms have LCD TV screens, attached bathrooms and split air-conditioners. You could use the common kitchen too. A three-bedroom apartment can be taken (preferably for long stays of 15-days or more) at Rs. 5,000 per day. Additional benefits include free Wi-fi connectivity, free use of gym, library and complimentary breakfast. For gaming freaks, they also have an X-Box console here. DVD players are provided on request. Their travel desk will provide pick up/drop at additional charge. Laundry
Cook up a meal
services are also provided (around Rs. 15 for a pair of trousers). They charge you Rs. 300 extra for every additional person each day.
Emensee Suites #31, Kaushik Enclave, Road No.12, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034
Business Suite – Rs. 5,950 Executive Luxury Room – Rs. 3,950
Emensee Suites are serviced villas offering Executive premium, Executive luxury, Executive deluxe and Business suites. It has 10 guest rooms elegantly furnished and equipped with modern amenities. Double beds, dresser, walk in wardrobes, coffee table and LCD television are the basic facilities available in the rooms. Wi-fi and print from room facility are also on offer. Business suites come with two rooms, a fully equipped kitchenette with chimney and grocery on demand, recliner,
NOVEMBER 2008 17
music system, luxury bath, private dining and living area. Personal services include travel bookings and arrangements, 24-hour housekeeping, same day laundry and dry cleaning and even baby sitting services.
Reliant Suites
#7-1-29/C, Behind Shanti Bagh Apartments, Leelanagar, Begumpet, Hyderabad. Tel - 040-64501144 Standard Single – Rs. 1200 Business Single – Rs. 1,500
Reliant Sunrise has bedrooms with attached bath. All the rooms are air-conditioned and fully furnished. There is 24/7 facility of broadband Internet. Television and telephone are also provided. A mini multi-cuisine restaurant and a juice bar are also within the premises. Car rental and airport pick-up can also be arranged on request.
Serviced apartments are furnished apartments that you can rent for as less as one day or for several months together. These are usually selfcontained and have facilities for food, Internet, laundry and more. Such apartments are very popular among the traveling corporate crowd and now even as stays for wedding guests.
Other services include complimentary breakfast, 24-hour checkout, business center with Internet facility, laundry and dry cleaning, board room, on-call doctor and more. Happy Stay!
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st ar st udded A
stay
If luxury is what you’re looking for, Hyderabad will treat you royally. ‘Cause the city’s got quite a few five star hotels to pamper you silly.
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18 NOVEMBER 2008
I
f five-star is what you want, Hyderabad has a good list for you. Take a look at what’s in store for you at these five-star hotels in the city. And if it spurs you to experience a stay at any of these, don’t forget to rate them on www.metromela.com. Share your opinions and help others take better decisions. But before that, here’s our list. We’ve skipped talking about what’s available in common at all these places. This includes televisions, Wi-fi connectivity, Mini bar, boardroom, banquet facilities, Bidri, at travel desk, currency exchange Marriot is a etc. So here are the specific contemporary details.
Indian specialty restaurant serving authentic Hyderabadi cuisine, and is open for lunch and dinner.
Hotel Marriott # 1-3-1036/1, Tank Bund, Hyderabad – 500048. Tel – 040-27522999
No of Rooms / Suites Available
293 rooms, out of which 11 are suites. The rooms are divided into Executive deluxe rooms, Executive Lakeview rooms, Junior Suites, Deluxe suites and Presidential suite.
Facilities A rollaway bed and crib inside the rooms make
NOVEMBER 2008 19
for a convenient stay. For food, they have Bidri, a contemporary Indian specialty restaurant serving authentic Hyderabadi cuisine. It’s open for lunch and dinner. Okra is an all-day dining, multi-cuisine restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even mid-night buffet (Fridays and Saturdays only). The restaurant has live stations, which include authentic Indian dishes, emphasizing on Hyderabadi specialties, Oriental delicacies and Continental cuisine. The Clubhouse is the Executive Lounge located on the terrace, and has Wi-fi connectivity. Drop in for breakfast, evening cocktails, wines, pool, board games and the latest gaming consoles. There’s even Lobby Lounge that offers exotic flavors of rare teas and gourmet coffee. The Pub within the hotel, The Bridge Bar has a collection of spirits and wines from across the world. It’s open from 5 PM to 12 AM. Babysitting facilities are on offer and so is a wellness center.
Novotel Izzatnagar, Kondapur, Hyderabad - 500081 Tel – 040-66824422.
No of Rooms / Suites Available: 288 rooms categorized into Superior, Superior Fountain View, Superior Lake View, Premier Fountain View and Premier Lake View rooms and Junior, Executive, Deluxe and Presidential suites.
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20 NOVEMBER 2008
For a formal ambience, you can try The Square, a 24-hour multi-cuisine coffee shop or La Cantina, a Mexican cuisine specialty restaurant.
Facilities
Taj Banjara
If you are looking for something informal, try The Deli, a self-service takeaway outlet with a seating capacity for 22 people. Available here is a variety of homemade pastries, fresh bread, cakes, salads, leaf teas, ground coffee, thick shakes and a whole lot more. It’s open from 8 AM to 8 PM. For a more formal ambience, you can try The Square, a 24hour multi-cuisine coffee shop or La Cantina, a Mexican cuisine specialty restaurant. It’s open from 12 PM to 12 AM on weekdays and 11 AM to 12 AM on weekends. There’s also The Bar known for its cocktails, shooters and a collection of international and Indian wines and liquors. Also available is a wide variety of cigars and cigarettes. Pamper yourself at their traditional Indian massage center while your kids enjoy at the outdoor playground or the Children’s Club. There’s even Shahnaz Hussain’s Signature Spa and Salon.
Road No. 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel – 040-66669999
NOVEMBER 2008 21
No of Rooms / Suites Available 122 rooms categorized into Superior, Residency City View, Residency Lake View, Residency Deluxe rooms and Executive, Deluxe and Presidential Suites.
Facilities The hotel has three restaurants and a pub. There’s Waterside Café, a 24-hour coffee shop, serving multi-cuisine food. They also serve a variety of pre-plated designer meals besides hosting theme dinners on certain days of the week. Then there’s Strings, an international specialty restaurant, serving South East Asian and European cuisine
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hotels for lunch and dinner. Kebab-E-Bahar is an open-air barbeque restaurant overlooking the Banjara Lake, serving North West Frontier cuisine. This one’s open for dinner. An interesting pub called Underdeck is shaped like a boat. It has a live international band playing everyday and is open from 5.30 PM to 11.30 PM with happy hours from 7 PM to 8 PM. Don’t forget to try some of their specialties like their Long Island iced teas and shooters. Beauty salon, florist and babysitting facilities are available.
himself. It’s open from 11 AM to 11.45 PM. There’s even an Irish pub called Dublin, with an in-house DJ and dance floor. It’s open from 7.30 PM to 11.45 PM. A pastry shop, swimming pool, gym and florist add to the facilities.
Taj Krishna Road No. 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad – 500034. Tel – 040-66662323
No of Rooms / Suites Available
ITC Kakatiya Sheraton # 6-3-1187, Begumpet, Hyderabad – 500016. Tel – 040-23400132
No of Rooms / Suites Available At Taj Krishna you can visit Encounters for global cuisine, Firdaus for Hyderabadi Biryani and Golden Dragon for Chinese.
188 rooms categorized into Executive Club, The Towers, Kakatiya Towers, ITC One, Luxury Suite and Presidential Suite.
Facilities Deccan Pavilion here is a 24-hour coffee shop and is most popular for its buffets. Kebabs & Kurries is for Indian food and is open for lunch and dinner. Dakshin specializes in ethnic coastal and regional cuisines of South India and is open for lunch and dinner. The bar here called Marco Polo pays tribute to the man
EXPLORE YOUR METRO’S BEST MERCHANTS
260 rooms categorized into Deluxe, Taj Club rooms and Deluxe, Luxury and Presidential Suites.
Facilities A popular 24-hour coffee shop here is Encounters which serves international cuisine as a la carte and buffet. If you are looking for Indian food, Firdaus should be your stop. MetroMela’s tip : Try the Hyderabadi biryani and kebabs here. It’s open for lunch between 10 AM and 2 PM and again for dinner between 6 PM and 11 PM. But if Chinese is what you are looking for, hop into Golden Dragon, an authentic Chinese Restaurant, serving the best of Szechwan and Canton cuisines. It’s open for dinner between 3 PM and 11 PM. The pub here called Ahala has a great dance floor and in-house DJ. Open from 7.30 PM to 12 AM,
22 NOVEMBER 2008
it has different theme nights like Ladies’ night, Bollywood night, Rock and retro night, Club night and Karaoke night. It’s popular for the variety of mohitos, margaritas, martinis and single malts. An interesting tidbit – Mobile phones are available here on hire and so are laptops. There’s even a florist and beauty parlor on the premises.
Fortune Select Manohar Airport Exit Road, Begumpet, Hyderabad – 500016. Tel - 040-66543456
No of Rooms / Suites Available 132 rooms categorized into Standard and Fortune Club, Asian, Glass, Contemporary and Hyderabadi suites.
Facilities Start your day with a splash in their two-level swimming pool. Skip down to their 24-hour coffee shop, called Zodiac that serves international and Indian food. There’s even The Oriental Pavilion, an Oriental specialty restaurant. The Bar, the hotel’s pub, open from 11 AM to 11 PM, is your stop for imported wines from Australia, France and Italy. Airport transport is available on request. Have a Luxurious Stay in Hyderabad! Now that you know of five star hotels in the city, are you looking for great places to shop and eat as well? Log on to www.metromela.com and find contact details and recommendations on the city’s best restaurants, stores, night spots and more.
NOVEMBER 2008 23
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Cricket-themed The Bat & Ball Inn
For the
Travel Addict
Bangalore From a cricket The Bat & Ball Inn No. 3, Laurel Lane themed homeRichmond Town, Bangalore-25. stay to a restored Tel - 080-41426046 palace, MetroMela Double Room – Rs. 5,000 Single Room – Rs. 3,000 has options for you to consider for Chosen for its sheer uniqueness your visit to any of these cities.
A brainchild of former Ranji Player and National Junior Selector JK Mahendra, the Bat & Ball Inn also has star cricketers Robin Uthappa and S Sreesanth as co-promoters. What is unique about this place is that every inch of the wall is covered in cricket memorabilia, all of which comes from the personal collection of JK Mahendra. And what a collection this is! The Cricket Gallery here has a book on Ranjitsinhji, autographed by him in 1935, cricket bats autographed by greats like Greg Chappell, grass from Lords and more. The home stay has five suites, each named after cricketing greats like Ranjitsinhji, Sir Gary Sobers, Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Colin Cowdry and The Legends Suite. Guests staying here get complimentary breakfast and can also have lunch and dinner as there is a cook on the premises.
Chennai
The Checkers, # 30, Mount Road, Saidapet, Chennai- 600015. Tel - 044-43994399 Superior Single Room – Rs. 4,500
Chosen for its location and aweinspiring chandelier Located on the road to the City Centre
I
t’s business for some, leisure for others. Travel, nonetheless, is a part of our ever-busy lives. Probably that’s why www.metromela.com has its presence in seven cities ranging from Hyderabad and Bangalore to Vizag and Mysore. After all, isn’t local information sometimes the most difficult to find? So for the travel-addict in you, we have started with great places to stay in different cities. Cricket curios and more
EXPLORE YOUR METRO’S BEST MERCHANTS
24 NOVEMBER 2008
The tour de force at The Checkers however has got to be the huge chandelier that goes on from the first floor level till the top most floor.
1968); the first to introduce world cuisine in the city; the first five-star hotel ‘on’ the beach in Vizag and a trendsetter in hosting mega music and fun events for city folk. From the Apeejay Surrendra group, this hotel is part of a chain of five-star hotels. It stands on six-acres, with 61 elegant sea-facing rooms (including four suites) and lushgreen lawns that house pavilions and a giant chessboard! It has three restaurants, a rooftop bar and a banquet facility – all differently styled. It is also a swimmer’s haven (Sunday’s special package has unlimited swimming and unlimited liquor, with a ten-minute head massage thrown in, from 11 AM to 3 PM, for Rs. 999).
Cochin
Avenue Regent 39/2026, MG Road, Cochin – 682016. Tel – 0484-2377977, 2377688 Deluxe Rooms Single – Rs. 3,400 Executive Suites – Rs. 6,000
Chosen for its location and business facilities
from the Chennai airport at Halda Junction, Checkers is probably the best hotel for a mile, if you discount the five star hotels along the way. It’s a luxury business hotel with 110 rooms, besides a coffee shop, Rendezvous, at the lobby, as well as a Chinese specialty restaurant on the second floor. They also have a resto-bar at the lobby level called Poison that keeps the spirits flowing. All rooms have Wi-fi connectivity and are equipped with tea/ coffee makers, hair dryers, LCD large screen TV sets and bath tubs. Their tour de force however has got to be the huge chandelier that goes on from the first floor level till the top most floor. It
NOVEMBER 2008 25
has more than a hundred bulbs that make a statement of their own.
Vizag
The Park, Beach Road, Vizag – 530023. Tel - 0891–2754488 Deluxe Room Single – Rs. 7,000 Deluxe Room Double – Rs. 9,000
Chosen for its serenity in luxury and quiet grandeur
The Avenue Regent is a four star business class hotel housed in an imposing multistoried building. Their bustling 24-hour coffee shop, Cocoa Tree is right outside the hotel. Each room in this hotel has features like twin beds, color televisions with round-the-clock cable television facility, laundry service, telephone facilities, Internet connectivity and well-appointed bathrooms with running hot and cold water and luxurious tubs. This hotel has an Ayurvedic spa, Niramaya, to offer rejuvenation and therapeutic treatments for weary travelers. Conference rooms, lounge
The Park has a lot of firsts to its credit – it is Vizag’s first five-star hotel (set up in
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hotels The infrastructure of The Green Hotel takes you back to the royal era with its high ceilings, spacious rooms, large sitouts and ample greenery.
bar and restaurant are also available.
Pune
Suites in the garden - Rs. 3,450 (Single), Rs. 3,750 (Double) Maharani’s Suite inside the palace - Rs. 5,550 (Single), Rs. 6,250 (Double)
and inside the palace) are not air-conditioned (though there are fans) plus television and generators are not available. However, they offer rooms that are airy and well ventilated. The room names inside the palace are thematic like Maharani’s Suite, Bollywood, Writer’s Room etc. Indian classical music and dance, quiz shows or barbeque parties are organized in the evening for the recreation of the guests.
Chosen for its royal splendor and eco-friendly policies
The pool area at Deccan Rendezvous
Mysore Green Hotel
Chittaranjan Palace #2270, Vinoba Road Jayalakshmipuram, Mysore – 570012. Tel– 0821–4255000, 4255001
Deccan Rendezvous 202/3 Apte Road, Shivaji Nagar Pune – 411004. Tel- 020-25612345 Executive Superior Room Single – Rs. 9,000 Executive Superior Room Double – Rs. 9,500
Chosen for its great ambience and business facilities Owned by the Agarwals and managed by the Inn Hospitality Management Pvt
Ltd, this beautifully done up 4 star business hotel is surrounded by lush greenery. The suites have a living cum work area with a desk, plasma TV, comfortable sofas and a dining area. Adjacent to this area they have a special powder room for guests to freshen up. In-room facilities include a mini bar, tea/ coffee kettle, 24-hour room service, electronic safe, satellite television along with hispeed Internet connectivity and complimentary buffet breakfast with airport transfers. There’s also a fitness center, swimming pool, conference rooms, restaurant and pub. To read complete reviews of any of these hotels or to know more about places to shop, and eat in any of these cities, log on to www.metromela.com.
The Green Hotel is a blend of colonial style and Indian hospitality. It’s the Chittaranjan Palace that has actually been restored and developed into this hotel. The infrastructure of the hotel takes you back to the royal era with its high ceilings, spacious rooms, large sitouts and ample greenery. In an era where sophistication rules, The Green Hotel follows environment friendly policies. The rooms (in the garden
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26 NOVEMBER 2008
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D-cube Plot No. 560 A, Phase-3, 1st Floor, Road No. 92, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad - 500033 Tel: 23543323
Earth Bazaar Road No. 78, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad - 500033 Tel: 65528285
Inhabit # 8-2-602/C, Road No. 10, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 23358223
DaAru Shot Glass Rs. 200 - 2 pieces D-cube
Dinner Plates & Glass plates - Rs. 220 each glass - rs. 395 - 12 pieces inhabit
Basic Optima Barbeque grill Rs. 5477 D-cube
Juice Glasses & Mug 7 pieces Rs. 415 inhabit
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28 NOVEMBER 2008
Brown Ceramic Tea Set with Wooden Handle Rs. 1125 earth bazaar
Covered Lamp with Leaf Tray and Diya Rs. 400 inhabit
earthen Ceramic Tea Set with Wooden Handle Rs. 2250 earth bazaar
peg measure Rs. 400 D-CUBE
NOVEMBER 2008 29
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Luscious, Scrumptious, Heavenly! From Thai Green Papaya Salad to Sushi Rolls, learn what it takes to concoct an exotic storm in the kitchen.
E
xotic. That’s the word which best describes dishes that Hotel Ista’s Head Chef Amit Wadhawan churns out. Whether it is Indian street food or contemporary recipes from around the world, this chef knows how to present an enticing collection of culinary delights. Hardly a surprise then, that he has experience spanning Delhi to Dublin. Here, he shares some of his favorite exotic dishes with www.metromela.com.
Head Chef Amit Wadhawan from Hotel Ista
Thai Green Papaya Salad Ingredients Green Papaya, grated Garlic Thai Green Chilli Palm Sugar Thai Light Soya Sauce Green Beans, sliced Cherry tomatoes, quartered Fresh Lime Juice Roasted salted peanuts, crushed
675 gms 8 cloves 8 nos. 15 gms 3 tbsp 50 gms 6 nos. 60 ml 50 gms
Method Put the garlic and chillies in a large heavy mortar and pound them to bits. Blend in the sugar and soya sauce with the pestle. Gradually add the shredded papaya and green beans and gently pound to crush them slightly. Use a large spoon to scrape down the sides of the mortar and turn the mixture over as you pound. Add the tomatoes and crush them lightly to release their juice. Add lime juice and crushed peanuts and mix well. Transfer the salad to a platter and serve.
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30 NOVEMBER 2008
Sushi Roll Ingredients Japanese Rice Japanese Vinegar Sugar Salt
Method 3 cups 200 ml 100 gms 25 gms
For the Filling
Non-vegetarian Sardine Crab Sticks Vegetarian Cucumber Mango Nori Sheet
3 Fillets 1 packet 1 small 1 small
Wash the rice and bring it to a boil. Mix in vinegar, sugar, and salt when the rice is warm. Lay the sushi rolling mat on the table and put the nori sheet. Spread the sushi rice all over the sheet and the filling on the rice. Roll the mat over pressing it to make the roll round and tight. Remove the mat from top and roll the sheet tightly. Cut it into bite size and serve.
Extras
Sushi Rolling Mat Soya Sauce (Kikkoman) Wasabi (Horseraddish)
NOVEMBER 2008 31
As a Dip As a Dip
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Sesame Asparagus and Shitake Mushroom Salad Ingredients For Mushroom
Fresh Shitake Mushroom, stem removed 50 gms Ginger, julienne 5 gms Garlic, chopped 3 gms Light Soya Sauce 5 ml Oyster Sauce 1 tsp Oil 1 tbsp Vegetable Stock ½ ladle
For Asparagus
Green asparagus tips, blanched Sesame seeds, black and white Sesame oil Garlic, chopped Light soya Sugar
16 nos. 3 gms 1 tbsp 3 cloves 2 ml 2 gms
Method Take oil in a wok, add chopped garlic, ginger and sauté till brown. Add vegetable stock. Put light soya sauce and oyster sauce and bring it to a boil. Add the shitake mushrooms and allow it to simmer. Cook till the mushrooms are soft and buttery. In a hot wok take sesame oil;
add the sesame seeds. Allow it to crackle; add garlic and sauté. Add the asparagus tips, stir fry for ½ minute. Season with light soya and sugar. To put together the salad, arrange the braised mushrooms at the base and top it with stir fried sesame asparagus tips. Serve warm.
Chemeen Manga Charu Ingredients
Method
Tiger prawn Oil Mustard seeds Fenugreek seeds Ginger curry leaves
500 gms 2 tbsp ½ tsp ½ tsp 1 tbsp
Turmeric Kerala chilli Raw mango Green chilli
½ tsp 2-3 nos. 50 gms 2 nos.
Fresh Coconut grated Tamarind extract Salt
75 gms 1 tbsp to taste
Cut raw mango into small pieces and remove the seed. Grind coconut, turmeric and raw mango into smooth paste. Heat oil in a heavy base pan, add mustard seeds and wait till they pop. Add fenugreek seeds, ginger and curry leaves. Cook on medium heat for 30 sec. At this stage add prawns and coconut paste and stir fry for 2-3 minutes. Add salt and tamarind extract. Cook the prawns through and serve.
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32 NOVEMBER 2008
Double Cooked Pork Spare Ribs
Ingredients For Spare Rib
Pork Spare Rib 500 gms Soya Sauce, dark 2 tbsp Ginger, crushed 10 gms Spring Onion 30 gms Onion, crushed 1 no. Five Spice Powder 1 tbsp Honey 1 tbsp Salt to taste Water 3 ltr Oil for frying 250 ml
For Sauce
Hoisin Sauce 60 gms Black Pepper 1 tsp Sugar 2 gms Ginger, sliced 5 gms Dry chilli, whole 3 nos. Garlic, sliced 3 cloves Stock 50 ml Corn flour, diluted with water 10 gms Oil 10 ml Scallion 10 gms
NOVEMBER 2008 33
Method Take water in a vessel, add all the ingredients for spare rib in to the water and allow it to boil. Simmer the spare ribs for 1 hour. When the spare ribs are tender, take them out from the stock and keep aside. Heat the oil in a wok and fry the cooked spare ribs for 2 minutes to make it crisp from outside. Heat oil in a wok; add sliced garlic, ginger and chilli. SautĂŠ the mixture until golden brown. Add Hoisin sauce and 50 ml stock to the mixture. Allow it to boil. Season it with sugar, add spare ribs and sautĂŠ it. Add the diluted corn flour mixture to the spare ribs and stir fry. Serve garnished with scallion.
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Contemporary ambience at Collage
Midnight Grub Hubs Want to grab a midnight snack and don’t know where to head to in Hyderabad? Here’s a handy list.
I
t’s true that in Hyderabad most eateries do shut down before midnight. But, for those who seek, can a solution be far away? So here we are with a list of places you can drive down to when hunger strikes at midnight.
Collage
Ista, Road No. 2, IT Park Nanakaramguda, Gachibowli Hyderabad-500019. Tel - 040-44508888
Collage is the 24-hour restaurant at Ista and has a lovely wide entrance hall adorned with huge stacks of fine wine on either side. Add to the contemporary ambience, a breathtaking view of the Golkonda (looks splendid at night with the riot of colors reflected by it) and you realize that the fusion of traditional and modern couldn’t have been better. The
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menu has a good selection of all cuisines from Indian to Italian. There is also a well-balanced selection of desserts. The soft cakes are very appealing.
Okra
Hotel Marriott Opp. Hussain Sagar Lake, Tank Bund Road, Hyderabad- 500080. Tel – 040-27522999
This is our all-day dining, multi-cuisine restaurant. Midnight buffet is available only on Fridays and Saturdays here. The restaurant has live stations for authentic Indian dishes, emphasizing on Hyderabadi specialities, Oriental delicacies and Continental spread of pizzas, pastas, broth, steaks and salads, as well as an impressive dessert section.
34 NOVEMBER 2008
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Deccan Pavilion
ITC Kakatiya Begumpet, Hyderabad-500016. Tel - 040-3400132
This is a 24-hour coffee shop with a difference. They serve “mood cuisines” catering to your every mood. Which in simple words means that if your mood is to have a pasta salad they will churn it out for you. Or is a South Indian masala dosa on your mind? That’s possible too. So there’s lots to binge on, from Continental to South Indian.
Café TakeOff / The Pan-Asian The Manohar, Begumpet, Hyderabad-500016. Tel - 040-66543037
The 24-hour restaurant, Café Take Off, has something for everyone, especially for those with a penchant for international flavors. The range spans prawns to pasta and the chefs churn out the delicacies right in front of you. At The Pan-Asian, it is everything east. You get the best of Japanese, Thai, Indonesian, Chinese and Malaysian cuisine, in its original form.
Buffet spread at Deccan Pavilion
pancakes and dosas too. The dress code is casual here.
Pickles
# 9-1-167 & 168, SD Road, Secunderabad – 500003. Tel – 040-27703200
From the old and popular group of Ohri’s, this is a
contemporary restaurant called Pickles. It offers great continental, Mexican and Indian fare in a neat, simple and trendy set-up. During midnight, it has buffet options where you can sample delicious biryani, soups, a range of desserts and more. Its midnight biryani is really sought after.
Midnight Chaat at Clock Tower, Secunderabad
Encounter
Taj Krishna, Road No. 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad – 500034. Tel - 040-66662323
This 24-hour restaurant offers buffet at lunch and dinner but a la carte otherwise. They have an interactive counter serving pasta, pizzas,
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Can’t stomach these places because of the budget? Well, then drive down to Clock Tower, Secunderabad. There is a roadside vendor, who whisks up a spicy but sumptuous meal for you. There are noodles, fried rice, rumali rotis, omelettes, chilli chicken and butter chicken too. The fare here will not leave a hole in your pocket either. Of course, there are vendors selling tangy Chaat too. Those near Mehdipatnam, will just have to walk down a little further from the main bus stand. There is a complete range of road-side eateries here. So when it is midnight and you don’t know where to go, fall back on www.metromela.com.
36 NOVEMBER 2008
Meetha, Saada or Maghai? This time www.metromela.com went around sampling the betel leaf delight, paan. Here’s our list for the best ones in the city.
A
mitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan may have immortalised the Banarasi paan but this palate cleanser and mouth freshener has always been an inherent part of the city’s culinary temptations. No wonder then that Hyderabad has a good mix of small Paan Dabbas as well as special paan boutiques.
PVS Paan Mahal
Paradise Circle, Secunderabad.
If there was a place that could be defined as an opulent Paan Shop this would be it. It even has a menu where you can take your pick from. Ingredients range from supari, gulkand and qiwam to kattha, chuna and tobacco - all displayed like it were a showroom. In terms of
varieties you can choose from sada (simple), meetha (sweet), maghai (the twin variety), rampiyari, baba kashmiri etc. Their kalkatta meetha paan is quite a mouthful. They also serve a designer paan with real silver and gold waraq (silver leaf) and it costs a mind boggling Rs. 2,500. Also available outside are the very enticing ice golas (ice candies) which go perfectly with the paan. This place also has a huge collection of international cigars.
Dimmy Paan Palace
Sindhi Colony, Prenderghast Road, Secunderabad.
Kalkatta Meenakshi with Kesar
NOVEMBER 2008 37
feel to it with chaat, sandwiches, ice golas and soft drinks also available here. Their specialty is the kalkatta meenakshi paan which has a minty flavour and is filled with elaichi (cardamom). Do try their rampiyari as well and do not forget to ask for soft supari (bhuna hua chaliya) in your paan if you are not too keen on teethgrinding. We recommend the kalkatta meetha paan with extra gulkand (rose sugar), saunf (fennel), elaichi, laung (clove) and kesar (saffron) for the complete experience. This place also has a good collection of international cigarettes and cigars.
Made on the lines of PVS Paan Mahal, Dimmy Paan Palace is another designer paan shop in the city. This place has more of an evening hangout
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Guide Blue Diamond Paan Shop
Near LB Stadium, Basheerbagh, Hyderabad.
For a feel of the old neighbourhood corner paan dabba experience, hop over to the Blue Diamond Paan Shop at Basheerbagh. This place has been running successfully for over 40 years now. Their specialty is the regular patta meetha paan which is quite nicely folded into a small paan holder. They also have a selection of very traditional paans such as the Navratan and Kashmiri and also offer unique mixes like the Navratan Meenakshi and the Navratan Rampiyari. Looking for suggestions from the paanwala himself? That’s available too.
Special Kalkatta Meenakshi with Silver Varaq
Paan Shop
Near Sahib Sindh Sultan, 5th Floor City Centre Mall, Banjara Hills Road No.1, Hyderabad.
This is nestled in a corner near Sahib Sindh Sultan restaurant. The paanwala is dressed in typical Benarasi style with a dhoti and a Nehru cap with a nice moustache. This shop’s specialty is its maghai (twin paan). The meetha paan is also quite tasty and the supari is quite soft. Also on offer is the kesar filled rampiyari which is a nice twist to an already popular paan. It’s a must stop after a meal at one of the BJN restaurants here. So chew along the flavors of Hyderabad.
Special Kalkatta Meetha With Silver Varaq
38 NOVEMBER 2008
Famous,
for all the Right Reasons
The legendary Famous Ice Cream on Nizamshahi Road in Mozzamjahi market still retains its good old-fashioned appeal at immensely pocketfriendly prices.
A
visit to Hyderabad is said to be incomplete without seeing its iconic masthead Charminar, or tasting its culinary hallmark Dum biryani. But if you haven’t followed this up with ice cream at Famous, you have definitely missed out on the coup de grace. The Famous Ice Cream outlet is over 50 years old and has become a landmark in Hyderabad. So locating this place should be a child’s task. Even as you try to park your vehicle, the ushers at the outlet descend on you
to guide you to the tables or serve you in your vehicle. Well, the set-up is a far cry from the air-conditioned ice cream parlors dedicated to frozen desserts in the metro but many still consider the ice creams that Famous serves as better than the rest. Its specialty - the pot ice cream or the handmade ice cream - is an ice creamenthusiast’s delight. Famous has machine-made flavors in its menu as well, but the handmade ice cream made of seasonal fruits, continue to be its trademark. So you can gorge on flavors like sapota
Handmade ice cream at Famous
Hyderabadis got to taste the first flavors of Famous Ice Cream in 1953. Today it sells ice creams in handmade and machine-made flavors. (sapodilla plum), mango, kharbooza (musk melon), litchi and sitaphal (custard apple), all in the form of deliciously rich ice creams.
Though slightly sweeter than regular ice cream, each spoonful at Famous gives you a truly unadulterated flavor of the fruit you opt for. Mango is unanimously rated the best. Apart from the authentic taste, affordability is what makes Famous more popular. And on any given summer day, it is able to treat 1,0001,500 people at its outlet. So, whether it is a midnight craving or otherwise, if authentic fruit-flavored ice cream is what you are looking for, you know where to go.
The landmark ‘Famous’ Ice Cream centre in Hyderabad
NOVEMBER 2008 39
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40 NOVEMBER 2008
Fun L ife sometimes takes unpredictable turns. How else would you explain the detour of Vikas Passary who planned to venture into the steel industry but ended up being a restaurateur? Vikas is the man behind the very popular vegetarian Italian restaurant in Hyderabad, Little Italy and has an equally successful wife in Vinita who runs a contemporary fashion boutique, Anonym. Both are from Rourkela, a city in Orissa, and yet are in sync with the city’s culture, food and fashion needs. Possibly a reason for them to be chosen “Personality of the Month”. Vikas started Little Italy in March 2006 and
NOVEMBER 2008 41
It’s about the Passary couple; its tryst with fashion; its tryst with food… Vinita’s tryst with fashion goes back eight years when she started her own ethnic wear store, Marichika. This store no longer exists but its workshop now functions at Anonym. Ask Vikas about the trigger for his restaurant business and he says it’s Little Italy in Chennai. “This restaurant in Chennai was my regular haunt. I enjoyed the food and appreciated its eclectic crowd. Interest furthered and I met the owner to start a franchisee,” he adds. Though Little Italy is a franchisee, each of the restaurants of the group in different cities has its own style and flavor. Vikas, gave his unique style to the restaurant by starting a salad bar, Bean Me Up on the same premises. Right now, he says, health food has a niche
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Designer boutique Anonym
Vinita, apart from running her boutique has made an equal contribution to Little Italy; to its interiors, furniture, choice of cushions etc. For Anonym, she’s been successful in roping in designers like Varun Sardana, Kalol Datta and Anuj Sharma.
clientele with pasta salad and tuna sandwich being the fastest moving items. Hardly a surprise then to find Tollywood actors Allu Arjun, Prakash, NTR Junior, Mahesh Babu and fitness freak Deepika Mehta (Aishwarya Rai’s personal trainer) in its corridors. The couple has a strong belief in customer feedback. In the initial years, Vikas stayed on the floor to get direct feedback and even made note of what food was being rejected. He’s learnt the hard way up but now seems to know the tricks of the trade. Maybe that’s why he has his eyes set on Gachibowli and Secunderabad for expansion. Vinita, apart from running her boutique has made an equal contribution to Little Italy; to its interiors, furniture, choice of cushions etc. For Anonym, she’s been successful in roping in designers like
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The Passary couple
Varun Sardana, Kalol Datta and Anuj Sharma. Of course, Business – Food and Fashion she designs too and has a contemporary Belief – Art of Living style of fashion in Binding Force – Ahi, their tops, dresses, tunics, daughter shirts and trousers. Anonym also has a collection of designer bags, shoes and an assortment of jewelry Mainland China for Chinese and is known to host fun and Strings at the Taj for Thai fashion events at its premises. cuisine. But of course, now The illustrious couple has their visit doesn’t just focus on a rollicking lifestyle thanks the food they eat. Their mind to their ventures and their invariably delves into the finer 16-month old daughter, Ahi. details like the décor or the However, they stay grounded crockery. Haven’t we heard through Art of Living about mixing business with courses. They attend regular pleasure? workshops and even host one at Little Italy every morning between 5.30 AM and 8 AM. Apart from meditation, the couple eases out by dining at Waterfront for Indian,
42 NOVEMBER 2008
It’s not always that we get a recipe from a www.metromela.com user that’s as hilarious as this one. Kim Noble, who provides training in corporate communications, has shared his tips on making a fruit salad. Know more about what to do and what to avoid from this Elvis impersonator.
How (not) to make Fruit Salad A Man’s Survival Guide
Planning:
Process:
Wait till the wife is out of the house.
Ingredients:
1. Go to the fridge, open it and look for the fruit compartment (you will need to look beyond the Budweiser) 2. Select fruits that are easy to slice – bananas are the best choice, apples need a little work and oranges require peeling. If you find a large, prickly, oblong thing, it’s probably a pineapple – that’s what it looks like from the outside. 3. Take the fruits and place on the kitchen counter.
Equipment:
1. Look for cutting knife. If you can’t find it, look for cutlery set. If you can’t find it, look for cutlery tray, drawer, cupboard… whatever. Not found? Curse, then head for garage. a. Open tool-kit. b. Choose any knife that is smaller than a hacksaw. c. Wipe off grease on jeans. 2. Go back to the house, switch on the TV as you pass the living room, choose channel of your choice – ESPN, FTV, ESPN, FTV or FTV - and stare at moving images on screen for 7 minutes. Scratch. Move to kitchen.
1. Start slicing fruits – starting with the softest (remember to peel the banana before doing this). Attack harder fruits as if you were macheting them. 2. Take all sliced (and unsliced) fruits and dump into mixer. 3. Start mixer. 4. Stop mixer. Run and locate the mixer lid. Pick up all the scattered fruit particles from around the kitchen and place back in mixer. Hold mixer lid in place this time. 5. Start mixer. 6. Stop mixer. a. Go to fridge, look for a packet of fresh cream. b. Can’t find cream? Take out milk jug and skim top for cream. c. Not enough? Pour milk into mixer as substitute for missing cream. 7. Start mixer. 8. Go to living room TV to check score; cheer and curse intermittently. 9. Run back to kitchen when you hear spluttering sound. 10. Slip on spilled milky fruit pulp on floor. Get up. Lunge for mixer cord and pull plug. Locate sponge, mopping cloth or towel.
11. Stand on counter, look around and admire the work of art. 12. Start wiping ceiling, walls, door etc. 13. Give up; pause; look down at mixer. 14. Get down; pour remainder into tall glass. 15. Stroll with glass to living room.
Finale:
1. Freeze when you hear doorbell. 2. Open door; let in wife. 3. Keep talking fast. Ask her about her day, invite her to relax in your La-z-boy, stand between her and the rest of the house; block her view and path to the kitchen. 4. Pick up tall glass of fruit salad and offer it to her. 5. Ask her for her feedback as she takes a sip. 6. Accept her compliment for a fine ‘mixed fruit milkshake’. 7. Stand rooted as she walks towards kitchen. 8. Close jaw and move at lightning speed. 9. Grab car keys as you fly out of front door.
How to make Fruit Salad A Survived Man’s Guide
In 2 easy steps: Step1: Step2:
Buy wife jewelry. Ask her to make you a fruit salad.
NOVEMBER 2008 43
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Eat Healthy, Stay Healthy Is it alright to skip meals? Is a vegetarian diet healthier? To answer these questions and more, here’s an expert guide from a nutrition therapist.
health expert
sudha rama
H
ave you ever wondered how it is always the diet that undergoes a change when it comes to improving health? Our faced-paced lifestyles leave us with hardly any time for cooking up simple and nutritious meals. However, sane eating habits need to find their way back again into our lifestyle. Sudha Rama, a nutrition therapist with Delphis, a healthcare center into homeopathy, nutrition therapy, psychology and physiotherapy, tells us how.
Basic Food Funda Freshness and quality of food always take priority over the quantity.
Drink Healthy Fresh juices are the best. Packed juices are processed juices with no live nutrients in them. These have sugars, preservatives and colors added to make them look like
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the original juice. Soft drinks are better avoided. They have a lot of sugar and indigestible acids, they cause eroding of the tooth enamel, fermentation of your food, they upset your ph balance and more.
Greens Vs Meat Vegetarian food is easier to digest (takes just three hours while meat takes more than eight hours). Vegetarian diet has more fiber in it. Heart attacks are seven times more frequent in meat eaters, when compared to vegetarians with the same lifestyles. But in case of cultural norms where one cannot avoid eating meat, one can compensate by adding a lot of vegetables to the meat while cooking.
Water and Health For every 10 kilograms of weight, you require about 250 ml of water. Climatic conditions and water texture also define
44 NOVEMBER 2008
“It may sound a little old fashioned, but the best diet would be the one our grandmoms followed; the wholesome and fresh food diets! There were no refined and processed foods then. They never had any of these modern day diseases. Everything was fresh from nature. Their longevity thus comes as no surprise.” the amount of water required. The best thing to do is to listen to your body. If it’s difficult to decipher what your body’s saying, keep drinking small amounts continuously.
Kids and Junk Food The lesser the amount of junk food, children are allowed to eat the better it is for them. This is especially since their bodies are still growing and they would need good food to develop their vital organs. Junk food though tasty may not have any nutrients. Besides, they may rob the body of essential nutrients by using them to digest the ‘junk’. This may make the child cranky, hyperactive and bring about a loss in concentration levels.
Skipping Meals Your body is the best judge in these matters. If you feel sleepy and exhausted after a heavy meal, you can keep off food until you feel energetic and alert again. Otherwise, there is no harm in eating a fruit during those hours. The same applies for the guilt trip that one goes through after binging on junk food. Don’t skip the meal totally, but compensate with some cleansing food like fruits, which serve a double purpose of providing quick nutrition as well as cleaning up the bad effects of wrong foods.
Additional Supplements If the diet is well balanced and
NOVEMBER 2008 45
Nutrition therapist Sudha Rama
wholesome there is no need to take any supplements. But since modern day life puts an enormous amount of pressure on our bodies, we’re probably burning up more nutrients comparatively. In such situations, supplements can help though preferably natural or herbal ones, as these are easier to absorb. You could also go in for a homeopathic remedy, where your symptoms are tailored according to your constitution. “It may sound a little old fashioned, but the best diet would be the one our grandmoms followed; the wholesome and fresh food diets! There were no refined and processed foods then. They never had any of these modern day diseases. Everything was fresh from nature. Their longevity thus comes as no surprise. In fact cancer was unknown among Eskimos, until sugar
was introduced in their diet,” reveals Sudha, adding that seasonal foods are in themselves a guide to good food for us. The key, as she reiterates, is in listening to the body and listening to nature. To know more about Delphis and other health and wellness centers in the city, try www.metromela.com.
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Gyms, Spas and Salons
Ink Think A style statement or a reflection of your thoughts. Call it what you will, but the fact remains that Tattooing is a fast catching fad.
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46 NOVEMBER 2008
I
t did not take a Saif to make tattoos a fad. This decorative body art has been around since the Neolithic Age. The difference is that while earlier it symbolized rank, spirituality, mark of bravery or even an outcast, today its value is primarily cosmetic. So are you looking at getting one done too? If yes, then here’s a list from www. metromela.com on the popular ones in Hyderabad. Read on.
Hakim’s Aalim Hair and Tattoo Lounge
Envy Tattoos & Body Piercing
#1-8-91/19/1, Prenderghast Road, Jawahar Nagar Colony, Beside Dimmy’s Pan Shop, Secunderabad. Tel - 98855 20009, 99087 90000, 040-4002 3309
Envy Tattoos is run by Sameer Mehta. He charges Rs. 500 per square inch and works only through appointments. He does color and black tattoos, besides body piercing and cosmetic correction through permanent tattooing. All the needles are use and throw. In fact, he gives you those needles once your tattoo is done with so that if you need modifications, you can come back with it. He assists you with suggestions too.
Tattoo comes from the word ‘tatau’ which means to mark twice. Animals are also tattooed for identification purposes. A tattoo flash is a tattoo design drawn or printed on paper / cardboard. At tattoo parlours, it gives you ideas for tattoos.
NOVEMBER 2008 47
Lloyd Tattoos
Sikh Village, Diamond Point, Secunderabad. Tel - 040-2789 2900, 98496 73196
Lloyd is the name of the person who does the tattoos and therefore the name. Permanent tattoos and body piercing are the services they provide. Lloyd says his needles are imported from California and are use and throw - single person, single pack. Charges are defined as per the design, the number of needles used and the amount of work needed. They are open from 10 AM to 8 PM and work only through appointments. Their slogan aptly says, “You think it, We ink it”.
Alcazar Plaza, Road No. 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. Tel - 040-2330 5371/72
The tattoo booth here is called Dash and it is definitely for those who wish to indulge. They charge Rs. 2,500 per square inch. Be it temporary or permanent, ear piercing or accessorizing, you can get all of that done here. Wanna know the names of some of their clients? Hold your breath ‘cause we are told the list includes Sanjay Dutt, Saif Ali Khan and Kajol. Sultan Shaikh is the man behind the work and he is there between 11 AM and 8 PM.
Conceptualizing the design
Things to Remember 1. If you are getting a permanent tattoo done then make sure you are absolutely in love with the design. Once done, a tattoo can be only removed by laser surgery but it can leave pigmentation. 2. A tattoo, when fresh, is like a wound. It forms a scab and you have to be careful while bathing, at that time. 3. Make sure to use a disposable kit each time and that it is handed over to you once the tattoo is done. The disposable kit contains everything from gloves to needles and even dyes. Use vegetable dyes as they are far safer than other dyes, which could have a lead content. 4. Keep in mind what you do for work and the type of social circles you are in. You might want to consider placing your tattoo where it can be easily covered with normal clothing.
5. Although you can get a tattoo any time of the year, your skin gets a lot more abuse during the summer with swimming, tanning etc. Winter is really the best season to get a tattoo done. 6. Your tattoo will go through several different stages, one of the last being the peeling stage. Once the peeling has finished, your skin will start to regenerate and produce a new protective layer over your tattoo. Once this new layer has appeared, it is usually safe to get unwanted hair removed again. But consult your dermatologist or your tattoo artist. 7. Make sure the tattoo studio has an autoclave (a device that uses steam, pressure, and heat for sterilization). You should be allowed to watch as the equipment is sterilized in the autoclave.
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expert Guide Gyms, Spas and Salons style expert
lucas
Hair is no longer the last thing on your mind when it comes to making an impression. In fact, for many it is the first.
HairTrends thisSeason
M
irrors is a well-known Hyderabad based salon. Owned by Vijayalakshmi, it has been around for the last six-years. MetroMela caught up with Lucas C, the Style Director at the salon in Hyderabad to know more about what’s in this season. Lucas also shared some hair care tips with us.
Haircuts and treatment Lucas tells us the trend this season is on easy maintenance. The hair tends to get flat this season so haircuts and treatments to increase volume are in. The products are to be used keeping in mind your hair texture and scalp condition and its requirement of higher
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48 NOVEMBER 2008
shampoo is a good routine to follow. So give your hair a new style and yourself a new look.
Mirrors
Plot No. 66, Road No. 1, Jubilee Hills, Near Chiranjeevi Blood Bank, Hyderabad – 33. Tel – 040-23544236
What’s in á Clean and Classic look for Men
Sit at ease and get pampered
or lower Ph levels. So better to get it done from a professional who uses branded products like Label M, Tony & Guy, Schwarzkopf, L’Oreal, Wella, American Crew and Paul Mitchell.
Trends this season Straight hair never really goes out of fashion, but for now, wavy and curly hair is in. The hair trend for men is clean and classic, and for college goers it is the messed up look. Women who prefer the traditional long hair could continue with the length but with a difference in cut. College girls could go for the short or long funky cuts. For round or square faced people, short hair looks the best and for those with an oval face, long hair suits better.
Colors that are in Popular colors are copper, coffee, maroon and purple
for the warmer (darker) skin tones and ash, cinnamon and tobacco for the cooler (lighter) skin tones.
3. Oiling your hair once a week, leaving it on for 45 minutes and washing it off with a deep cleansing
á Messed up look for Collegians á Wavy and Curly hair for Women
Accessorize with For men accessories like hair bands, bandanas and rubber bands and for women colorful hair extensions and brooches are a fad. Having the hair neatly tied up for work and accessorized open hair for parties, is the ongoing style.
Hair Care Tips 1. Changing your shampoo and conditioner every three months is necessary to keep up with the different seasonal changes. So use a moisturizing shampoo during winter and a deep cleansing shampoo along with a moisturizing conditioner in summer. A leave-in conditioner can be used across all seasons. 2. Use light and easy to rinse off styling products. You need not change these frequently.
NOVEMBER 2008 49
Lucas at work
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Expert Guide Kids’ Extracurricular riding expert
Walk, Canter and Gallop ‘L
et other people play other things - the king of games is still the game of kings.’ This ancient verse is inscribed on a stone tablet next to a Polo ground in Gilgit, north of Kashmir and it very well sums up the essence of the game of Polo. Maybe that’s why, we at www.metromela.com, spoke with Chaitania Kumar, owner of Hyderabad Polo and Riding Club (HPRC) to give you a lowdown on the sport. Chaitania graduated from and played Polo for the Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana for three years. Back in India, he owns and plays
Have you always dreamt about learning horse riding but never really took the plunge? Well, now is the for the Hyderabad Polo Team. Here are his basic tips for those looking to start.
Chaitania kumar
time to do so!
Tips for Riding 1. Dress right in a T-shirt with jeans or breeches. As far as footwear is concerned wear sports shoes or any heavy leather boots with heels. 2. One requires a lot of
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50 NOVEMBER 2008
commitment and an average of 30 to 40 rides to become a professional rider. Also important is for the rider to have immense respect, love and understanding of the horse. Riding regularly is the best way to keep fit and stay in touch with the sport. 3. Horse riding has many rewarding professional avenues, like racing, polo, show jumping, dressage, horse care and management. Depending on what a person wants to do, there are various schools and training colleges like the NCC, NDA, The Hyderabad Race Club etc. But before that it is important to be a good rider.
Tips for Polo 1. Equipment and gear is very important as polo is a very fast and physical sport. The ideal age to start playing polo is 14 or 15 years. 2. To learn Polo one must be a proficient rider and physically fit. HPRC has members who have started learning polo after four months of riding. 3. A quick learner can learn polo and start at a handicap (rating) of -2 and go on to increase it by improving in the game. Eventually you can achieve a +2 or +3 in 3 to 4 years. However, this depends on the number of games and tournaments played by a person in the year. A handicap is based on a player’s horsemanship, team play, knowledge of the game, strategy and sportsmanship. 4. The highest handicap one can achieve in Polo is +10 (there are only 8 or 9 players in the world who have this handicap).The highest handicap held by an Indian player, Shamsher Ali is a +7.
NOVEMBER 2008 51
The expert, Chaitania Kumar
He is from Hyderabad, is a member of the Indian national Polo team and plays globally. Whenever he is in Hyderabad, he plays and takes classes for young Polo players at HPRC. 5. The routine for polo is to practice riding and play regularly. It is difficult to play polo without owning a horse but riding and polo clubs do provide horses to their members to play. 6. The polo season in Hyderabad starts in September for a month and then moves to places like Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kolkata and Mumbai. At HPRC, Chaitania tells us, the rates for riding and Polo lessons are kept very nominal
because the aim is to promote and make the sport accessible to all. There are special classes for school children who are even offered discounts. So gallop your way to a thrilling sport!
Hyderabad Polo & Riding Club
# 177, Aziz Nagar Village, Gandipet, Hyderabad – 501301. Tel – 099 4900 0085
Polo Players at HPRC
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Guide
schools
A Home within There was a time when those living in Hyderabad had to look north for a good residential school. MetroMela believes, and with good reason, that’s not the case anymore.
H
yderabad has grown and how! Looking for international cuisine restaurants? We have several. Maybe for golf clubs of international standards? That’s there too. What about good residential schools? Oh yes, a good number as well. Read on to know more.
Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. The 27-acre campus houses an admin block, various laboratories, two libraries (both are upgraded every two years), an
amphitheatre, two basketball and two tennis courts, a tracking-field for hockey, football and cricket and a large sports complex housing a swimming pool apart from an indoor stadium! Indus International School offers
Indus International School
Survey No. 425 & 425, Kondakal, Near Mokila, Shankerpally, Ranga Reddy District – 501203. Tel - 09701064111
This co-educational international school follows the International General
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Sprawling campus
52 NOVEMBER 2008
School
full time boarding, weekly boarding and day school for boys and girls. What’s more? There’s medical insurance for all students, an infirmary with a resident doctor and nurses, a resident counselor and a travel desk for traveling parents and students.
Parkwood School
Hyderabad-Vikarabad Road, Pudur Mandal, Ranga Reddy District – 501101. Tel - 08416-274400
Parkwood School is also a co-educational residential school but offers education from Class 3 upwards. It is affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and IGCSE. This one’s a 32-acre campus with
a central dining hall and an amphitheatre apart from a cricket field, a football field and hold your breath, seven tennis courts. Your child is bound to have fun here as they have activity based teaching method which encourages a child to learn through projects, experiments etc. Parkwood School provides full time residential facilities.
Sri International School 3-5-1016, Street No. 5, Narayanguda, Hyderabad – 500029. Tel - 040-23261111
Sri International School takes in children from nursery level through to the A levels
NOVEMBER 2008 53
Your child is bound to have fun here as they have activity-based teaching method which encourages a child to learn through projects, experiments etc. (Class 12). In lower, middle and secondary school they follow the UK National Curriculum. In senior school they follow IGCSE. The faculty regularly attends workshops and orientation programs as per the methodology and curriculum of the Cambridge University, UK. Some of their facilities include a library, science and computer labs, 51” plasma TVs in all
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Guide
schools
Residential facilities need not always be full-time, wherein the student gets to go home only during seasonal or annual breaks. Some schools even offer five-day boarding facilities, where your child can come home every weekend.
classrooms, swimming pool and more. Sri International provides full time residential facilities, which start from nursery right up to Class 12.
Sreenidhi
Aziz Nagar, Moinabad Mandal, Ranga Reddy District, Hyderabad – 500016. Tel – 040-64566562
The size gets better and better! Sreenidhi has a campus that’s spread over 62 acres and offers the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE), IB programs and the IGCSE program. It has a campus in Jubilee Hills, where classes are held from nursery up to class 2. The one at Aziz Nagar accommodates students from Class 3 to Class 10. One of the special facilities at this co-educational school is a separate center for learning Asian and European languages. A student can either be a day boarder, 5-day boarder or a 7day boarder. Even the day boarder here is provided everything from the morning milk to evening snacks. A 5-day boarder enjoys the benefit of going back home for the weekends. There are more. Log on to www.metromela.com and run through some of the best schools in Hyderabad.
With friends, during and beyond study hours
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54 NOVEMBER 2008
pause for a cause
Guide
blue cross
It’s a dog’s life,
we all say, especially when we are tired and down. But if you are with Blue Cross, a Hyderabadbased animal welfare association, you may think of rephrasing your thought.
F
Blue Cross for animal welfare EXPLORE YOUR METRO’S BEST MERCHANTS
ounded by film stars Nagarjuna and Amala Akkineni in 1992, Blue Cross of Hyderabad works towards making a safer world for animals. The shelter is spread across a two-acre plot in Jubilee Hills on a small hillock. Founder Amala, has not just lent her name to the project but believes in getting her hands dirty. The shelter has 780 resident animals, injured or just abandoned. We entered Blue Cross to see a calm, positive and happy place. At a modest office building, with the outpatient clinic and an open waiting area, you see adorable little puppies peering at you from behind a gate. As you walk in further you’re greeted by the sounds of barking and
56 NOVEMBER 2008
Animal Treatment Clinic
whimpering, letting you know they are all in there; cows, buffaloes, donkeys and horses too, apart from dogs. Blue Cross’ services include Animal Rescue operations. Disabled animals are rescued, treated and kept, and cruelty issues are fought against. They have three doctors that include one for treatment, a surgeon and a part time skin specialist. There is a welltrained and hands-on staff plus three ambulances that are used for rescue operations and a cattle van with a hydraulic lift. Street dogs are operated and vaccinated for both Birth and Rabies control. These dogs are found either through information given by the public or the Municipality; they are neutered and left back in their territories. People living in the area are requested to feed and care for the dog. These dogs are recognizable through a nick in the ear and are vaccinated annually to prevent diseases. All the canines are fed vegetarian food that includes
soya chunks and moong dal, besides other healthy, nutritious and protein filled food. Breed Dogs are fed Pedigree. There is a quarantine room as well to prevent the spreading of
diseases. Puppies and kittens as well as adult cats and dogs are all up for adoption. Their Clinic is open for all pet animals from 10 AM to 1 PM and remains closed on Mondays. They even have
a Mobile Equine program in association with The Brooke Hospital for Animals, UK to provide veterinary care to equines working in brick kilns. Blue Cross also conducts educational programs across schools. Environmental issues are yet another subject that Blue Cross is keenly involved in. Amala is an avid environmentalist and has attended a workshop organized by The Climate Project, India and conducted by Nobel Laureate winner Al Gore (former Vice President, USA) an ardent environmentalist himself. Blue Cross encourages organic farming and deals in Vermiculture (cultivation of earthworms for the use of farming through vermicompost) and Panchakavya (a mix of gobar or cow-dung, ghee, milk, curd and cow urine) an organic fertilizer. One liter of Panchakavya dilutes to 10 liters of fertilizer. If you wish to help Blue Cross, you can volunteer physical help or donate money, old cotton clothes or even something as simple as newspapers. You can reach Blue Cross at -
Blue Cross of Hyderabad
403/9, Road No. 35 Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500033. Tel - 040-32989858, 23544355, 23545523 E-mail:bluecrosshyd@gmail.com
Being treated and cared for
NOVEMBER 2008 57
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metro’s best
listings sh o pp i n g Men’s Clothing The Loot
No. 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 42000121 Landmark: At Ashoka Metropolitan
# 6-3-1111, Shop No. 111, 1st Floor, Babukhan Mall, Somajiguda, Hyderabad 500082. Tel: 66774849 It has trendy Indian and western wear for men and women. Shoes and accessories are also available. Landmark: Opp Kalanikethan
Catmoss Shop No. 8-2-248/B-3/4, Road No. 3, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 64579286 Landmark: At Nagarjuna Circle
Kapaas
Grafs Lifestyle
# 1-43/B, Main Road, Madhapur, Hyderabad - 530081 Tel: 66848882 Landmark: Near ING Vysya Bank
Tommy Hilfiger
Road No. 2, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 65533535 Landmark: Opp LV Prasad Eye Institute
Mebaz Corporate
Road No. 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 66635563 Landmark: Opp Vengala Rao Park
The Raymond Shop
# 6-3-456/A1, Model House, Punjagutta, Hyderabad - 500482 Tel: 23353468 Landmark: At Model House
kids’ shopping
# 2-21/A & # 2-22, Plot No. 2/3, NH-09, Chandanagar, Hyderabad - 500050 Tel: 23030190 Landmark: Opp Vijetha Supermarket
Toys & Kids Planet
# 2-52/2, New Balajee’s Enterprise, Madhapur, Hyderabad - 500081 Tel: 27766531 Landmark: Opp ICICI ATM
Big Bansal
Basheerbagh, Hyderabad - 500004 Tel: 23224114 Landmark: Near Hyderabad Nursing Home
Bossini
home Décor Urvi
# 6-3-456/A/1, Model House, 1st Floor, Punjagutta, Hyderabad - 500082 Tel: 23352661 Landmark: Opp NIMS
G Light
# 136, RP Road, Hyderabad - 500003 Tel: 64541205 Landmark: Near Bible House
Best Buy Exclusive
# 8-2-684/3/162, Road No. 12, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 23392257 Landmark: Adj. to Kanaka Durga Temple
Home Town
Punjagutta, Hyderabad - 500082 Tel: 66413300 Landmark: Next to Hyderabad Central
Vijay Textiles
# 6-3-852/2/3, Ameerpet, Hyderabad - 500016 Tel: 23414172 Landmark: Opp Vijaya Diagnostic
Electronics & Appliances
woMen’s Clothing
G.V.V.R. Plaza, Begumpet, Hyderabad - 500016 Tel: 27764751 Landmark: Opp Reebok Showroom
Westside
Kinder Spaces
Bajaj Electronics Shop No. 6-3-669, Punjagutta, Hyderabad - 500082 Tel: 23400391 Landmark: Next to Hyderabad Central
furniture
Bose Shop No. 2 & 3, V.V’s Vintage Boulevard, Raj Bhavan Road, Somajiguda, Hyderabad - 500082 Tel: 23323097 Landmark: Near Spencer Super Market
# 5-8-62, Khan Lateef Khan Estate, Fateh Maidan Road, Nampally, Hyderabad 500001 Tel: 66666001 Landmark: Opp LB Stadium
Yosa
Flat No. 205, Banjara Bhavan, Road No. 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 9989899881
Also
Road No. 8, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 23351608 Landmark: Opp Saptaparni
Harra
Shop No. 7, 1st Floor, Ashoka Metropolitan, Road No. 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 69994539 Landmark: At Ashoka Metropolitan
Anonym
# 107A & B, 1st Floor, Babu Khan Mall, Somajiguda, Hyderabad - 500008 Tel: 23411176 Landmark: Opp Kalanikethan
@home
# 6-3-249/6/1, Road No. 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 23316015 Landmark: Opp City Center
Tresor
Plot No. 6 & 7, Miyapur Junction, Miyapur, Hyderabad - 500073 Tel: 32426002
Studio Comfort
D. No. 8-2-293 / 82 / J3 / 564, Road No. 12, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 9949488055 Landmark: Opp KBR Park
1st Floor, Film Nagar, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad - 500033 Tel: 23552386 Landmark: Above Little Italy Restaurant
Hastens
Bouquet
S. B. Sofa Makers & Door Curtains
# 206 & 207, Ashoka Metropolitan, Road
Plot No. 1261, Road No. 36, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad - 500033 Tel: 23545940 # 8-2-603/B/34/56, Road No. 10, Zaheer Nagar, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 9391362537
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Digital Shoppy
# 8-3-1085/D, Raj Bhavan Road, Somajiguda, Hyderabad - 500082 Tel: 66619292 Landmark: Near HP Service Centre
Next
# 1-10-9/2, Begumpet, Hyderabad 500016 Tel: 9848852209 Landmark: Opp Indian Airlines Cargo Office
PCH e Zone # 6-3-648, Somajiguda, Hyderabad 500082 Tel: 23374045 Landmark: Beside RTO Office
Malls & Super Markets Q-mart
Road No. 2, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 30222211 Landmark: Opp TV 9 Office
58 NOVEMBER 2008
sh o pp i n g Spencer’s Giant
Plot No. 222, Bakaram Road, Musheerabad, Hyderabad - 500020 Tel: 27632694 Landmark: Opp Usha Mayuri Theatre
Hyderabad Central
Punjagutta, Hyderabad - 500073 Tel: 66430000 Landmark: At Punjagutta Crossroads
Lifestyle
# 6-3-1192, My Home Tycoon, Kundan Bagh, Begumpet, Hyderabad - 500016 Tel: 23410013 Landmark: Beside White House Building
Shoppers’ Stop
Jaya Towers, Street No. 3, Begumpet, Hyderabad - 500016 Tel: 27761080
Books & Stationery Books & Beyond
Shop No. 4 & 5, 1st Floor, Road No. 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 66108098 Landmark: At Ashoka Metropolitan
Deccan Pen Stores
RP Road, Hyderabad - 500003 Tel: 27813020 Landmark: Near Shah’s Electronics
Himalaya Book World
# 6-3-354/1, Punjagutta, Hyderabad 500004 Tel: 23355968, Fax: 24617632 Landmark: Next to Petrol Pump
Crossword
Ground level, Street No. 3, Begumpet, Hyderabad - 500016 Tel: 27761080 Landmark: At Shoppers’ Stop
Walden
Road No. 2, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 23551613 Landmark: Beside LV Prasad Eye Institute
Flowers & Gifts Lladro
# 6-3-680/83, Punjagutta, Hyderabad - 500082 Tel: 23400270 Landmark: Next to TBZ
Ferns ‘N’ Petals
# 117, Road No. 2, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 23540123 Landmark: Near Old ‘Q’ Mart
Lepakshi
Gunfoundry, Abids, Hyderabad - 500001 Tel: 23235028
Su:riti
Road No. 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad
NOVEMBER 2008 59
fo o d
- 500034 Tel: 66757575 Landmark: Near Nagarjuna Circle
Hyderabad - 500003 Tel: 66322191 Landmark: Opp Chermas
Pubs & Clubs
Abhisiri Corporate
H. NO. 1-2-8/6, Domalguda, Hyderabad500029. Tel: 23225182, 9246288494 Deals in corporate gifts, hotel supplies like glassware and tea / coffee vending machines. Landmark: Lane behind Sadhuram Eye Hospital
Sheela’s Arts & Crafts
Shop No. 17, Lal Bahadur Stadium Complex, Basheerbagh, Hyderabad 500001 Tel: 23236944
The Bar
Izzatnagar, Kondapur, Hyderabad - 500081 Tel: 66824422 Landmark: Near Hitec City
Xtreme Sports Bar
Ground Floor, Alcazar Plaza, Road No. 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 64586166 Landmark: Opp City Center
Scarlet
Plot No. 8-2-293/82/A/71, Road No. 9, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 23425063 Landmark: Opp Chiranjeevi Blood Bank
Zouk
accessories dcube
Plot No. 560 A, Phase-3, 1st Floor, Road No. 92, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad - 500033 Tel: 23543323 Landmark: Near Lanco Office
Hidesign Shop No. 1, Amrutha Mall, Somajiguda, Hyderabad - 500082 Tel: 23400148
4th Floor, Ashoka Metropolitan Mall, Road No. 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 9908866881 Landmark: At Ashoka Metropolitan Mall
F Bar
4th Floor, Lumbini Jewel Mall, Road No. 2, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 23541777 Landmark: At Lumbini Mall
Samsonite Shop No. 1-7-283/12/1, Paradise Circle, SD Road, Hyderabad - 500003 Tel: 66485712 Landmark: Opp Chandralok Complex
Restaurants
Jewellery & Watches
The Spicy Venue
Khazana Jewellery
# 6-3-885/7, Sapphire Square, Rajbhavan Road, Somajiguda, Hyderabad - 500082 Tel: 66639900, Fax: 66109977 Landmark: At Somajiguda Circle
Kirtilals # 6-3-1111/1, Somajiguda Circle, Begumpet, Hyderabad - 500016 Tel: 66621211, Fax: 66621511 Landmark: Beside Amrutha Mall
Izzatnagar, Kondapur, Hyderabad - 500081 Tel: 66824422 Landmark: Near Hitec City # 265/S, Road No. 10, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad - 500033 Tel: 65595522
Santosh Jubilee
# 8-2-298/82/A/229-A, Road No. 36, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad - 500033 Tel: 66668827 Landmark: Near Jubliee Checkpost Signal
Spice Junxion
Taj Deccan, Road No. 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 66663939 Landmark: At Taj Deccan
Rado
# 8-2-1120/841/A, Road No. 2, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 64585008 Landmark: Opp Lumbini Mall
F1 Time Machine
La Cantina
6 Pack Cuisine
Gachibowli, Hyderabad - 500032 Tel: 23465323 Landmark: Next to Gachibowli Junction
Road No. 12, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 23376296 Landmark: Beside Magna Super Market
Kamal Watch World Shop No. 1, K. Bhavan, MG Road,
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metro’s best
listings f ood Sweet Shops & Fast Food Cafe Earth
Road No. 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 66820422 Landmark: Above Planet M
KFC
Raj Bhavan Road, Somajiguda, Hyderabad - 500082 Tel: 40124455 Landmark: Opp Ramkays House
McDonald’s
Prasads, Necklace Road, Hyderabad - 500063 Tel: 32002620 Landmark: Near NTR Gardens
Subway
Road No.1/68, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 65525050 Landmark: Near IOC Petrol Pump
Karachi Bakery
Nizam Shahi Road, Abids, Hyderabad - 500001 Tel: 24732786 Landmark: Mozzamjahi Market Crossroads
City Attractions Yogi Bear
Necklace Road, Hyderabad - 500003 Tel: 32440932 Landmark: Beside Sanjeevaiah Park
Dhola-ri-Dhani
Medchal Road, Kompally, Hyderabad Tel: 08418-232086 Landmark: Secunderabad-Medchal Highway
Lahari Resorts
Bhanoor, Patancheru, Hyderabad - 502305 Tel: 23492349
Ramoji Film City
Ramoji Film City, Ranga Reddy District, Hyderabad - 501512 Tel: 8415-246555, Fax: 8415-246451
ent e r tai n m e n t Fribzi Om Plaza, Sindhi Colony, PG Road, Secunderabad - 500003 Tel: 66336479 Landmark: Near Subhiksha
Shahnaz Hussain Spa
Devi
Fitness One
RTC Crossroads, Chikkadpally, Hyderabad - 500020 Tel: 27637811
Planet M
Plot No. l -90/2/C/I, Vinayaka Nagar, Madhapur, Hyderabad - 500033 Tel: 66820405 Landmark: Hitech City Road
Prasads
Necklace Road, Hyderabad - 500063 Tel: 23448989 Landmark: Near NTR Gardens
Doctors & Hospitals Apollo Hospital
Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad - 500033 Tel: 23607777 Landmark: At Film Nagar
Care Hospital
Road No. 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 66668888 Landmark: Beside Bhaskar Plaza
Fernandez Hospital
# 4-1-1230, Putlibowli, Abids, Hyderabad - 500001 Tel: 24756997 Landmark: Opp Majestic Apartments
Yashoda Hospitals
Alexander Road, Patny Center, Hyderabad - 500003 Tel: 27713333 Landmark: Lane Opp SBI
Elbit
Music & Movies Jalavihar
# 406, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 66107474 Landmark: At Nagarjuna Circle
Hotel Novotel, Izzatnagar, Kondapur, Hyderabad - 500081 Tel: 66824422 Landmark: At Novotel Park View, Plot No. 5, Whitefield, Kondapur, Hyderabad - 500084 Tel: 69991331 Landmark: Opp Botanical Garden
Alternative Medicine Addlife
1st Avenue,Road No. 14, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 23541007 Landmark: Near Indo American Cancer Hospital
Arya Vaidya Sala # 1-1-39, Seven Hills, SD Road, Hyderabad - 500003 Tel: 27722226 Landmark: Lane Opp Manju Cinema Positive Homeopathy Flat No. 103, SRK Apartments, Yousufguda, Hyderabad - 500073 Tel: 65970999 Landmark: Near Saradhi Studio Dhanwanthari Vaidyasala
# 500 1-10-98/32, Chikoti Gardens, Begumpet, Hyderabad - 500016 Tel: 27769628 Landmark: Lane Besides Pantaloon
Charaka
# 1-8-49/1, PG Road, Secunderabad - 530003 Tel: 27896644
Yoga & Meditation Bharat Thakur’s Artistic Yoga
# 8-2-703, AG Heights, Road No. 12, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 23372731
F 1, Green View Plaza, Road No. 1, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad - 500033 Tel: 32460888 Landmark: Above Subway
Gyms, Spas & Salons
# 506, Mahavir House, Basheerbagh, Hyderabad - 500029 Tel: 66629311 Landmark: Near Police Commissioner Office
Ocean Park
Gandipet, CBIT Road, Ranga Reddy District, Hyderabad - 500171 Tel: 23223824 Landmark: Near CBIT College
h e a lt h
Evlas
1st Floor, Spencer’s Supermarket building, Laxmi Nagar (Picket), Secunderabad – 500009. Tel: 27808740, 23463252 Offers beauty services like hair coloring, facials, pedicure, manicure, hair fall treatments and massages.
Lakme # 6-3-1191/7, Ground Floor, Suraj Arcade, Begumpet, Hyderabad - 500016 Tel: 64569630 Landmark: Next to Mebaz
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Osho Melvana
Gandhi Gyan Mandir Yoga Street, Tilak Park, Sultan Bazaar, Koti, Hyderabad - 500001 Tel: 66735331 Landmark: Near Andhra Bank Art of Living
# 6-3-883/3, 5th Floor, RK Plaza, Punjagutta, Hyderabad - 500082 Tel: 23400782 Landmark: Next to Tanishq
Sharmila’s Yoga Zone
# 72, Road No. 10, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 23316562 Landmark: Lane Behind Ofen Bakery
60 NOVEMBER 2008
metro’s best
listings h ealth
e d u cat i o n Cubs
Kids’ Health Lotus Children’s Hospital # 6-2-29, Lakdi-Ka-Pul, Hyderabad 500004 Tel: 40404444 Landmark: Next to Mahavir Motors Rainbow Children’s Hospital
# 136/17,Venkat Rao Nagar Colony, PG Road, Secunderabad - 500003 Tel: 32427211
schools
Tel: 9701064111 The co-educational international (IGCSE and IB programs) school offers education from Grade 1 to 12. Landmark: Near Mokila
Esperanza
# 5-9-24/81, Lake Hill Road, Basheerbagh, Hyderabad - 500063 Tel: 23223792 Landmark: Behind Mangatrai Pearls
H.No. 8-2-603/23/30, Road No. 10, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 64555353 Landmark: Opp IAS Officer’s Quarters
kids’ Extracurricular
Training Institutions
Hope Children’s Hospital
Dolce Music Institute DM Estate, 2nd Floor, Street No. 8, Himayatnagar, Hyderabad - 500029 Tel: 65504606 Landmark: Beside Horward Public School
Sui Generis # 14-15, Ground Floor,SP Road, YMCA Complex, Secunderabad - 500003 Landmark: Near UCO Bank
Saptaparni
Plot No. 57, 1st Floor, Willington Road, Lakshmi Nagar, Picket, Hyderabad 500003 Tel: 40150430
Plot No. 21, Road No. 8, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 66667707 Landmark: Beside Kalpa School
Steps - Studio for Danz
# 8-2-675/1/B, Plot No. 16, Road No. 3, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 66681230 Landmark: Opp Taj Banjara
Orange
# 310, 3rd Floor, Babukhan Mall, Somajiguda, Hyderabad - 500082 Tel: 9246546079 Landmark: Opp Kalanikethan
Siri MLA Colony, Road No. 12, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 9949887211 Landmark: Near Lotus Pond Kaushalya Global
# 3-43-20, Radhakrishna Nagar, AOC Gate, West Marredpally, Hyderabad - 500026 Tel: 32443175 Landmark: Near Friends Corner
Katriya De Royal
Balayogi Paryatak Bhavan, Begumpet, Hyderabad - 500016., Tel: 23404125 Landmark: Beside CM’s House
Survey No. 425 & 425,Kondakal, Shankerpally, Ranga Reddy Dist - 501203
Innova
Krishna Hospital Niloufer Road, Lakdi-ka-Pul, Hyderabad - 500004 Tel: 66838383 Landmark: Opp Hanuman Temple
Landmark: Opp. Madhapur Petrol Pump
Indus International School
# 22, Road No. 4, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 23319061 Landmark: Lane Beside City Center # 12-5-30, White House, Tarnaka, Secunderabad - 500017 Tel: 27007272 Landmark: Opp St. Ann’s School
se r v i c es
Royal
Pest Control Specialists in Anti Lizards, Cockroach, Termite, Rodent & General Pest Control. We also deal in Netlon mesh and water proofing.
# 8-1-523/161, Brindavan Colony, Tolichowki, Hyderabad - 500008 Tel: 64566174
Lengua
Goethe-Zentrum
# 203, 2nd Floor, Hermitage Office Complex, Hill Fort Road, Nampally, Hyderabad - 500063 Tel: 65526443 Landmark: Opp Kalanjali
Hotels & Serviced Apartments Mandava Suites
Plot Nos. 27 & 28, Arunodaya Colony, Madhapur, Hyderabad 500033 Tel: 23114477 The apartment hotel has 20 air-conditioned suites (double and single) with facilities for food, gym, laundry etc.
Taj Banjara
Road No. 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Tel: 66669999
Reliance Suites,
Lane adjacent to Big C, Madhapur, Hyderabad – 500081. Tel: 64501144
EXPLORE YOUR METRO’S BEST MERCHANTS
tours &Travels Limra Travels
# 12-2-725/32/4/D, P & T Colony, Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad - 500028 Tel: 23516597 Landmark: Opp Milan Garden Function Hall
Kiran Cabs
# 104, 1st Floor, Hanumanth Reddy Complex, Cross Road, Tadbund, Hyderabad - 500009 Tel: 30525890 Landmark: Above Golden Point Hotel
Bright Travels
# 8-1-299/B/30&36, Shaikpet, Hyderabad - 500008 Tel: 20030364 Landmark: Opp Int’ll Junior College
MM Travels
# 6-3-904/12/A,Jafar Ali Bagh, Somajiguda, Hyderabad - 500082 Tel: 66787726 Landmark: Behind Saboo Motors
62 NOVEMBER 2008