It feels surreal. My first trip during Covid is the first time I leave the city since the lockdown was first announced almost one-and-a-half years ago. To finally be able to leave home, hop into public transportation, and travel to…

It feels surreal. My first trip during Covid is the first time I leave the city since the lockdown was first announced almost one-and-a-half years ago. To finally be able to leave home, hop into public transportation, and travel to…
This hole-in-the-wall steakhouse is quite popular in Hyderabad, specially among body builders who frequent this place to get loaded with protein. Inspired by Chef James White of New England, Chef Inam has been cooking at his restaurant in the United…
So what if he misspelled it? The business idea isn’t really bad. As a matter of fact, I think it’s brilliant! Meet Ravi, the proud owner of…well, I just noticed that he doesn’t really have a proper name for his business. Nevertheless,…
“Their biryani was really good, right?” This wasn’t a simple question; this was Masood’s way of saying he wanted to have biryani for lunch. Again. We were in Hyderabad for a couple of weeks to work on some personal tasks…
Among the countless restaurants in Hyderabad that serve really good biryani, Paradise Hotel could easily make it to the top 10 list. We had lunch there yesterday—my first at this restaurant—and I was truly impressed. Though located very close to…
Although traditionally a Bengali sweet, cham cham is quite popular in Pakistan as well. They mostly come in oblong shapes, white in color, and soaked in a thick sugary syrup. In Hyderabad, India, I notice they decorate their cham chams…
“What’s jamun in English?” I was once asked. I didn’t know the answer then, and I still do not know the answer now, except that perhaps one can classify them as berries? My earliest memory of jamun is an image…
It’s been a month now since the wedding, and the bride is ready to take responsibilities, aka household chores. As tradition strictly dictates, she must prepare something sweet first, to herald her lifelong commitment to cooking, laundry, and doing…
The thing about Indian food is that you’ll most likely find yourself craving for dessert afterwards. Maybe it’s the oil. Or the thousand and one spices. Or the rich onion and tomato gravy. Whatever it is, it’s hard not…
Bursts of vibrant colors everywhere, the sound of glass bangles clinking away, display of gold ornaments, a dash of family drama and gossips, overflow of sweets and desserts, fresh roses and jasmines, heavy sarees, and yes, the shopping that…
Standing tall in the heart of Hyderabad, the administrative capital of the state, this magnificent building was constructed in 1919. Between us and this building lay the river Musi, formerly known as Muchukunda river. Well, I’m glad they updated the…
“We’re going by bus,” Masood announced at the railway station in Hyderabad. We booked our train tickets twenty days ago and yet we were still on waiting list. Since flights are expensive, our only other option is to travel to…
“Oh God, bestow unto this city peace and prosperity. Let millions of men of all castes, creeds and religions make it their abode, like fishes in the water.” ~ Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, while laying the foundation of Charminar in…
Hyderabad, India. More beautiful pictures of the palace here. Take a virtual tour of fabulous places from around the world by clicking on the image below: