WOW! checks out Shatabdi Kitchen & Grill; and their ode to the Hyderabadi biryani
Authentic Indian flavors sans the new age fusion is what Shatabdi Kitchen & Grill set out to do when it launched a few months ago. Timeless traditional cuisine is what they want to offer and hence the name Shatabdi, which means century, a throwback to the rich history of Indian food. The two-level restaurant, which is at a stone’s throw from a busy junction on the arterial Road No.36, takes pride in its rooftop space that overlooks the city lights of Jubilee Hills. With wall-to-wall windows and some indoor plants, the restaurant is redolent of Indian spices and Telugu masalas. They also serve drinks and the rooftop is often occupied by those who love the outdoorsy vibe. On public demand, they also have a live music night on Saturdays with Hyderabad artist Harsha Gannoji who is known for his rendition of popular Telugu movie numbers.
Partners Rahul, Shiva, Harshit and Sheshanth – who like to be known by their first names only – have been friends since childhood. Rahul and Shiva started a restaurant in Canada, and later partnered with Harshit and Sheshanth to open Shatabdi this year. The restaurant serves North Indian, South Indian, Mughlai, biryani, desserts and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
They have nine varieties of chicken starters alone ranging from Karivepaku Kodi to Kshatriya Chicken Kebab. The spice quotient is the same, but the flavors change according to the name. We started with their famed Karimnagar Wings, a spicy starter that goes well with their signature cocktail Kevv Keka. Guests on every table ordered the same as it is their speciality. Kevv Keka made with vodka, avocado and honey is one of their most-ordered cocktails. With the right kick, this one may not make a pretty picture with its muted color, but packs a punch when it comes to giving you the kick.
“We conducted research with our customers in September and realized that they all love and are obsessed with biryani and hence we started ‘The Flavor Express’ on 1st October, a tribute to the various biryanis we have. So, while all our main course including thali meals are what people love (North Indian and Mughlai), we rolled out the biryani fest with over eight kinds of biryanis that are not served otherwise,” say the partners.
We tried the Triveni Biryani which as the name suggests has three components – chicken, mutton and prawns. Marinated in flavorful spices and cooked on dum, this one won our hearts with the right chilli quotient. Prawns are not something many eat in biryani but the novelty seemed to have done the trick. Try out others such as Pachimirchi Kodi Biryani and Kheema Kaju variants as well. We ended the meal with hot gulab jamun alongside rich vanilla ice cream and it was a perfect foil for the spicy biryanis.
Wow! pick: Triveni Biryani
Meal for two: Rs 1,200
Biryanis at Rs 799 onwards for a family meal
Address: 4th & 5th Floor, MR Plaza, Road No. 36, Sri Rama Colony, Jubilee Hills,
Tel: 9505344544Timings: 11 am to 11 pm
