Shadab

Talking about food is easy - sitting around with friends having a steaming cup of chai discussing succulence of meat in murgh dum biryani or the flakiness of the crust of the samosas served. Writing about it especially when it is on virtual front where there is a chance that people are going to read it - well that is a whole different kettle of fish. But I am going to give it a try.

Shadab is an institution in Hyderabad. Situated in the midst of the Old city, near the monument of Charminar it is the epitome of Hyderabadi nizam cuisine. Decadent, generous and appetizingly aromatic - those are the words that come to mind when I think of the food served. The service has echoes of the old world charm and anytime you go it is absolutely packed to the brim.
The decor leaves much to be said - the maroon golden drapes and brown tablecloth does not speak of elegance but on a hot day it is refreshingly cool inside with all those thick drapes. There is also the very cheesy gold lined grandfather's clock at the landing of the stairs you take to go into the restaurant.The smell of fried onions wafts around the room deceptive in its power to tease the senses.
The starters has to be kebabs - you don't really think of anything else. The waiter flits around listing the 'good' food that you can order. Then the orders come flying out - tandoori kebab, kalmi kebab, reshmi kebab and apparently pahadi kebab. The wait is a little long but it is worth it.

The tandoori kebab is the best of the lot. Beautifully red and charred served on a bed of coleslaw and mint chutney the meat is tender and nicely roasted. The spice hints at the back of your mouth. Pahadi kebab would be my personal choice. Marinated and basted in green chutney this dish has become my new favorite to eat. The crowd is noisy - among talking aunties and uncles there are bawls and wails of kids dictated to sit still - however the minute you start eating you forget the noise. Cliche but I am not exaggerating.

Biryani followed these succulent appetizers. Since we were there and pretty hungry we splurged on the three varieties offered - chicken, mutton and prawn. I am a very fussy eater and [please don't kill me] do not like seafood or fish. But I have it on very good authority that the prawn biryani is very delicious - in fact for my fish loving friends that was the dish of the day. Biryani can become very dry or oily very easily. It has to be just right for one to enjoy it properly. Like in Paradise[another institution on Hyderabadi cuisine] the biryani edges on dry or for that matter Superstar which veers into inconsistency of too spicy or not at all. The one served here gets it just right.

The meat marinated is juicy and moist, the rice is coated with spice. This is served with mirch ka salan and raita though honestly in my opinion you do not need it. The quantities are very generous - there is plenty to go around - in fact a little too much.

You would think that after consuming such huge massive proportions that there would be no room for dessert but the falooda and qurbani ka meetha here is famous all over India - with good reason. The qurbani was a little too sweet for my taste. However the falooda made with passion fruit - you cant just stop drinking it even after you are full to the brim.
If you want authentic hyderabadi dum biryani try this place out. The place is always packed so go early around twelve to get good booths and take the opinion of your server seriously. He wasn't wrong on any choice of food we made. Go on an empty stomach though. You cannot enjoy the food otherwise.

Things to try: Murgh dum biryani, Prawn biryani, pahadi kebab, falooda
Address: 21, High Court Road, Charminar
Rating: 3.5/5