Instagram story viewer> @hydfoodguy> Posts

Hydfoodguy - Pallab De

@hydfoodguy

41.7K

followers

3059

following

IFBA Award winner. Ex #EazyDiner City Critic and Burrp Jury Member. #Food and #Travel #Blogger based out of #Hyderabad.

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

The Bobbatlu Croissant has been trending on the gram—and rightfully so! But if that's all you try at Coffee Sangam, you’d be missing out.

This new café, helmed by Chef Vignesh Ramachandran—one of India’s finest culinary minds—is an ode to us #millennials. A small menu with a big heart, it delivers flavors that surprise and delight. Expect the best benne dosa in town (with an unexpected garlic and chili kick), the fluffiest idli with podi featuring a pistachio twist, and a perfectly executed desi-style cheese omelette paired with sourdough toast. And there's so much more.

My top 5 picks from the menu are:
5. Bobbatlu Croissant
4. Pistachio Podi Idli
3. Cheese Omelette
2. Mutton Samosa
1. Chilli Garlic Venna Dosa

#telugufood #telugucafe #hyderabad taken in Theta Theta Theta. by @hydfoodguy

3

31

a year ago

A throwback #reel from my stay at @tajmadikeriresort at #coorg. It offers a unique blend of luxury and adventure amidst the scenic lush, green hills and rain forests. And oh, an amazing, temperature controlled, infinity pool! taken in Taj Madikeri by @hydfoodguy

130

10

3 years ago

Transportation: Book bus from Shinjuku via highway-buses.jp. Book the first bus available, to beat the crowd.

1. Disembark near Shimoyoshida Station.

2. Walk up to Chureito Pagoda

3. Book cab to reach Oishi Park

4. Lunch at Hoto Fudou

5. Walk across Kawaguchiko Bridge

6. Catch Red/Green/Blue line bus back to Kawaguchiko Station. If you've time, check out Ide Sake Brewery.

[Note: Check weather forecast on any weather app. Preview visibility via Mt Fuji Live Cam: fujigoko.tv/english] taken in Kawaguchiko by @hydfoodguy

242

2

3 years ago

Gusto d’Italia at Mazzo brings Chef Alessio from Casa Limone in Goa to Hyderabad from 5th to 11th Oct, with his take on Italian food forming part of the dinner buffet experience.

I particularly enjoyed the red pesto with focaccia. It had plenty of depth and was easily one of my favourites from the evening. The Margherita was another highlight. The base was beautifully hydrated, with that spotted, crunchy crust while still retaining a lovely chew. It was a very good pizza base.

The chicken surprised me. I’m not usually a big fan of chicken, but this was juicy, topped with a savoury cheesy crust, and turned out to be one of the standouts of the evening.

For an Italian spread, I would have liked to see a little more variety in the proteins, particularly red meat and pork. I’m told these will feature in the full offering, even though they weren’t part of the preview we tried. There was already plenty to enjoy among the entrées, particularly the fried calamari and prawns.

The risotto lacked some of the depth I was hoping for. A little more mushroom, perhaps a splash of wine and some freshly shaved Parmesan would have helped it shine. And the tiramisu would benefit in a tweak in the cream to savoiardi ratio.

However, those are minor nitpicks on an otherwise strong offering. Add the rooftop setting, pool, fairy lights and a pleasant evening breeze, and it makes for a rather nice Italian dinner. taken in Marriott Mazzo by @hydfoodguy

3

1

6 days ago

I have a weakness for splurging on hotels, but when I know I’ll only be using one to sleep, I try to be sensible about it. The idea is to find a property that gets the balance right, and WelcomHeritage Traditional Haveli in Jaipur was a rather good find.

Built in the late 1940s as a private residence, the haveli has plenty of character. The lobby is gorgeous, and the traditional architecture gives the place a distinct personality. The rooms are clean, spacious and comfortable, ticking all the essential boxes. Service, too, was genuinely impressive, better than what I’ve experienced at some five-star properties.

Then there’s the list of amenities, which is quite something for a hotel in this category. Evening folk music and puppet shows, a pub with live music on weekends, a rooftop bar and sheesha lounge, a spa and a swimming pool. The location, close to the railway station and the markets, is another bonus.

Not everything is quite as impressive. The pool is small and could do with better maintenance, and the cocktails were underwhelming, even though the food was good.

But these are fairly minor gripes in an otherwise well-rounded stay. Traditional Haveli has character, comfort, great service and plenty to offer, without demanding a five-star price tag. For what I paid, it was an absolute steal. taken in Welcome Heritage Traditional Haveli by @hydfoodguy

3

0

24 days ago

Patrika Gate is one of those places that looks much older than it actually is. Built in 2016 by the Patrika Group, it was conceived as a contemporary tribute to Rajasthan’s art, architecture and cultural traditions, with its painted arches and panels bringing together scenes from across the state. It was formally inaugurated in 2020.

Today, it is probably best known as one of Jaipur’s great Instagram spots — and, yes, we were there doing exactly that.

But walk through the gate and spend a little time in Jawahar Circle, and there’s another side to it. Kids skating, families walking, people exercising, vendors setting up, locals using the park simply because it is there. The gate may draw the photographs, but the space behind it is doing something much more useful: functioning as a genuine public space.

It made me think of Hyderabad, and how much we could use more places like this — beautiful public spaces that people don’t have to visit for an occasion. Places where you can simply turn up, walk around, let the kids skate, meet people and spend an evening. taken in The Patrika Gate by @hydfoodguy

3

4

a month ago

From the house of Antera comes Rahasyam, a cocktail bar that taps into everything that made Antera such a raging hit across the city. Robust, unapologetically Telugu flavours are reimagined into an exceptional bar programme.

Mango Pulp, Junnu and Rose Milk Wash come together in a dessert cocktail that is both unusual and delicious. For something stronger, there’s the piquant Rasam Rahasyam, while the Agent Ariselu brings bourbon whiskey, cardamom and jaggery together in a rather intriguing cocktail.

The food menu features Antera Specials alongside a selection of bar bites. The Hyderabadi Khichdi Kheema Khatta is a rare sight on restaurant menus, and this version is exactly the kind of comforting food you crave after an evening of drinking

Rahasyam takes the flavours of Antera and gives them an entirely different playground. taken in Gachibowli, Hyderabad by @hydfoodguy

117

0

a month ago

Meghalaya is making its way to Hyderabad, and this is a fascinating glimpse into the food traditions of the state.

I recently experienced “Meghalaya Unveiled – Heritage on a Buffet” at Feast, @sheratonhyderabad , a special edition of Soul on a Plate curated by @masterchefnambiemarak. The menu brings together earthy flavours and wonderfully comforting preparations rooted in Meghalaya’s culinary traditions.
The Pumpkin & Fish Curry was one of my favourites. There was a lovely simplicity to it, but plenty of depth in the flavours. The Chicken Kapa was another deceptively simple-looking preparation, with the chicken cooked using alkaline potash traditionally made from ash, giving the dish its distinctive character. The Chicken Jadoh was another highlight — hearty, aromatic and deeply satisfying.

If I had one reservation, it would be the rather chicken-heavy non-vegetarian selection. Meghalaya has such a strong pork tradition, and I would have loved to see a few pork preparations on the buffet. It feels like a missed opportunity when showcasing such a distinctive cuisine.

And then there’s Chef Nambie herself. A first runner-up on MasterChef India Season 8, she has done a remarkable job of bringing the food and culinary traditions of Meghalaya to a much wider audience. She is now set to represent India on MasterChef Asia, which makes this showcase all the more interesting.
Meghalaya Unveiled – Heritage on a Buffet runs at Feast, Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel, from 9–13 September 2026, for lunch and dinner. taken in Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel by @hydfoodguy

76

0

a month ago

Cavatina, ranked #22 among India’s Top 50 Restaurants by Condé Nast Traveller in 2025, has entered Hyderabad — and how!

The Hyderabad outpost is set amidst Boulder Hills Golf Course, with a beautiful space that you reach by buggy. The food stays rooted in Goan flavours, but adds playful modern and global touches. The small plates are what really impressed me, and they’re the perfect foil for the wine and cocktails.

The Cancona Chilli Pil Pil was a standout, with a fabulous Tiger Prawn from the Arabian Sea. I also loved the sauces with the Koyloleo and Roasted Sweet Potato — both had incredible depth and made the dishes that much more memorable. The Chorizo brought a rich, smoky flavour, while the St. Anthony Bakery Puff was wonderfully comforting.

The Nomads of the Mountains — Lamb Chops felt as though they had been cooked in a rush, while the Serradura in Hyderabad was a little too sweet for my liking. But this was only a preview, and there’s plenty more I want to discover.

I’ve been a fan of Chef Avinash Martins for a while, having visited Cavatina in Goa and also experienced his cooking at a pop-up at The Westin. So I’m really looking forward to coming back for the full Hyderabad experience, and hopefully getting to try some of Cavatina’s icons too — especially the restaurant’s interpretation of the Ross Omelette.

For now, I’m very happy to see this little piece of Goa make its way to Hyderabad. taken in Boulder Hills Golf Club by @hydfoodguy

99

5

a month ago

Picture this. The rain pouring down, the grand @tajkrishnahyd rising through the mist, and nowhere you’d rather be than in steaming hot water.

There’s the simple pleasure of being in the warm embrace of the whirlpool with your little one, watching him splash around, play, laugh, and completely forget about everything else.

Sometimes, luxury is really just this: comfort, nature, and a chance to create a few beautiful memories with family. taken in Taj Krishna, Hyderabad by @hydfoodguy

141

3

a month ago

Hyderabad has a new destination for Bangali Kha
abar. @ahabaangali is a welcome addition to the city’s Bengali dining scene. Already with three outlets in Pune, they’re now back in the city with a new space in Kokapet and a large menu covering plenty of familiar Bengali favourites.

The Fish Fry was easily one of my favourites — crisp, beautifully fried and packed with flavour. The Daal was deceptively simple but so tasty. It showcased the kind of restraint that Bengali comfort food needs to shine.

It’s always tough to judge food on the opening day. And the menu is actually quite large, so I look forward to heading back to discover more from their kitchen. The Chicken Kosha was missing the deep, dark caramelisation that gives the dish so much of its character, while the Luchi wasn’t quite as light and airy, or as beautifully golden brown, as I love it.

The meal ended on a high with Chutney and Papad, Rosogolla and Mishti Doi. All of them were fabulous.

Overall, though, Aha! Baangali offers a generous taste of Bengali favourites without making a meal here hard on the pocket. A nice new, family-friendly option for Bengali cuisine in the city. taken in Kokapet by @hydfoodguy

2k

103

a month ago

@mercure_hyderabad_kcp is currently hosting a deeply impressive showcase of the tribal cuisines of Nagaland, Assam and Meghalaya, with Chef Debjani Bagchi bringing together dishes shaped by the region’s produce, techniques and traditions.

The accompaniments were a particular highlight. The dry beef chutney, fiery Eromba and roasted tomato–sidol shutki chutney brought an incredible depth of flavour, with the kind of fermented, smoky and savoury notes that make this cuisine so compelling.

The Pork Fry was wonderfully simple — deep-fried pork ribs with beautifully rendered fat and just enough salt to let the pork do the talking. Akhuni made an appearance in a wonderfully comforting soup and pork gravy. The pungency was a lot more restrained than usual, but it still brought that incredible savouriness that makes it such a fabulous ingredient.

The Assamese Bilahi Masor Tanga was sublime, as was the Jadoh rice, with black sesame and turmeric coming together to give the rice its striking colour and distinctive flavour.

And even the desserts had a surprise. The chewy rice cake with ice cream is something I had never tried before and thoroughly enjoyed.

MIMUNG runs at Mercure Hyderabad KCP from 26–30 August. The tasting menu is available for dinner at Cayenne from 26–29 August, 7–11 PM, with a brunch on 30 August, 12:30–3:30 PM. There’s also a special set-menu experience at the Terrace on 29 & 30 August at 8:30 PM.

If you love this cuisine, or simply want to try something genuinely different, this one is well worth seeking out. taken in Mercure Hyderabad KCP by @hydfoodguy

108

2

2 months ago