Taj Falaknuma has been known to host some of the biggest celebrities, not just of Bollywood but from all over the world. The palace's heritage and beauty has been spoken about a gazillion times. But that's not all that's spoken about it, the food here is equally cherished. Made a reservation to dine at Adaa, the palace's Indian restaurant, and was excited like a little kid, looking forward to a dining experience like never before!
The palace offers a guided tour that comes as a part of your meal. So you're supposed to reach the palace 45 minutes prior as the tour takes about 30 minutes or so. Right from the entrance of the palace to the restaurant and the food, and to stepping out, it's a magical experience altogether!
There's a narrow road leading to the palace that has lush trees surrounding it. Feels like you're on a journey to a hill station. The car isn't allowed to go beyond the main gate, and a golf cart (baggi) takes you to the palace (another beautiful ride- just hope for the weather to be good). Once inside, you walk till the main entrance of the palace, and you gape at the beautiful view from there. It overlooks the entire city, and it looks pretty as hell. Like you would want to settle right there and not move base. It is simply breathtaking! The staff around is very sweet and friendly, and they would happily offer to take your pictures with the view of the city as the backdrop. Once inside the main palace, photography of the place is prohibited. After our tour, which is another story to narrate altogether, we were escorted to the restaurant.
The restaurant is dim-lit and the furniture and cutlery are exactly how you would expect to be in a palace- meticulously designed and shiny enough to woo the diners. We began with the starters- Patthar Ka Gosht and Zafrani Murgh Tikka. The Patthar Ka Gosht was melt-in-the-mouth. So damn delicious and packed with flavours!! The Zafrani Murgh Tikka was slightly subtle in terms of the flavours when compared to Patthar Ka Gosht, but tasted just brilliant with the soft succulent pieces of chicken and a crazy good marination. It was topped with mint chutney and tomato chutney for the extra punch, and was perfectly grilled in the tandoor.
In between the starters and mains they give you a sorbet as a palate cleanser. We were served with a lemon sorbet and it served the purpose just right.
For mains, we went with Murgh Masala (don't remember the exact name) and Dal E Adaa with some breads, and both the dishes were simply outstanding! Couldn't stop drooling over either. You don't describe such good food, you just go and experience it for yourself.
Ordered a Strawberry Kulfi for dessert and it came with pistachios and silver warq on it. Quite impressive to look at, but even better when you dig into it! We also asked the staff if they could do a chocolate truffle cake at such short notice and they did manage a half kg cake. A little goofup there as when we offered to pay for it they said it's with their compliments, but we were then charged for it in the bill. Nevertheless, the cake was superlative, and I relished it the next day too, so no qualms there.
There is a minimum spend of 3000 per head here, so ensure you cover that much if you don't want your money to go waste. If you order lavishly, the amount will be more than the minimum spend.
Adaa and Taj Falaknuma give you an experience, not just a meal. It's meant for people who will appreciate the beauty, grandeur, romance and the magical feel this place has to offer. The food was brilliant in my opinion, but some people might say they've had better. But then those people don't soak in the entire experience. So I repeat, you go there for the 'whole' experience, not just for the food. Cannot wait to go back to Hyderabad and re-visit my experience. This time for a stay at the hotel, I'm hoping!!
The staff is really sweet, they know the food well and help you with the recommendations, the ambience is really calm, relaxing and romantic, the food is prepared with such great detail to spices and flavours, and the experience is one to stay with you. The place is a must must try for all!
Timings:
12:30-2:45PM7:30-10:45PM
Contact: 04066298585
Address: Taj Falaknuma Palace, Falaknuma, Hyderabad
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