Prior to Aromas of China opening I had to be content with Golden Dragon at the Taj (since Mainland China has serious hygiene issues... and I haven't yet tried Shanghai Dice by the Zafraan Group). Aromas of China is on the 5th floor of the City Centre Mall, right in the same floor as Sahib Sindh Sultan, Indijoe and Firangi Paani. I recently re-visited Indijoe, and I want to say that the food is certainly better than just average. It's actually fairly good! Anyways, Aromas of China is the second iteration of the Bangalore-based Aromas of China which opened up several years ago. It's a plush restaurant, which gives the impression of an expensive restaurant. However, if you look at the prices it's actually quite reasonable. Currently you get 30% off the menu prices since its in trial mode - the menu is vast and I'm guessing it will be pared down significantly once the restaurant is "officially" open.
The menu has a large variety of chinese dishes, and there's absolutely nothing you won't find here. Food is good, the service is great as well. If you're coming in a group, I suggest a private dining room since they're quite dramatic. The one issue I have with this restaurant is that (like Indijoe as well) it is too smoky inside. Obviously they haven't spent enough money on getting special air filters installed in the a/c system but it is less of an issue here than at Indijoe (where the sizzlers make the air in the restaurant look foggy!). Overall, a great Chinese restaurant and my current favourite for the cuisine in Hyderabad (after Waterfront of course, but I don't consider Waterfront a strictly Chinese restaurant).
My second visit was to Zafraan Group's newly opened Mediterranean restaurant - Laguna. Located on Road no. 2 in the Lumbini Mall, Laguna is a really nice restaurant. The concept is refreshing (with shallow pools of water that snake around the restaurant, and floating candles. Plus a separated bar with an onyx finish), and the food is terrific (order the poached pear salad, or the chicken stuffed with prawns). For those who don't like mediterranean there is a decent selection of pastas and pizzas also available here. The drinks are quite nice (the litchi-tini is recommended) but its a shame the margaritas were not available when I visited.
There's valet parking for both restaurants. Zafraan Laguna is certainly one of a kind in the city, and catapults into my top 10 restaurants list of the city....
.... speaking of which... here they are!!
TOP RESTAURANTS IN HYDERABAD
Waterfront
Zafraan Exotica
Zafraan Laguna
Chutney's
Al Fresco (Taj Krishna)
Aromas of China
Ohri's Serengeti
Peshawri (ITC Kakatiya)
Encounter (Taj Krishna)
Little Italy
Angeethi, Road No. 1 Banjara Hills
The menu has a large variety of chinese dishes, and there's absolutely nothing you won't find here. Food is good, the service is great as well. If you're coming in a group, I suggest a private dining room since they're quite dramatic. The one issue I have with this restaurant is that (like Indijoe as well) it is too smoky inside. Obviously they haven't spent enough money on getting special air filters installed in the a/c system but it is less of an issue here than at Indijoe (where the sizzlers make the air in the restaurant look foggy!). Overall, a great Chinese restaurant and my current favourite for the cuisine in Hyderabad (after Waterfront of course, but I don't consider Waterfront a strictly Chinese restaurant).
My second visit was to Zafraan Group's newly opened Mediterranean restaurant - Laguna. Located on Road no. 2 in the Lumbini Mall, Laguna is a really nice restaurant. The concept is refreshing (with shallow pools of water that snake around the restaurant, and floating candles. Plus a separated bar with an onyx finish), and the food is terrific (order the poached pear salad, or the chicken stuffed with prawns). For those who don't like mediterranean there is a decent selection of pastas and pizzas also available here. The drinks are quite nice (the litchi-tini is recommended) but its a shame the margaritas were not available when I visited.
There's valet parking for both restaurants. Zafraan Laguna is certainly one of a kind in the city, and catapults into my top 10 restaurants list of the city....
.... speaking of which... here they are!!
TOP RESTAURANTS IN HYDERABAD
Waterfront
Zafraan Exotica
Zafraan Laguna
Chutney's
Al Fresco (Taj Krishna)
Aromas of China
Ohri's Serengeti
Peshawri (ITC Kakatiya)
Encounter (Taj Krishna)
Little Italy
Angeethi, Road No. 1 Banjara Hills
Grill Room, Fusion 9
Our Place, Road#10, Banjara Hills
Hyderabad Restaurant Honour Roll
South Indian: Chutney's
Italian: Fusion 9, Little Italy
Mexican: Bombay Blue
Indian: Copper Chimney, The Square, Deccan Pavilion, Angeethi, Ohri's Urban Tadka, Ohri's Serengeti, Zafraan Exotica
Chinese: Ohri's Far East, Golden Dragon, Zafraan Exotica, Waterfront
5 Star Hotel: Encounter (Taj Krishna), Golden Dragon (Taj Krishna), Deccan Pavilion (ITC Kakatiya), The Square (Novotel Hi-Tex)
Lounge-Bar: 10 Downing St, Touch/Fever, Liquids
Cheap-Delivery: Hyderabad House
Best Biryani:(tie) ITC Kakatiya Midnight Buffet, Novotel Buffet, Taj Krishna Buffet
Most Expensive: Taj Krishna's Sunday Brunch at Encounter
Best Chocolate Dessert: Taj Krishna's Encounter
Best Frankie: Tibb's Frankie
Best Coffee Bar: (tie) Barista Creme at Jubilee Hills, Mocha at Banjara Hills
Best Date Restaurant: (tie) Waterfront, Zafraan Exotica
Best Vegetarian Restaurant: Little Italy
Best Find: Chutney's
Most overrated: Angeethi, Hyderabad House
Best for kids: Ohri's Serengeti (rainforest cafe clone)
Next big thing: Yo!China (opposite Hyderabad Central in Panjagutta)
Best late-night dining: ITC Kakatiya Midnight Buffet, Ohri's Havmor
Guaranteed Good Food: Ohri's
Best Bar Food: 10, Downing St
Best drinks: Fusion 9
Next place I need to visit: Our Place (Banjara Hills)
Best Butter Chicken: (tie) Ohri's and The Square (Novotel)
Best Burger: McDonalds (Prasads)
Best Overall:
Waterfront (Tied Best atmosphere, Indian/Chinese food is good, Lake-side)
Zafraan Exotica (Tied Best atmosphere, Indian/Chinese food is good, Good service.. but no view makes it 2nd)
Little Italy (Good food, Great Atmosphere, Huuuge menu / authentic Italian... but ONLY vegetarian food makes it lose out)
