FRASER TOWN: MM Road in Fraser Town is home to numerous restaurants, big and small, that claim to serve authentic Hyderabadi biryani and kebabs. But despite lofty promises, most of them fail to get the flavours right. After months of trial and error, we have discovered a place that serves the real deal.
Pista House, a humble restaurant (on your left, if you’re driving from Mosque Road), specialises in Hyderabadi and Mangalorean dishes.
Started a couple of decades ago, Pista House has 10 branches in Hyderabad and arrived at Bengaluru about three years back. The haleem from the restaurant is said to have won 502 national and international awards and is exported to over 180 countries. The owner of the franchise, Shafiq Ahmed, says, “Our version of the haleem, which is originally a Middle-eastern dish, is made with a special blend of spices and its recipe is patented.”
However, the ground-meat dish is available only during the month of Ramzan.
The Hyderabadi chicken biryani (`160 for regular; `180 for the boneless variety) at the restaurant is delectable with flavourful basmati rice and succulent pieces of chicken. The portions are huge, enough to serve two. But if you’re starving, get an entire handi for yourself. The Chicken Noorani Kebab and Angara Kebab go well with the dish, while a side of sear fish is also recommended.
Though not a great place for vegetarians, dishes like Shahi Paneer Korma and Veg Kolhapuri go well with rotis or neer dosa.
The menu also features an array of soups, starters and rotis. Ahmed recommends the nihari, pathar gosht, nalli gosht and paya. Hyderabadi desserts like double ka meetha and qubani ka meetha are a must-try after a filling meal.
The restaurant also sells 30-40 varieties of biscuits and cookies, which are manufactured in Hyderabad. These are exported to the USA, Canada and Middle-eastern countries, says Sheeja Riyaz, manager.
Pista House takes bulk orders for biryani. “Customers can order as many kilograms as they require. We also ensure that in an order of 2 kg biryani, there is 1 kg of rice and 1 kg of meat,” says Sheeja.
Bulk orders will be delivered anywhere in the city. Smaller ones, on the other hand, will be delivered within a five-km radius.
The management also has plans of expanding their business to Marathahalli and Koramangala in the next few months. A new unit to manufacture biscuits may also be on the cards.
It looks like this biryani joint is all ready to take over the city.