Comments on Traveller's Tales: Biryani Stories

AChatterjee said... *****QUOTEAnonymous said...I m...

2008-10-30T13:36:00.000+05:30

AChatterjee said...
*****QUOTE
Anonymous said...

I must say that the Kolkata Biriyani (aminia, shiraaz, etc) are far far better than the Hyderabadi biriyani which is awful and overcooked in south indian spice...since I had both for years..

the Kolkata biriyani with aloo and soft lamb is simply too good..but sadly so less publicity..

however you wil get it in Lazeez, Koramangala, Bangalore in south india
1:44 PM IST ********
Anonymous, I beg to differ....I am Bengali too, living in Kolkata, but have had the good fortune of staying in the city which makes the best biryani in the world.....period!I am amazed that even after having Aminia Biryani (thnks for the spelling tho!) u find the hyderabadi version good. I do kno what mirchi ka salan and Raita is, as I have been staying here for a couple of years now and have to live with this crap for some more time. It tastes like some overspiced unimaginative concoction of spices just for the sake of it...more like a potion or cure for cough and cold..

The aloo in Kolkata biryani tastes real good and soft & oily, with "flavour" being of primary importance rather than a mixture of excessive spices and curry leaves and tamarind in the Hyderabadi version. If Kolkata biryani is "flavour of zaffran and dalda", Hyd Biryani is "Mindless mix of spices".

Sorry to say your culinary tastes are indeed appaling and u are more of a southerner.

Very good post. The scipt and the pictures, mouthw...

2008-10-12T13:04:00.000+05:30

Very good post. The scipt and the pictures, mouthwatering.
I had an opportunity to try an really amazing Dum Briyani while I stayed at a Hotel in Bangalore. The place called "Nawab" is a Lucknavi/North Indian restaurant which is a part of that Hotel located near Race course. It also has some Hyderabadi dishes including the Mutton Biryani. It was one of the best Dum Biryani I ever had, a bit spicy , but just the way I like it.

I went to the same place the next day and asked for it again. Waiter thought I am ready for a bit adventure, suggested me to go for "Khargosh ki Biryani" cooked the same way. However, I decided to stay more conventional and had the Mutton Biryani again.

The other place I had a good Dum Mutton Biryani was at a restaurant at Hotel Balwas in Indore. The steaming clay pot of Biryani was served and the dough removed infront of my eyes. It was good , a bit different than the one I had at Bangalore but was equally delicious.

*****QUOTE Anonymous said... I must say that ...

2008-08-28T12:13:00.000+05:30

*****QUOTE
Anonymous said...

I must say that the Kolkata Biriyani (aminia, shiraaz, etc) are far far better than the Hyderabadi biriyani which is awful and overcooked in south indian spice...since I had both for years..

the Kolkata biriyani with aloo and soft lamb is simply too good..but sadly so less publicity..

however you wil get it in Lazeez, Koramangala, Bangalore in south india
1:44 PM IST ********
Anonymous, I beg to differ....I am Bengali too, living in Kolkata, but have had the good fortune of staying in the city which makes the best biryani in the world.....period! For starters, please save us all by spelling *biryani* correctly......
Overcooked???lol, try out the kachhe murgh ki Biryani, and then tell me....ppl in Hyderbad actually have an authentic side dish to go along just with that biryani...it called Mirchi Ka saalan...Probably, you just knew it was raita.....how commonplace! This biryani uses special amounts of fresh elaichi, clove, and cinnamon powders to give it that awsome knock-ur-sox-off aroma, unlike MOST other Indian biryanis, which rely on unflattering amounts of Kewra Water, Rose Water, and sweet attar!!!!A good cook will put simple things in his dish, and leave them to do their rest....not rely on dollops of artificial perfumery.....
And you said, it uses south indian spices.....how terribly ignorant....no `south indian spice`, whatever that may include, goes into the making of Kachhe Gosht Ki Biryani......
Lastly, I dont see any reason why biryani should include potatoes(two starch sources in a single dish????what gives????)(potatoes do justice only to our fave bengali Khichuri, right?)
i hope I have made my point clear, without sounding rude....you should opinionate based on facts....not what you think so......Though to satisfy my occassional itch, I will often knock at the doors of the neighborhood Aminia Store, I will be always miles away from authentic biryani(read: kacche Gosht ki Biryani, served with the sinfully rich Mirch ka Saalan)
ciao

@anon: Thanks for the info.@joey: I am flattered. ...

2008-07-30T09:25:00.000+05:30

@anon: Thanks for the info.

@joey: I am flattered. But was travelling in the US when you left the comment. Thanks anyway.

@publicis: Thanks for the info. I have actually tried some of these places, but a long time ago.

@sinu: Really? Cool!

@anon: Well, biryani was an import from the Awadhis who made Calcutta their home for a period of time.

Hi SG,A very informative post. Only knew desserts ...

2008-07-24T17:25:00.000+05:30

Hi SG,
A very informative post. Only knew desserts and fish as Bengali cuisine...never biryani. I have stayed in Hyderabad for a few years. The first time I dined out there, I was taken aback by the huge servings. Paradise in Secunderabad is famous for biryani. My friends loved it though I found veg version appalling...may be wrong place for me. North Indian is great at Angeethi and Ohri's. Both are not expensive. For Chinese it is only Mainland China. Dadu's is famous for khubani ka meetha. Another popular dessert there is double ka meetha....talking of desserts...I keenly look forward to a post on Bengali desserts. I am a big fan and have probably had all the varieties of sweets available in CR Park, Delhi.

nice to read of all the biriyaniThe best i ever ha...

2008-07-20T17:23:00.000+05:30

nice to read of all the biriyani
The best i ever had was at delhi durbar in colaba Mumbai.I still remember the taste after 7 long years.

Kolkata is best for tstebuds, Apart from Aminia & ...

2008-06-12T20:59:00.000+05:30

Kolkata is best for tstebuds, Apart from Aminia & Shiraz you can also try biryani from Royal, which is at M.G. Road and also a mughlai restuarant.
However, Aminia is too good, for who wants to eat some very nice biryani.
Try and enjoy!!! Its name only makes me hungry

Gr8 experiences shantanu, u seem to enjoy travelli...

2008-05-10T12:14:00.000+05:30

Gr8 experiences shantanu, u seem to enjoy travelling and exploring the world around. We are looking for someone like you. We are from NDTV. Can u call us on 09899777106 before Tuesday, 13th May 2008. We would like to call you as a guest on our show on travel show.

You might also want to try the Dum Biryani at Bagh...

2008-03-31T13:20:00.000+05:30

You might also want to try the Dum Biryani at Baghban in Camp. The best biryani I've ever had in Pune.

--------
Abhisek

@jyoti: Actually nahari is made of lamb trotters t...

2008-03-26T14:50:00.000+05:30

@jyoti: Actually nahari is made of lamb trotters too (here's a recipe for you).

Nahari is not made from lamb trotters. The lamb tr...

2008-03-26T13:52:00.000+05:30

Nahari is not made from lamb trotters. The lamb trotter soup is called Paya.

-Jyoti.

@zahid: Welcome to my blog! Yes, the history of m...

2007-11-02T10:11:00.000+05:30

@zahid: Welcome to my blog! Yes, the history of my favorite food has been fascinating to explore. And full of surprises.

This is the most informative biryani article to da...

2007-11-02T07:38:00.000+05:30

This is the most informative biryani article to date... I am a biryani lover and I had no idea that it came from Persia.. I always felt that Indians invented it coz we use so many spices to make this amazing tasting dish.. boy I was wrong!

@anon: Thanks for the list of restaurants. Useful...

2007-10-18T19:29:00.000+05:30

@anon: Thanks for the list of restaurants. Useful info for readers who want to try Kolkata biryani.

I must say that the Kolkata Biriyani (aminia, shir...

2007-10-18T13:44:00.000+05:30

I must say that the Kolkata Biriyani (aminia, shiraaz, etc) are far far better than the Hyderabadi biriyani which is awful and overcooked in south indian spice...since I had both for years..

the Kolkata biriyani with aloo and soft lamb is simply too good..but sadly so less publicity..

however you wil get it in Lazeez, Koramangala, Bangalore in south india

Interesting information here on the biryani. I lo...

2007-10-03T14:24:00.000+05:30

Interesting information here on the biryani. I love both biryani & history ;)

@anon: Thanks! Hadn't heard of Charchaa before. ...

2007-09-07T18:22:00.000+05:30

@anon: Thanks! Hadn't heard of Charchaa before. 'Seems like a 'Desi' version of Digg.

Mouth watering post! Posted this at Charchaa

2007-08-30T19:27:00.000+05:30

Mouth watering post! Posted this at Charchaa

@harekrishnaji: Thank You! Yeah, Khubani Ka Meeth...

2007-08-25T18:53:00.000+05:30

@harekrishnaji: Thank You! Yeah, Khubani Ka Meetha is another very unique Hyderabadi dessert. Probably will do a post on desserts some time.

I fail to understand, what is more tasty and deli...

2007-08-24T20:51:00.000+05:30

I fail to understand, what is more tasty and delicious ? The Biryani or the blog on Biryani !

My father was in Hyderabad for more than one month for tranning and he stayed in Taj. On the way back home he carried Hyderabdi Biryani and Khubani ka Mittha for us. After so many years I still remember the incidence and the taste.

@mahesh: Thank you! And my sympathies! :)@dorischu...

2007-08-22T07:15:00.000+05:30

@mahesh: Thank you! And my sympathies! :)

@dorischua: Thanks for visiting.

@anon: Thank you!

Hey Shantanu,Really nice post!! Indians unfortunat...

2007-08-22T05:33:00.000+05:30

Hey Shantanu,

Really nice post!! Indians unfortunately are not known for keeping records and doing research about their own cultures & identities but you have done a great job.

Thanks for dropping by my homeofficewomen.com blog...

2007-08-20T21:13:00.000+05:30

Thanks for dropping by my homeofficewomen.com blog. I have grown to like briyani rice... as long as the curry is not too spicy :)

Shantanu, Congratulations on your "century" and he...

2007-08-20T16:34:00.000+05:30

Shantanu,
Congratulations on your "century" and here's looking to more posts.
What an effective post to celebrate your 100 milestone.. All I can say is I resonate Sandeepa's comment completely. With Shravan going on and no meat in sight for at least another month, I can only drool at the great description and MUST (unfortunately) suppress my primordial urge to run off to the nearest biryani place.

@sandeepa: Thanks. Re: "ghaas-foos" (i.e, vegeta...

2007-08-18T21:56:00.000+05:30

@sandeepa: Thanks. Re: "ghaas-foos" (i.e, vegetarian stuff, for those who do not understand Bengali), ha ha, you have my sympathies!