Imperially Indian: A meal at Sahib Sindh Sultan

Squatting quietly beside the thundering nightclub Firangi Paani and glass-cased fusion-cuisine restaurant Indi Joe on the top floor of City Centre Mall, is the north Indian restaurant Sahib Sindh Sultan. Set like a railway station during the days of the Raj, this eatery draws foodies by the dozen who swear by their paneer tikka and butter chicken. But hang on, there’s more to this place than the ubiquitous north Indian khaana, thoda malai maar ke! Read on …

Choose to dine at the platform (smoking zone) or walk into the ornate carriage (non-smoking zone) to get transported to a period you so read about in your history books. The menu reads dishes from Kashmir and Punjab to Gujarat and Rajasthan, with some interesting Anglo-Indian food thrown in. For starters, try the vegetarian Lady Canning Reshmi Paneer Tikka or Makai Mothia Seekh (corn seekh kebab). For non-vegetarians, there are Roti ki Boti (mutton based), Murgh ka Soola (boneless chicken) and Lord Mountbatten Lobsters.

The main course ushers in bread/rice with Keema Meat a-la-Rara (Punjabi), Murgh Peshawari (Kashmiri), Rajputana Lalmaas (Rajasthani), Havelock Fish Mussalom (Kolkata) and such other delicious items. You might consider teaming your meal with some fresh ganne ka ras or sweet lassi. Make sure you save some appetite for Sahib Sindh Sultan’s fabled desserts—gulab jamun with brandy, litchi ki Tehri, and apple walnut phirni, to name a few.

The restaurant remains open from 12 pm – 3.15pm (lunch) and 7 pm – 11.15 pm and has valet parking facility. Book your table to avoid the waiting trial. Two of you can treat yourself to this entire dining experience for Rs 1000 – Rs 1500 (max).

As you walk out, don’t forget to tug on the Station Master’s Copper Bell; helps to remind you that you are still at the City Centre Mall in Hyderabad!