Imagine having two of the most reputed chefs in Ancient History and Mythology cooking up a range of delicacies for you.

Presenting Nala and Bheema at your command! In a whole new restaurant called nala bhimas’ next to the TV5 office opposite the Chiranjeevi Blood Bank in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.

So what do you expect from an outlet that promises mouth watering Indian fare and speaks with a South Indian accent? Well, to cater to a quintessential Hyderabadi taste, the least you’d expect is a delicious Andhra spread, a competent Rayalaseema repertoire,  a generous sampling of Telangana preparations and a lovely local touch. The restaurant does not disappoint. In fact it takes a few additional steps to include some basic Chinese and some popular continental dishes as well.

When asked why, the Management and the Chef explain that they have often seen groups of friends coming out for a meal…most of them like South Indian cuisine in general, but there are always one or two friends who want something different. So a Fish’n Chips, a Noodle, a Chopsuey or a Fried Rice can always rescue the party.

Interesting? Thoughtful? I definitely thought so as I remembered a very contrasting experience where we had gone for dinner at an exclusive Chinese Restaurant and had among our very drunk friends, one guest who insisted on Curd Rice after the meal.

And got it without a problem.

But the main body of nala bhimas’ is as well fried as a andhra ‘vepudu’, as rustic as a rayalaseema ‘rotte’ and as tasty as a telangana ‘talimpu’. All the usual suspects are present and lined up. From the Ulavacharu Pulaos to the Gongura Mutton varieties of the same delicacy. And to the standard Biryani fare.

Add to the package a host of traditional preparations that cook up fish, prawns, mutton, chicken and vegetables into a mouth watering range of must haves and you easily find that Hyderabad now has yet another address that offers a fascinating culinary tour of the state.

But what may take you by surprise are the innovative combos that you can opt for…a variety of dosas as different as Ragi and Jawari…with something as basic as a Garlic Tomato Melt or something as exotic as a river fish ‘pulusu’. A Tollywood Celebrity apparently discovered a Jonna Dosa and Paya combination that he swears by. Not that I get enamoured by these celebrity testimonials, but at least it is better than the other gentleman who has a steamed Dosa named after him.

Another interesting innovation is the Vegetarian Liver Fry. While it sounds like an opposition of thoughts, the starter is really nice. Looks and tastes like the Liver Fry that the ‘carnivores’ amongst us like, but made strictly with vegetables and a very different masala.

Mention must be made of the ambience at nala bhimas’ which is all about rich and subtle, elegant and spacious. The private dining room is comfortably large and there are enough sections in the restaurant to offer some level of discretion.

All in all, an option that Hyderabad should welcome with a smile and a satisfied burp. And a genuine ‘feel good’ factor contributed by a management initiative that sees the restaurant donationg 2% of every bill to a designated charity.

At the end, do come to nala bhimas’…it may not be a Maha Bharat cuisine in totality, but it does reach the places that matter. The heart!