While there are quite a few restaurants serving fusion cuisine in Hyderabad, it was Mumbai-based Glocal Junction that was one of the first to offer delicious fare at reasonable prices. With their new menu at the year-old Kondapur outlet, the restaurant proves that it’s still the master of the trade.
We visited the restaurant on a Monday noon to sample their new food and drinks menu. As we entered, we observed that the 200-seater was quite full, even on a weekday. The reason, we learned, is their newly-launched lunch buffet, which serves about 30 dishes comprising starters, main course, salads and a live counter. Apart from the delicious food, it’s also the décor that adds to the vibe. With two bars — island and surface, the ambience help you unwind with peppy music, allowing you to comfortably consider spending long hours in the resto-bar. Add to that, their signature small plates are a perfect combination to the cocktails on offer. The new menu too serves eight vegetarian and non-vegetarian small plate options. That apart, the well-curated two-page menu also offers covers a range of sections including grills, pizzas, salads and meals.
As we settled down near the island bar, the Mushroom in Chilli Bean Sauce arrived on our table. Although it’s cooked in a spicy sauce, the mushroom pieces are still crispy to the hilt. A classic on the menu is certainly their Fried Mac & Cheese. The crispy balls filled with mac and cheese pasta stuffing makes for the perfect nibble with the refreshing Tangerine Lemongrass Cooler — made of lemongrass, mandarin orange and mint. Meat lovers must try the tangy Zaituni Chicken Tikka.
The menu also offers some of their most-selling dishes from the previous menu including Coorg Style Chicken, Chicken Wings and French Fries Overloaded. For mains, we took bites of the Mutton Baida Roti. Served piping hot, this combination of paratha, keema and egg wrapped and shallow fried in a thick batter, is quite filling and flavourful. The Spaghetti with Chicken Salami is another highlight from the meals section. The tender-cooked slices of chicken layered with spaghetti, onion, roasted garlic and cooked in chilli oil is the perfect pairing with a pint of beer. From the dessert section, we recommend the Chocolate Brownie French Toast. Toasted in a waffle machine, the brownies are moist, and the topping of rabdi with vanilla ice cream serving is the cherry on top!
Glocal Junction definitely deserves a visit for its elaborate new menu, even if it involves a long drive to Kondapur.
Price for two: Rs.1,200.
Pics: R Satish Babu.