Khaan Saab's ornate and grandly done-up lobby, complete with a life-sized sculpture of an elephant, is quite deceptive about the rest of its business. Go in expecting a 5-star experience, and you will be sour for the rest of your meal. Go in expecting less, and you will emerge a happy guest.
The first thing that struck us about this Mughal-themed restaurant when we entered was how bright and animated it was. The interiors of Khaan Saab are off-white, and are brightly lit, in contrast to several restaurants that dim their lights in the name of upmarket "ambience". Moreover, the place was brimming with people (we'd gone there for dinner) having loud conversations. Fine-dining amidst the noise of a dhaba? Indeed.
A meal for two costs about Rs. 1,000 here, and the menu features only Mughlai delicacies. The food here doesn't have many admirers, but the atmosphere kind of makes you feel you're getting your money's worth.
There's seating on two levels, but they don't seem to open up the top-level area until the place is full. The view beside the windows, overlooking Road No. 1 of Banjara Hills, is pretty. Meanwhile, avoid being seated under the stairs - unless you're okay being served your shorba so late you can wash down your dessert with it.
Overall, it's a nice place for a date or a family outing, but only expensive. But then, in
GVK One, what isn't?