Ohri’s 100 Degree

The Scene
A view in the late night of the lights of the Tank Bund road glimmering in the waters of the Hussain Sagar in all the rainbow colors can be very appealing indeed (unless, for some reason, you are in the waters and are trying hard to get out). 100 Degrees of Ohri is presented as a waterfront restaurant overlooking this sight, but there are about 8 tables that offer you this ringside view out of a total of about 25, and on a weekend, there's a 45-minute wait, as the dispassionate lady at the reception informs you, er, dispassionately.

The fairly large sizzler and conti joint has most of its floor space on the other side of this view, and while Ohri being Ohri lends character to this part as well with muted lighting, a dome-shaped low cobblestone ceiling and a rather unsavory narrow strip of water in the middle, it's not what you came hoping for - a lakeside dinner. The place is also too crowded for any kind of romantic outing that the setting might inspire, especially on weekends. Hopefully the birthday you want to celebrate is Monday to Friday, business hours.

The Food
The tagline is "sizzlers and more...", and they don't disappoint. There are over 30 sizzlers on the menu, and you can make your own, too (with choice of 2 accompaniments, 1 sauce and 1 bread). A sizzler feeds one, and costs Rs. 200 - Rs. 275 (seafood can go upto Rs. 500). There's BBQ Veg Sizzler, Mushroom Delight, Paneer Shaslik Sizzler, Lamb Shaslik Sizzler, Grilled Pomfret Sizzler and Shanghai Chicken Sizzler in a wide variety.

100 Degrees is not just about sizzlers, though. There are standard soups and salads (Rs. 80 - Rs. 130), a dozen appetizers (Rs. 95 - Rs. 225), Indian platters (6 veg and 6 non-veg, that come with a kebab-of-the-day, Dal Makhani, salad, papad and choice of Indian breads, and cost Rs. 225 - Rs. 295), international platters (4 veg and 6 non-veg, Rs. 200 - Rs. 245, more for seafood), pasta (6 varieties for Rs. 195 - Rs. 275), 14 pizzas (Rs. 195 - Rs. 300) and a dozen desserts (mostly continental stuff, Rs. 55 - Rs. 105).

While the food tastes pretty much the way it should, it's also, as you can see, expensive - a meal for two adults can crank out a bill of Rs. 600 - Rs. 800 easily, and if you check too many things from the super-elaborate drinks menu, too, you hopefully are not already drunk.

The Verdict
100 Degrees could have been a proper romantic dinner outing, but unlike a Zafraan Laguna, puts too many other people within earshot. Hopefully, like we said, the birthday is Monday to Friday, business hours.