Punnami

Punnami is on that curve of the road as you turn from Necklace Road to the Tank-Bund stretch. There's no flashing neon sign announcing its presence, no food festivals to draw in the crowds and no 'lake-view' promised (or provided). Visit it though, and you're in for a pleasant surprise.

Clean, basic and efficient, Punnami makes up for its lack of excitement with something else that mere hoop-la cannot compete with - excellent value for money. The menu is barely three pages long, and but is high on quality and taste.

Andhra dishes here are particularly good, and the favourites are not too spicy (perhaps keeping the foreign tourist in mind, considering Punnami is run by the APTDC). You must try the full-flavoured gungura kodi, the generous portion of chaapa vepudu, and the tender mutton curry. If you're vegetarian, try the special thali, which is one of their best-sellers. If you're not in the mood for rice, try their huge and delicious chapathis. Finish off with the double-ka-meeta, which is light and just the right amount of sweet.

Punnami serves a breakfast buffet of puris, idli and upma every morning. So drop in if you want a break from the over-done over-masala-ed joints everywhere else, and all you're looking for is a belly-full of good food served hot. And your wallet won't wince either.