If there’s one place where you want to have Chicken Biryani, its right here ---- at Nagarjune Chimney.
For those who don’t know where it is, its at Jayanagar 4th Block, Bangalore. Its close to the 4th Block shopping complex. Other popular eating joints close to Nagarjuna are Chung’s (its a Chinese restaurant) and Pizza Corner. I am not suggesting that these are alternatives if you can’t find Nagarjuna....its only to help you find this place faster. Nagarjuna is simply irreplaceable for its quality of Andhra-style food.
If you are a vegeterian, and if you don’t like Veg Biryani, please dont visit this place. Thats because this is a hard-core Non-Vegeterian restaurant, with chicken, chicken and only chicken. Ofcourse, they do serve the usual Veg Meals....it costs Rs 50, and you get fantastic South-Indian meals....unlimited quantity, and great taste but Nagarjuna is better known for the Non-Veg stuff.
The ambience of this place is great. They have the A/C section on Second Floor and the Non-A/c section on First floor. Although the stairs leading you up doesn’t appear to be as clean, the restaurant itself is surprisingly clean. They renevoted the place around 1 year back, and therefore, the interiors and the furnishings are quite nice. Tables usually accomodate 4 people...nothing classy about the tables --- its the usual rectangular tables with 2 chairs on either side. But if you are going in a bigger group, I am sure the staff would ensure that 2 or more tables are brought together so that you can all sit together.
The place is not very expensive. A Chicken Biryani costs Rs 75, and a typical chicken dish like Chilly Chicken costs Rs 60. I usually have one biryani (large) with one chilly chicken dish. Not to forget a Thumbs Up to wash down the food. I think this is the world’s best combination...
You get good variety of chicken dishes...ranging from Ginger Chicken to Lemon Chicken....besides chicken, you get good Fish Fry (the boneless variety). I’ve seen people eating Mutton Biryani, but I am not a great fan of mutton. I’v rarely tried this at Nagarjuna....I end up eating this only if the Chicken Biryani is already over for the day, and I dont have any other choice.
If two people of good appetite go to this restaurant, the bill would be in the range of Rs 300-350. I guess that’s a decent price to pay for some great quality food.
In terms of alternatives to Nagarjuna, you could try Amaravati (next to Symphony Theater) or Bheema’s (Church Street). Not to forget Nandhini Delux (Near Sadashivnagar & Rajajinagar). These are also good Andhra style restaurants, but nothing beats Nagarjuna for its great quality food. Infact, my mouth’s been watering ever since I started writing this review. I’d better stop this or I’ll be wearing my shoes and leaving for Nagarjuna right now!!