It's sundown, time to feast

The month of Ramzan is here and the festive spirit is renting the air. It's the time of the year when the city turns on the feasting mode. Every nook and corner of the city is dotted with the famed delicacy of Hyderabad – Haleem. Many restaurants in the city offer special iftars everyday where people gorge of delicious food after a day-long fast. To make the feasting time unique SodaBottleOpenerWala (SBOW) brings in the experience from various Ramzan observing nations in the Middle East along with Hyderabad's all-time favourite – Haleem.

The tantalising menu at the restaurant comprises of varieties of Haleem including Vegetarian Haleem, also called as Haleem Bandenjan, Persian style eggplant dip flavoured with Iranian Kashk; Special Mutton Haleem, topped with ever-popular Talahuwa Gosht; Persian Mutton Haleem, a meat paste made from slow cooked mutton and wheat kernels, made in traditional Persian way. The Middle Eastern dishes include Chicken Shish Taouk, a Lebanese speciality, done in the SBOW style with pickled chilli and spices. Also, there is the Irani Raan Pulao inspired from the Yemeni Mandi to a Mezze Platter for the vegetarian, who would like to get a taste of the Gulf, to the Shish Taouk Chicken popular in Lebanon and many more.

In the Haleem menu, Persian Mutton Haleem is the clear winner, however, Special Mutton Haleem topped with Talahuwa Gosht is the stand-out. Vegetarian Haleem and Chicken Haleem are pretty decent too.

On the Middle Eastern fare, enticing and the scrumptious Mezze Platter for starters was just the right beginning. The Lamb Arayes, pita bread stuffed with spiced minced lamb had a burst of flavours on the palate and it left the taste buds craving for more. The Chicken Shish Taouk was luscious. It was followed by Irani Raan Pulao, which stole the show with its impressive and mouth-watering presentation and the flavourful Pulao can be shared by four people.

The desserts from the region are a tasteful way of ending this festive gastronomical ride. Dishes like Umm Ali, the puff pastry baked with dry fruit such as raisins, pistachio, cinnamon milk and cream; and Kanafeh, the cheese-based dessert, were really a delight.

This special menu is available all day, until June 5.