I went on a fun outing yesterday (Tuesday) to have lunch at the Taj Falaknuma Palace. 
The palace took nine years to complete and was finally inhabited in 1889 by the then prime minister Nawab Vikar-ul-Umra as a personal residence. The thirty-five acre estate sits high on a hill and overlooks the city of Hyderabad. Story has it that the prime minister actually spent beyond his means to build the palace and
when the 6th Nazim (monarch of Hyderabad) came to visit, the Vikar’s wife hatched a scheme where he offered to give it to him. The Nazim liked the palace very much, but could not accept the gift and instead instructed the treasury to send the entire amount 
the Vikar had spent! The Nazim took possession of the palace around 1898 and the royal family used the property up until the early 1950’s. The palace was quiet until 2000 when Taj Hotels leased the property and started renovating it for a hotel.
After stopping at the gate and taking a electric cart up to the palace we toured some of
rooms and signed the guest book in the Vikar’s study. Walking into the bedroom we saw a 
beautiful four-poster bed and on the nightstand was a telephone made of pure ivory! There was a ladies “gossip” room and an interesting display of teapots.
We then walked down and interesting path of
stones, through a 
garden and over to the dining area. Greg, one of my cohorts, dines at the palace often and had called ahead to make the reservation. When the chef hears that Greg is coming he always offers a couple of extra entrees that are not on the regular menu!
The lunch started with some nice chutneys and crisp breads. We ordered a nice combination dahl and vegetable dishes which were nicely spiced, some heat but not so much that it masked the flavors of the food.
We ended the meal with some light deserts that the chef sent out for us along with the best masala tea that I have tasted. We arrived back at the clinic about four hours after our departure convinced that we need to make at least one more visit before it is time to go home!
Love this! And love that you have buddies there!!