Ten-second takeaway
Get your dose of authentic Kerala cuisine {beef roast, appam-stew, and plenty of fish, obviously} at the Sheraton Grand until October 18.
Eat
Thalassery biryani
Drink
Morum Vellum {spiced butter milk}
Winning for
Balanced spices and vast offering for vegetarians. Plus, fresh {non-basa} fish!
What we ate
One simply doesn’t turn down Malabar food, despite having to navigate political gatherings and heavy traffic on the way. More so when visiting Chef Gladwin Antony from Le Meridien Kochi is curating the menu with the best of the best from the Golden Coast. You can literally follow your nose to Feast, the coffee shop, as the unmistakeable aromas of garam masala, fish, and coconut lead the way. And not keeping us waiting, Chef Antony swiftly brought us Chicken 65 and Cheera Pakoda {spinach and gram pakodas}. Kunthal Fry {squid fritters} and Prawn Coconut Fry are also part of the vast appetiser menu {a rotating menu, so no repeats should you indulge every day of the festival!}. Then we attacked the Kerala section of their massive buffet, and chose to stick to it, although Thai, Mediterranean and other Indian dishes were greatly tempting.
The mainstay
We started with brown rice and Nadan Kozhi Curry, a traditional Kerala-style chicken curry loaded with masala and coconut milk. Manga Meen Curry {raw mango, potato, and sea bass} with crisp yet fluffy appams was a match made in heaven as the appams cut the dominating tang of the fish curry. We’re not going to tell you to have Meen Moily and Mutton Pepper Fry because that’s a no-brainer, but what we will tell you to leave room for is the very traditional Thalassery biryani – a layered masala biryani, inspired by the Mughlai version, but made from local short grain khaima. The vegetarian option is great too, especially when had with Koon Pathani Curry – mushroom, potato, and peas in a coconut gravy. End with Payasam, jaggery Samosas, or Ilayada {heavenly parcels of rice flour packed with coconut and jaggery.}
So, we're thinking…
Since it's on only for a week more, we're planning to squeeze in at least two more visits for seconds and thirds. We suggest you do too.
Where: Feast, Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway, 26/1, Dr. Rajkumar Road, Malleswaram-Rajajinagar
When: Lunch: noon-3.30pm and dinner 6.30pm-11.30pm, until October 18.
Contact: 080 42520133
Price: Lunch INR 1,395 and dinner INR 1,545
Find them on Facebook here.
Check out their website here.
