Restaurant Review
Taste par Excellence
Six Restaurants in Kochi reviewed on the basis of their ambiance, service and signature dishes.
To create the ultimate bucket list of restaurants in Kerala, FWD Life begins with the hunt for eateries and diners as we are to start with a series on restaurant reviews. By experiencing the ambiance and tasting the specialties of each of these places, we rate the settings and preparations of these food destinations. Armed with lights and camera, the team went in search to pick the most visited restaurants, be it the ones with an elite ambiance or the local eaters. In this issue we have covered six food joints that include a bake house and five restaurants. The bake house known for its pastries, cookies and rolls serves snacks with utmost hygiene and quality and some of the listed restaurants have fully air-conditioned comfortable amenities and a few with not so enjoyable environment, but lovely food. Though most of them have a variety of dishes, we have picked up one of their signature dish.
Bake My Day
Location : Subhash Chandra Bose Road, Kadavanthara
Ambiance : A relaxed and tidy eat out were one can hangout for hours together; relaxing on their luxurious couches sipping shakes or munching some scrumptious rolls or rich pastries. Within ‘BMD’ to the left you have racks filled with cookies and then come the stretch of pastries to ones choice of taste, sandwiches, patties and ice creams.
Snack combo for 2 : Chicken California (2 nos), Choco mud pastry (2 nos), cappuccino (2 nos) [Rs.280 + tax]
FWD’s Pick : Blueberry cake [Rs.650 + tax- 1 kg]
Owner John Thottam says “It’s a cake made of fresh cream, blueberry and white sponge cake”.
Kettuvallam
Location : Kaloor Kadavanthara Road
Ambiance : This restaurant by the roadside built in the shape of a boat has its entrance with a door opening to a dinning space with cushioned sofa seats, were one can enjoy sitting under the bamboo blanketed roofs with the fragrance of some delicacies prepared there, listening to melodies Malayalam film songs of the seventies.
Meal for two : Fish curry meals (fish curry, aviyal, thoran, koottukari, pacadi, inji curry, pickle, sambar, moru, rasam, papad, payasam) [Rs.200 + tax]
FWD’s pick : Karimeen Pollichathu [as per size + tax]
Chef PR Mani about the dish : “A medium spicy fish preparation cooked with a mixture of onions, garlic, chilly, tomato and chilli powder wrapped in banana leaf, seasoned with mustard seeds.”
Shaappukada
Location : Vytilla
Ambiance : Though named ‘Shaappukada’ never expect it to be a men’s only accessible restaurant; dingy and dark.The semi air conditioned restaurant has been constructed, imbibing the ambiance of a modernised toddy shop has coir wrapped door handles and roof lanterns, stylised bamboo thatched roofs worked on with boat-shaped bamboo art effects’ embedded with lights at the backdrop to wooden varnished benches.
Meal for Two : Chirattaputtu (3 nos), Duck Roast (2 nos) [Rs.265 + tax]
FWD’s Pick : Chapathi, Chicken Fry [Rs. 120 + tax]
Manager Siji about the dish : “We serve 2 chapathi’s and a piece of medium spicy chicken fry with green salad; filling for one.”
Naalukettu
Location : Vytilla -Tripunithura Road
Ambiance : This fully air conditioned restaurant on the first floor has a delightful environment designed with Kathakali statutes and elephant caparison highlighting Kerala culture. It is a family restaurant, spacious to accommodate over forty at a time. Its hygienic seating with detachable white covers and clean tables shows how carefully they maintain and serve their customers who rely on their preparations.
Meal for two : Butter Naan (3 nos), Chuttaracha Chicken (1 no) [Rs.307 + tax]
FWD’s pick : Crab Roast [Rs.220 + tax]
Chef Girish about the dish : “It’s a crab preparation cooked in coconut milk.”
Cochin Coffee Club
Ambiance : ‘C3’ in short, has the best of road facing seating facility with cosines and privacy to the heights. Entering this 24×7 coffee shop as you climb the arrow stairs with wall papers inspiring to have a cup of coffee, on its first floor they have an air conditioned family restaurant serving Continental, Tandoor and Chinese cuisines. And walking up to the second floor they have the ‘Hookah lounge’ with the best of ambiance created with paper and wall art arranged with black round tables and couches, perfect for a flavoured gang puff.
Snack combo : Black bean coffee (2 nos), Ozone chicken flat sandwich (1 no), Chicken Lowers (1 no) [Rs.300 + tax]
FWD’s Pick : CQ Jango sizzler [Rs.350 + tax]
Chef Mohammad about the dish : “A mixed non vegetarian sizzler made of chicken, prawns, beef, mutton.”
Nasarani Kitchen
Location : KK Road
Ambiance : By the roadside, with ample parking space, you see a restaurant’s name board with the picture of an old Syrian Christian granny. As you enter a few steps to the left takes you in to the restaurant, a food joint with limited space and facilities, but one of the restaurant’s that serve good Syrian Christian fish preparations.
Meal for two : Vegetarian meals (aviyal, thoran, pachadi, kichadi, mezhukkuperatti, pickle, papad, koottucurry, sambar, rasam, payasam) [Rs.160 + tax]
FWD’s pick : Prawn Roast [Rs.160 + tax]
Chef Darwin about the dish : “A medium spicy prawn preparation with pepper, chilly powder, onions and garlic; seasoned with curry leaves.”
Restaurant Review
A Mishmash of Flavors- Farrago House
What happens when an Engineer, a doctor to-be, a BBA graduate and a Chef plans something together? So, when Arjun, Mishal, Akshay and Suneesh got together, it resulted in a restaurant. Farrago House may look like just another ordinary eatery at Athani Centre in Thrissur, but the food that comes out of their kitchen is a must try.
When asked about how they decided the name Farrago, Akshay, one of the owners said “Farrago means a mixture of things. Similarly, we serve a mixture of all kinds of food over here”, and yes from Chicken Pidi and Meen Mulakitathu to Burgers and Skewers they serve all varieties of food.
They have a large open kitchen with 7 chefs mixing together ingredients, combining them and bringing out steaming hot tasty food to the customers.
They started this restaurant on July 1st of this year, and in this short period of time they have a very large number of customer base in the city. Their pricing of food is on a lighter side. Hence college students, families etc. can devour tasty, high quality food in an affordable price range.
When asked about their special dishes, they said that Pothichoru and Dum Biriyani have a separate fan base in the area. A large number of these dishes get sold on a daily basis. Similarly, their different variants of Burgers are a must try. Also, by next month they are planning to introduce Fusion Food to their customers and the main dish is the flavorsome “Elaneer Chicken”. Even though everyone is stuck at home and can’t dine out, the restaurant plans to deliver tasty mouthwatering food to your doorsteps.
Their parking space is something that should be pointed out. For many people parking is a huge headache while going out. Either you have to wait to get some space or you should park somewhere far away and then walk to the cafes or restaurants. But here, Farrago house has a spacious car parking facility where they can accommodate a large number of customers.
Due to covid restrictions and curfews, Farrago house does not have a dine-in facility. Currently takeaway and delivery is only available. Once it opens, you can visit and enjoy the fine dine space and the cool ambience of the restaurant.
Follow them on Instagram for delicious posts- https://instagram.com/farragohouse
Words by: Malavika Venugopalan
Photo Credits- Arfan Abdulazeez https://www.instagram.com/the.procaffeinator/
Restaurant Review
It’s their Turning Point
Life of so many took a turning point due to the stressful yet to end COVID disaster, many industries got stand still shattering life and dreams of many. The great Socrates had said, “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new”. Arnold and Rohit have done the same, despite all these struggling pandemic days, they have come up with Turning point- the newest food joint in town.
People of Kochi, especially the once active party goers may recognize Arnold Heiden as that young DJ who have made people groove to his music in almost every popular dance floor in Kochi, but being the clubs and pubs shut, Arnold took a break from the turntable to the billing table at Turning Point, were you can see him with that warm smile welcoming his customers. Arnold left his decent 9 to 5 desk job for this and joining him was his friend Rohit who was an engineer in Saudi Arabia. Both of them left their jobs and ventured into the food business.
Arnold and Rohit had been planning for a food truck concept but due to the strict laws the authorities were not giving the license for a live kitchen on a vehicle and then they settled with a concept of dine in food joint.
Turning point has already become the fav among the youngsters in Kochi with the beautiful ambiance and the mouthwatering food which they offer. Due to the Covid regulations currently dining is not allowed and only take home is available, but once the restrictions are withdrawn turning point will surely become one of those buzzing hangout food joints in the City. They are even planning to add Pizza’s, pancakes, live desserts etc. into the menu once the dine in restrictions are withdrawn
You can have a wide range of menus from Croquettes, fries, Wings, Wraps, Rolls, Burgers and even veg and nonveg bowls for those who are looking for a heavy dining. The price is on a lighter side with respect to the premium quality food which they serve. For the hot tea lovers, Chembil Chaya within the premises is a live tea counter which will serve you a variety of tea they have. Turning point will be soon available over the online delivery portals and you can have their food served at your doors, but we highly recommend to have a visit to Turning Point once the covid scenario is over.
Turning Point/Chembil Chaya is in PT Jacob Road, opposite to Our Lady’s Church, Thoppumpady
Words by: Vivek Kadavath
Restaurant Review
A Twist Of Taste At Crowne Plaza Kochi’s Trilogi Restaurant
FWD Life had the pleasure of savouring the delightful additions to the restaurant’s popular menu last week
Text credit: Charishma Thankappan
Raising the standards of fine dining in Kochi, Trilogi Restauarant at Crowne Plaza Kochi launched their revamped menu this past weekend. Adding to their existing menu which features tastes par excellence, the latest dishes promise to elevate the gastronomic experience.
The entire hotel wore a festive look, being ornately decorated and the staff dressed in traditional Kerala attire of cream and gold saree and mundu and kurta. Lilting aromas of fresh jasmine flowers adorning the entrance way to the restaurant set up the warm welcome for the guests on this night of the new menu launch.
Trilogi wore a romantic look, with each of the tables being decked up with a candle placed creatively on a stub of banana stem. There was no surprise that the place was packed for the night.
The night began with a welcome drink called Ilaneer Paaniyam, a most imaginative concoction of ilaneer, ilaneer malai, and coconut milk blended with a dash of mint, ginger, and sugar. Served in a tall glass with a rose petal, this was a most refreshing and unique taste that won the heart right away.
In streamed the platter of starters next, comprising Chemmeen Urulakizhangu Dosa, Kanthari Chicken, Aatirachi Nei Pathal in the non-vegetarian options and Chuvannulli Inji Vada, Vazhapoo Kadala Parippu Cutlet for the vegetarians. Bursting with flavours, each of them were mouthwatering, but the highlight was the Chemmeen Urulakizhangu Dosa – an artistic genius of the chefs. This was washed down with Seafood Thengapaal Soup, a best-seller in the existing menu. Pineapple Rasam was the delightful alternative for vegetarians.
The main course looked overwhelming with a plethora of appealing names. And sure enough, the arrival of the delicacies, preceded by their heavenly aroma was intoxicating. Opting for the non-vegetarian menu, we received Syrian Beef Koorka Roast, Mutton Kurumulagu Chaaps, Kuttanadan Tharaavu Varutharacha Curry, to be devoured with fresh, fluffy appams and Fish Biriyani. Its vegetarian substitutes composed of Vellary Uppumanga Curry, Vazhapoo Vanpayar Kachiyathu, Koon Koorkka Peera Pattichathu, with Idiyappam, Appam, or Chef’s Special Paratha.
Dessert time was another brilliant showcasing of Executive Chef Kalesh and his team’s imaginative prowess. Vazhapoovu Ela Paayasam, Bebinca, and Ilaneer Pudding brought the night to a flourishing end. Yet again, the Ilaneer Pudding proved to be an ingenious creation and left the biggest impact upon us.
The biggest highlight of the revamped menu at Trilogi is the sheer innovativeness and artistry of the dishes. Got to give it to Chef Kalesh and his team for the efforts that they put in for creating a truly one-of-a-kind spread that has not been seen before. The mastery of the team lies in the deft use of the indigenous Kerala ingredients to make stunningly exotic tastes that would be novel for even Malayalis. As Chef Kalesh says, “We put in months of research into each dish. There is a story behind every dish, and we have derived them from authentic Kerala recipes used by natives from different parts of the state.”
The restaurant’s name Trilogi, as chef explains, is deduced from the three regions of Kerala – Malabar, Cochin, and Travancore. The restaurant features exclusive dishes from each of the regions, sticking to the authentic recipes. “Our chefs are sent to the houses of natives to learn the indigenous recipes and they come back and recreate in our kitchens. We mostly stick to the original recipes as it is, but sometimes add our own twist to it.” This twist is perhaps what elevates the dishes at Trilogi to heavenly heights, bringing diners back again and again to savour the unforgettable tastes.
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