I am once again back in the capital of my state to spend time with the in-laws who live just round the corner. I do not like this time of the year though-it is a festive season and the city is slowly gearing up for the harvest festival.
It's purely coincidental that I happen to have landed here at this time. I am the last to get dressed or be prepared for any such festivities especially those that revolve around over-religious sentiments attached to normal festivals of any state. I am comfortable in my blacks, a Patiala and a stole and of course all the junk jewellery that are my prized possessions.
I try to be neutral to all these things purely because it is humbug and sheer waste of hard earned money. My indulgences are different during these festive times...it is merely browsing through the food stalls on display, learning about or trying out new stuff that I have never heard about or eaten, trying out affordable restaurants and clicking random pictures of the ambiance and food. To each his own...remember this is my opinion!
It takes all kinds of people to make this world I know and I am no different from the rest but the gold, the glitter, the pomp, the show, the display of material possessions, big talk etc. repel me to the core. Anyway I am here and got to make the best of my stay here keeping my sanity intact.
The weather didn't agree with me the initial few days especially after falling terribly ill as I was under some duress after an episode in flight with a fellow passenger. Sometimes we feel like changing the world...but I repeatedly remind myself that the only thing we can change is ourselves.
It's good to take these short breaks from time to time...makes me feel more grounded as I reflect! Spending time with my in-laws and listening to all their stories especially of the husband gets me emotional and makes me want to note down all their wisdom and quotes. The amateur writer in me is always bright- eyed and bushy-tailed and gets easily tuned in to such things and make mental notes/candid video shots of the in-laws.
We are also very fortunate to have made some good friends here as well! And this post despite all the above major deviation in my story-telling revolves around our lunch outing with them.
When I was here the last time, a niece had randomly suggested this place to me. But I didn't get time to try it out. Thus, when our friends suggested this place which was just a hop, skip and a long jump away from our home, I said why not!!!
I would never ever have thought about this although I am aware that unlike our younger days, it is so difficult to get somebody to climb the coconut tree these days and put down the coconuts for you...what an innovative concept to catch hold of the falling coconuts!
The menu card says it all. It is a multi-cuisine restaurant with such a marvellous ambiance both inside and outside. We were seated indoors as we were here for lunch and it was pretty hot outside!
A hot and sour veg soup (Rs. 80/-) was shared between us ladies and the men shared a chicken clear soup (Rs.120/-).
Sorry to burst your bubble here dear nonvegetarians ...that was paneer 65 and it was the brightest dish considering what I had ordered. It tasted quite nice. It was highly recommended by my lady friend as they are regulars here with their kids. They do have happy hours for the kids after school she mentioned!
Could be easily shared between two but a bowl to oneself is pure bliss! The veg fried rice.
A mushroom side dish was ordered as well as my lady friend was a vegetarian. It was a chilly mushroom dish-Rs.150/-
One of the men had this fish meals and he did say that the sides were really yumm! It was around Rs.150/- If you notice that the plate is attached to the side dishes (thali and khatoris) Man's creative juices are unparalleled!
A Thalaserry mutton biriyani also made its way to our table and was enjoyed thoroughly by the husband! It didn't come with the raitha or the papad which I do not know is typical of a Thalaserry biriyani so he asked for the two.
The chicken cheenachatty fry was also ordered which was one of their specials...hmmm-Rs.300/-
The above is their outdoors. Our friends did tell us that it gets jampacked over the dinner timings and the weekends! A very boutique place. Service was alright, mental notes are taken of the order, there is an open kitchen, a couple of insects buzzing around in the air-conditioned space, did notice a waiter swat one on one of the tables!!! I did see butterflies outside!!! One with nature indeed!
Not sure how the outdoor experience would have been during lunch time but maybe a cooler evening I wouldn't mind having an encore. Nice and cosy place with nature all around you. Love that weaver bird's nest! Artificially created I am sure!
It seems they do have some music shows occasionally here. That's nice as long as it isn't jarring! Food, a great ambiance and music...my kind of dining experience!
Nothing new or rustic about the display but just clicked as it looked familiar and very artificially touched with paint!
All the water displays are wonderful photo props but I do hope that it does not breed mosquitoes and there is a pucca cleanup or maintenance to ensure that as I noticed that the open space is such a haven for youngsters!
I think that's a huge teapot! And below is a huge ceramic bharani.
The experience in a nutshell-The choice of food-8/10, the ambiance- 9/10, the service 7/10, the taste of the food-8/10, The quantity-9/10, The company-too good to be true and fortunate to have met such a lovely and down to earth couple.
The menu talks about their specials -Meals- with fish curry as well!
Thalaserry Classic Dum Biriyani.
Chicken Cheen Chatty Fry (Chicken tossed about and fried in a saucepan), A version of mutton in a thickened gravy, A local speciality of beef (Oops! I used the taboo word in India!!!)
Everything followed by a variety of fish tawa fried, with masala and another steamed etc.
By now you got the drift! This is a Mallu heaven for non-vegetarians!!!
http://khasak.com/ Come to think of it, this place almost reminded me of D-Café back home just that the buttons were missing!!!
Here there were woven mats embedded in the table décor instead of buttons!!! Loads of similarities indeed!
I read somewhere that they do have a door delivery service...I guess they should, I saw quite a lot of waiters (North-East India) Happy that there are jobs for them to fall back on and an income to send back home to their families!
Our friends treated us and the bill did come upto 1300 plus. We enjoyed ourselves and I would love to try out other things from their menu in future. Their Sulaimani tea was available...Although initially we were all bend on trying it after food...hmmm...everybody was too full to have it later on! the husband had a lemon tea instead and it was really yumm!
Found a nice recipe of an online friend's hence sharing it with you guys.
http://zestysouthindiankitchen.com/2012/08/sulaimani-chaya-sulaimani-tea-lemon-tea.html
