Our benchmarks for a good food place

Nirmal Reporting:

Our general theory on Kozhikode's food places is that the one who cant pay justice to a 'Kozhikodan Biriyani' does not deserve to run a hotel in this paradise for foodies. Many of our friends from the south of Kerala, find this part of the State pretty laid back in terms of aspirations (May be, they haven't looked at the latest socio-economic statistics). But all them agree to the taste that even the smallest hotel establishment of Kozhikode ensures. For us, anybody who finds Kozhikode's food (Malabari food in general) not for his/her taste buds, should better get their tongues tested.

Our food experiences here have ranged from the most Traditional to Continental. The Tattu Dosa made in front of New Tops Bakery, Malapparambu (there has been some rearrangement in their placement these days, we are yet to figure it out); Nattholi Fry at Dolphin Restaurant in MM Ali Road; Traditional French Soup at MGrill, Focus Mall; Goan Fish Curry at King's Bay; Beef Biriyani at Rahmath Hotel; Chicken Ala-Kiev at Sea Queen; Fish Fry at Amma Mess; Traditional Lunch (Uunu) at Brother's Hotel, Karanthur, have all been heart stealers. They have surprised our palates and left us wanting for more. Surprisingly, there are many more that deserve our attention, we hope our blog will give them their due.

Kozhikode, however is no food haven, you can easily lose your way if you are not guided well. We have had our share of sob stories to tell. We were once served Chicken Strogonoff, when we ordered Chicken Ala Kiev at the Sea Queen Hotel, even as the bearer kept insisting that it was Ala Kiev. On 'summoning' the restaurant manager, he first defended the bearer saying, "Chicken Ala Kiev can be made this way as well". Unfortunately for him, we didn't agree and he had to replace the dish with the original. Though he did later come to clarify, he said, "People in Kozhikode like the Strogonoff version better, so we don't serve the other thing." Another story of regret, was our time at Garlic Routes, first with their burnt Sizzler and then a second time with their sticky, overcooked Biryani, made us very angry. We have not yet forgiven them for the Biriyani. Copperfolia disappointed us on our wedding anniversary with their portion sizes and ambiance (or should we say, the lack of it).

In short our culinary journey has had good and bad times, but predominantly they have been good. For a long time we had been planning to jot down these experiences..and now here is where we have found the space.