PlainGeets

Satiated with pastas, kebabs and all the usual suspects of restaurant cuisine, we were craving a change in cuisine this week when we remembered Enté Keralam.
Despite our best intentions, we hadn’t been back since last year’s sumptuous Onam Sadhya. The incessant blaring of religious (and other) songs from loudspeakers in celebration of Ganesh Utsav drove us out of the home nice and early into the lovely welcoming foyer of the restaurant with its gorgeous flower rangoli. We were the first diners of the evening, so we had the undivided attention of the entire staff and could truly soak in the ambiance of the restaurant and note all the tiny details, right down to the miniature fishing boat on the table.

We hadn’t looked at the menu last time, so we spent a good 15 minutes poring over it and going “Eeny meeny miny moe” till we decided what we wanted to eat!

With the help of the very courteous headwaiter, we started our meal with Kaithachakka Rasam (rasam made with pineapple), perhaps the most refreshing bowl of rasam I’ve ever had, with the perfect balance of pepper and sweet from the pineapple. Invigorated, we picked up our forks to drown our culinary senses in the succulent pieces of chicken tossed in peppercorns, Kozhi Kurumulakittathu.

Already well on our to food intoxication, we moved on to the main course for which we had ordered Peas Masala, Pachakari stew (vegetables stewed with mild spiced and coconut milk) and Thenga Varutharacha Curry (a delightful chicken preparation in a robust curry made with spices and coconut milk) with Appams and Idiappams.  Each of the three preparations had a distinct flavor and sent us to heights of gastronomic delight, especially coupled with crisp Appams with spongy middles to soak up the curries.

Well onto our way to transforming into beached whales, we decided to share the Paal Ada  Paysam (sweetened rice flake porridge), which perhaps was the only disappointment of the evening, since it was not half as nice as the Prathamam from last year. Nevertheless, we waddled out of the restaurant in a food induced stupor, content with the experience. I can’t wait to go back for a simpler Avial and Appams meal – hopefully it will happen before next year ! 🙂