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Restaurant Review

On a Food Radar

Food is a subject that lends itself to an endless variety of conversations. And this month I meet the Italian culinary whiz, Chef Joji Joshua, Executive Chef of Holiday Inn to share some unique gastronomic experience.

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mangiare-per-vivere2Mangiare per vivere e non vivere per mangiare is an Italian proverb that can be easily translated as “Eat to live and not live to eat.” This month at Roma, Chef Joji shares his dish that’s central to the hearts of all Italian cuisine lovers.

JOJI-JOSHUAThere are so many trends evolved in cooking, what’s yours?
I don’t really believe in fusion, what’s old fashioned just stays.

How is Kochi warming up to Italian food?
It’s a relief to see the big change; Kochi is now enjoying the Italian cuisine and moving out of the Biryani trend. I think people now understand the work behind making a great dish. They have an idea of the effort it takes and they are gaining knowledge with the help of travel and lifestyle television shows. They are more demanding with what they won’t on their plate from the type of cheese to the sauce. Now we can’t underestimate them!

What makes Italian cuisine a roar?
Italian cuisine is a success because the ingredients are simple, natural and easily available. With fresh ingredients it also goes well with the local palette.

Italian and Indian food have a similar palette, yet what makes them distinct?
Both cuisines have great strengths. Italian cuisine has a healthy balance of nutrients from the carbohydrates to vegetables such as including tomato and cheese. Indian food is enriched with spices. Usually spices are seen as taste enhancers but it also has medicinal values. Yet Indian cooking can also focus on the quality of minimalism that’s seen in Italian cuisine.

What’s on the plate?
Stuffed chicken legs with spinach, mushroom, and mozzarella…

How does your style reflect on this dish?
The ideal dish has to be both simple and complicated. The chicken looks simple but the complexity is in the stuffing. It consists of spinach, mushroom, and cheese. The beauty of it is in the color because of the spinach.

What completes this meal?
Enjoy it with an ample amount of time. You should never rush yourself to enjoy a good dish. A good selection of either red or white wine will go along with the meal. Dinner would be the best time.

There’s an important emphasis on healthy food?
The most important thing about food is finding its balance. Apart from enjoying its taste one must look at its nutritional value. In my signature dish it’s a combination of sauce, vegetables, starch, spinach and mushroom. Also use the right ingredients in the balanced way. For example, olive oil is still a type of oil. When it’s heated it becomes unhealthy.

mangiare-per-vivere3A fine dining tip…
Make reservations it certainly saves time!

Personal recommendations at Roma
Steak Beef served as medium
Pork Chops
Chef’s signature dish

What’s the one dish you’re grateful the world discovered?
Anything cooked with demi-glace

Your laziest and easiest breakfast…
Fried egg

Who cooks the most at home?
My wife

If you could uncover the recipe of a famous meal it would be…
Gourmet dinner of the chef’s association

The first meal you cooked successfully…
Dal Fulka and Kerala style chicken curry

Who would you love to serve your signature dish?
Dr. Manmohan Singh

The timeless dish you have to serve anytime, anywhere…
Celery soup

A country apart from India that amazes you with its cuisine…
France

The most unconventional ingredients one cannot imagine adding in desserts…
Basil for dessert!

The one word that describes your food…
Balanced

A TV show you cannot resist…
Masterchef

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Restaurant Review

A Mishmash of Flavors- Farrago House

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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/

 

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Restaurant Review

It’s their Turning Point

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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

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Restaurant Review

A Twist Of Taste At Crowne Plaza Kochi’s Trilogi Restaurant

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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.

Candle

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.

Seafood Thenga Paal Soup

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.

Main course

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.

Dessert

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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