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Showing posts with label South Indian restaurant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South Indian restaurant. Show all posts

Saturday, November 11, 2017

Saravana Bhavan: A True 'Bhavan'[Abode] of Veg Food?!

Temple Palace Saravana Bhavan Review

Mushroom Idly. Mushroom Masala Dosa. 
Interested? Read on!
Driving down the highway on our way back to Kochi after a holiday, we noticed this place for the first time. The brightly lit display and name caught our attention. This was how we entered the new restaurant with the old world charm, called Temple Palace Saravana Bhavan. As mentioned, they have the advantage of being located beside the highway. Like most places that 'share' the name, it may not match the famous Saravana Bhavan in Chennai but they do a decent job, as you will read below.

Temple Palace Saravana Bhavan, Amrita Nagar, Edappally
When you first drive up to the place, you will be relieved to know that you won't struggle to find a place to park: they have ample space outside. 
Stepping inside provides a welcome change from the run-of-the-mill budget restaurants. At the entrance, they have a counter with sweets on display and a small seating area. The main restaurant is spacious, with comfortable seating featuring upholstered furniture and generally adequate privacy. The ambiance is pleasant, with decent lighting and the walls feature paintings of a few traditional dance forms. We are pleased to report that the Tamilian staff were attentive and helpful


Suggested Reading: Not familiar with  South Indian food? We have just the right article to get you up to speed: South Indian Breakfasts!


Onion Rava Dosa

As usual, we ordered an onion rava dosa, with the usual instructions [telling them to make it crisp]. The onion rava dosa was as you would expect, no different from other places in the city. 
Onion Rava Dosa at Saravana Bhavan, Amrita Nagar.
It had the standard complement of spicy green chillies, onion, aromatic black pepper etc. On a positive note, it was reasonably crisp


Mushroom Masala Dosa

While browsing through the menu, we had to do a double take when this one came up. When we assured each other that our eyes weren’t messing with us, we proceeded to order it. 
Mushroom Masala Dosa at Saravana Bhavan, Amrita Nagar.
Sure enough, it was exactly as described: the standard-issue masala dosa with spiced potato, only this time also accompanied by button mushrooms…! Texturally, the dosa was not crisp but that may be expected thanks to the moisture in the mushroom and potato filling. Thankfully, the mushrooms were actually present in the dosa itself, not just in the name! It was a welcome change from a bog-standard masala dosa. Without the mushroom however, we could not find anything to help it stand out. 


Uzhunnu Vada

We were happy to receive a plate of uzhunnuvada that were at least lukewarm. 
Uzhunnu Vada at Saravana Bhavan, Amrita Nagar.
A quick bite revealed that they were soft and spongy. They featured the usual black pepper and onion but also added jeera [cumin], giving it a distinct flavour and an additional bite. 

The chutneys and sambhar were a mixed bag for us; spanning both ends of the spectrum. As such, we decided to summarize the accompaniments for the above dishes here:

Sambhar

We had high expectations for the sambhar as the place seemed to offer Tamil Nadu style/Chettinad food. Disappointingly, the sambhar was just average: it was not very tasty; being too light in texture and lacking its usually characteristic sweet and sour flavour. It lacked any resemblance with Tamil Nadu style sambhar.

Green chutney

The green coconut chutney was not mind-numbing spicy which was a good sign. It was reasonably dense too; putting it a spot above some other restaurants.

Garlic chutney

Also served was some white chutney. This was exceptionally good as it had a noticeable but not overpowering hint of garlic in it. In our opinion, it got the balance just right and we enjoyed it the most. 

While still not up to the mark of real Tamil Nadu dosas, we found a few [saprophytic!] nuggets in a clean, airy but otherwise ordinary joint serving good, if mostly common South Indian vegetarian food. We probably will not go out of our way to go there and grab a bite but certainly would not hesitate to drop in if we happened to be in the general vicinity.


Type of Cuisine: South Indian Vegetarian
Location


Opposite Atlanta Cafe and Restaurant, Amrita Nagar, SH66, Edappally


Parking: Lots of place right in front, should not be a problem.
Ambience: Good
Service: Good
What we liked/Recommended for:
  • Above average interiors for a veg. restaurant. 
  • Good chutneys. 
  • Ample parking space. 
  • Value for money. 
Potential Shortcomings:
  • Sambhar needs work.
  • Dosas are just alright, just not as great as one would expect. 
Taxes: Included in price, no fat tax applicable.
Phone Number: +91 484 280 2585
Timings: 09:00 - 21:40
Website: saravanabhavan.com

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Anjappar: Chettinad Cuisine Comes to Cochin!

Anjappar Restaurant Review

Anjappar is the most recent addition to the food scene at LuLu mall. With tempting Chettinad style cuisine on offer, the restaurant adds some new variety to what is available in the mall and even Kochi in general. Nestled in a cozy corner on the 2nd floor, Anjappar is isolated from the main shopping area & offers privacy in the midst of all the mayhem. Service is good and most of the staff are Tamilians.
We were seated in the area closer to the entrance, which has good seating capacity, with around 15 tables. There is also an inner seating area which happened to be closed at the time we visited, so we couldn't go there.

The decor consists of really rustic carved doors & wooden craftsmanship. Paintings depicting daily life scenes from Tamil Nadu's countryside adorn the walls. The ceiling has a sloped-roof effect typical of the inside of a traditional house, complete with woodwork which is really pretty to look at. It literally makes you feel like you walked into a house [with a lot of tables though!]. One of the other things that strike you is the attention to detail and quality in the tableware they utilize. The glasses are metallic and of a unique shape; akin to a standard tapered glass with a spherical area towards the bottom and had a petal shaped mat. The sauce/chutney holders are also of metal. Even the bill comes in a pretty little carved metal, velvet lined box. All these little points add a touch of class which is sorely missing in most places these days and is a welcome departure.

Fish Fingers

The fish fingers were accompanied by small bowl of garlic dipping sauce and were decorated with shredded red cabbage and a sprig of coriander. King fish was used, so they did not have any excessively strong fishy flavour which we liked. 
Fish Fingers at Anjappar, Edappally, Kochi.
The coating was fried to a nice medium brown colour and was satisfyingly crisp and crunchy. The fingers themselves were seasoned to perfection with the mild flavour of the garlic dip providing an extra boost in flavour. 

Chicken Pakoras

Chicken pakoras arrived on a plate adorned with a few raw onion rings and a sprig of parsley scattered on top. As the photo below would indicate, they were fried to a uniform golden brown colour. 
Chicken Pakora at Anjappar, Edappally, Kochi.
The pakoras were crisp & tasty with detectable shreds of chicken among the mild spices. We would however, like to mention that they were somewhat smaller than expected in terms of size.

Anjappar Special Chicken Curry

As main dishes, we decided to opt for Anjappar chicken curry, which can be either dry or with gravy. We opted for the latter. In terms of quantity, the curry was enough for 2 people [or one really hungry person!]. 
Chicken Curry at Anjappar, Edappally, Kochi.
It consisted of a dark brown, masala style gravy typical of a Chettinad style dish with a few whole spices like red chilly too. It was not excruciatingly hot and the typical Southern taste was notable

Karaikudi Kal Dosai

This dish was not unlike a set-dosa. It was thinner however, with a uniform thickness and lots of characteristic holes. 
Karaikudi Kal Dosai at Anjappar, Edappally, Kochi.
The dosa itself was mostly soft and had a slightly crisp outer layer. Served with lentil stew [read: sambhar], it makes for a tasty and reasonably healthy dinner or breakfast dish.

Virudhunagar Fried Parota

As its name suggests, this turned out to be a layered flatbread which was deep fried to a golden brown colour
Virudhnagar Fried Parota at Anjappar, Edappally, Kochi.
This item can be summarized in two words: crisp and oily
It was really crisp all over, almost like biting into a papad(om). To be honest, we do not know how this parota is actually supposed to be but we felt it was probably a bit too crisp, like it was fried for too long. Definitely not for the calorie conscious either as it was absolutely drenched in oil too; being a layered item it absorbs a lot. If you want something really crisp however, this would be your bet.

Kutralam Parotta

Highly comparable to the Kerala/Malabar Porotta, the Kutralam parotta was similarly soft and had layers. It differentiates itself a little in terms of texture, which was slightly stretchy thanks to all the gluten and required you to chew well. We unanimously felt that it was not as good as the regular Kerala porotta. It was good but just not distinct enough to differentiate itself from a good Malabar Porotta and we may give this one a pass next time.


To sum it all up, Anjappar offers pretty decent Chettinad items that you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else in Kochi. The quality of the food is good. Not to mention the unique ambiance and interesting table layout. We are happy to report that the prices [as of July 2017] were reasonable too and we came away feeling quite satiated. We feel it has potential and look forward to trying out new bits from the menu. Worth another visit for an experience that is out of this "state"! 


Type of Cuisine: Chettinad, South Indian non-vegetarian and vegetarian
Location


Second floor of LuLu Mall, Edapally.

Parking: Mall parking at LuLu [Chargeable] is fine except on very busy days and weekends when it may get full and you might have to wait to find a spot.
Ambience: Very Good: Discrete from rest of mall, good seating capacity, nice utensils, adequate spacing between tables, well lit. 
Service: Good.
What we liked/Recommended for:

  • Good variety of Chettinad food on offer. 
  • Reasonably well made dishes. 
  • Very good ambiance. 
  • Decent value. 
Potential Shortcomings:
Some items seemed more oily than needed; may not be much of a problem.
Taxes: Included in priceno fat tax applicable.
Phone Number: +91 484 272 8305
Timings: 11:00 - 23:00
Restaurant Website: https://www.anjappar.com/
On Zomato:
      Anjappar Chettinad Restaurant Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato


Have you tried out Chettinad food at Anjappar? Do share your experience in the comments below! 

Monday, March 20, 2017

Ifthar Restaurants: Let the Feast Begin!

Ifthar Restaurant Review

Muslims have incredible culinary skills and make some rather well known dishes characteristic of South India and Kerala. Their dishes constitute an important part of the traditional Kerala cuisine and have great variety too. Although the best 'Moplah' dishes may be served in their own houses, there are a few restaurants that do serve their cuisine. Ifthar is one such chain. On to the review now!
There are numerous branches of Ifthar all over Kochi. The one we visited was at Thoppumpady, after a trip to the Kochi Muziris Biennalle. It was a regular looking place with  moderate seating arrangements. Located at a busy junction, it had a good crowd. The ambiance is pretty average at best, being well lit but otherwise just ordinary.

The glass counter showcased all the items, which truly lived upto its name. There was a variety of traditional Muslim delicacies, making it difficult to limit our choice! After some deliberation, we settled for the following items: layered meat 'pathiri', kabsa, killikoodu, fried pathiri etc.

Chatti Pathiri [Steamed Savoury Rice and Chicken Cake]

The chatti pathiri is like a type of savoury cake which consists of rice pancakes layered with spiced meat filling which are then steamed together. This is then cut into wedges to be served, much like a pastry. The preparation is somewhat similar to lasagna except that it uses different ingredients and does not have cheese, nor is it baked. 'Chatti' actually means pot.
Layered Pathiri at Ifthar
It is steamed and thus, has a soft texture throughout. The meat is not particularly noticeable as it is finely shredded but the flavour is there.

Killikoodu [Scotch Egg]

The Killikoodu, which means 'bird's nest' comes with a spiced chicken mince outer covering that encompasses a quail egg. This whole thing is dipped in beaten egg and rolled in vermicelli.
'Killikoodu' i.e. birds nest, a type of Scotch Egg, at Ifthar
This is then fried till the vermicelli is crisp and brown, making it look like a weaver bird's nest. It is slightly spicy and is a textural treat with the crunchy vermicelli and soft egg and meat providing wonderful levels of contrast.

Fried Pathiri [Fried Flatbread]

The fried pathiri came garnished with a slice of carrot stuck onto it using a toothpick.
Fried Pathiri at Ifthar
Fried pathiri is made with rice dough rolled out rather thick and fried. This one was well made; with a crisp light brown layer on the outside and was soft on the inside.

Kabsa [Rice Dish with Chicken]

The kabsa however, was rather disappointing as some of us tried it for the first time and had a lot of expectations. It tasted like an overcooked pulao at best, with chicken pieces. My dad had tried it from a few other places and could confirm that the one served to us was really not up to the mark.


There were plenty of other snacks like puffs, beef, chicken or mutton fried items, rolls etc. A juice counter was also there with plenty of fresh juices on offer. They also had biryani, porotta, curries and other dishes. Prices were reasonable, targeting the normal population. Great place for experiencing local Muslim cuisine with good quality snacks and great variety.


Type of Cuisine: South Indian Muslim/Moplah Dishes
Location(s)


Opposite Chennatt Electricals, Thoppumbady.


Near Airtel Store, Edappally Toll, Edappally.


Parking: Few cars in front, should be sufficient.
Ambience: Average, adequate spacing between tables, well lit. Reasonably clean
Service: Good.
What we liked/Recommended for:

  • Well made Muslim delicacies. 
  • Good selection of items. 
  • Edappally branch open late into the night. 
  • Decent pricing.
Potential Shortcomings: 
Kabsa was disappointing that day. Unsure about cleanliness: Will update after next visit. 
Taxes: Included in priceno fat tax applicable.
Phone Number: +91 85898 71451 [Edappally Branch]
Timings: Edappally: 08:00 - 02:00 [Not a typo, 2:00AM the next day!], Thoppumbady: 08:00 - 23:00
On Zomato:
       Ifthar Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato



Have you had a feast at Ifthar? How was your experience? Tell us in the comments below!

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Sree Abhirami

Sree Abhirami Veg. Restaurant Review

A relatively new addition to the Kochi veg restaurant scene is Hotel Sree Abhirami. Located near the Indian Oil Petrol Pump/Gas Station at Koonamthai Edappally, it has a good parking area and is situated on the main road. We come here occasionally for dinner when we want to eat light and have something vegetarian. 
The restaurant is spacious, they have a good seating capacity with ac and non ac areas. The AC section has been full every time we went there at night, and we feel it possibly offers better service, as you will read below.  
Being a budget veg restaurant, the 'ambiance' is practically non existent; it is basically a 'sit, eat, leave' kind of place which is pretty crowded. Cleanliness was average in terms of drinking water served being a bit questionable, and the place in general was not as well kept as a few other places we have seen. 
They also have a sweets counter which offers a good selection of laddus, like rava laddu, gund laddu, besan laddu etc. and mysore pak, gulab jamuns, pedas, halwas and so on, for those who are interested
The menu mainly consists of South Indian dishes, but others like fried rice, biryani and even noodles etc. are also available. 


Suggested Reading: Not familiar with  South Indian food? We have just the right article to get you up to speed: South Indian Breakfasts!


Onion Rava Dosa
We ordered an onion rava roast telling them to make it crisp and well cooked. It came out crisp & not too oily as in most other restaurants. 
It contained onions, chopped green chillies, jeera etc. This was accompanied by sambar, mint chutney and a nice coconut chutney with a hint of garlic. 
Edit: Another time we ordered the Onion Rava Roast, the onion was still raw despite telling the waiter to make it crisp and well cooked. This leads us to believe they need to work on the consistency of their dishes. Coincidentally, this occurred when the AC section was full and we had to eat at the non-AC area, which could be a potential reason for the reduced quality/service, as much as it should not have happened. 
[Note: The vada seen in the photo is not included, it was ordered extra]

Masala Dosa
Their masala dosa was also accompanied by these items. 
Masala Dosa with vada on top at Sree Abhirami, Edappally
It had the usual potato filling and as you can see in the photo, the dosa was rather limp and not very crisp, though this could be expected. There were slightly chunky pieces of onion and the filling was bland; it was not seasoned well enough.
[Note: The vada seen in the photo is not included, it was ordered extra]

Butter Roast
The butter roast was also rather large, much larger than the plate it was served in and was nice because it was crisp and golden brown like it should be. 
Butter Roast Dosa at Sree Abhirami, Edappally
It was accompanied by the aforementioned sambhar, white and green chutneys. The taste was fine. 
[Note: The vada seen in the photo is not included, it was ordered extra]

Idli
The idlis [savoury rice cake] served here were nice and soft, reminiscent of what you would find in Tamil Nadu. 

Uthappam

On requesting, they made the uthappam [savoury rice pancake] slightly crisp as we like it. It was topped with chopped onion and chili. 

Uzhunnu Vada
Their uzhunnu vadas [savoury donut] were piping hot & very tasty. 
Uzhunnu Vada served on a Dosa at Sree Abhirami, Edappally
These are available even at night which is not the case with other places. They had chopped onion and green chilies distributed inside. 

Puris
The puris are also rated good, being golden and puffed like it should be. Served with the usual spiced potato gravy. 

Chapatis
They faltered here too: chappatis were undercooked as was evident with the dark colour it had underneath the surface. They need to work on this one.

Strangely, whenever we ask them for Mysore Masala Dosa which is on the menu, they simply tell us it is 'not available'. Once, twice heck, even three times is fine but they have kept saying the same excuse each and every time we have been here, and this is absolutely unacceptable. 

When the bill arrived we were amazed at how low the prices were. Sure, they have a lot to pick up on, we summarize our findings below: 

  • Certain menu items like the chapatis and the masala dosa need improvement
  • Mysore Masala Dosa either needs to be removed from the menu or made available for ordering.
  • Rava dosa should be a little more consistent and the onions well cooked unless mentioned 
  • Their service can be inconsistent, waiters need better training 
  • Drinking water is of questionable quality
  • General cleanliness could use a boost.

To sum it up, this is another vegetarian restaurant that serves decent food if you order the right thing [what we have suggested ordering above] and offers substantially good value for money. The ample parking area is a bonus and you should not have trouble finding a seat either. They are very strategically located, so if they iron out the above issues, they stand a chance to do well.

Type of Cuisine: South Indian Vegetarian
Location

Near Indian Oil Pump, Koonamthai, Edappally.

Parking: Lots of place right in front, should not be a problem.
Ambience: Average
Service: Ordinary
What we liked/Recommended for:

  • Ample parking space. 
  • Air conditioned area. 
  • Value for money. 
Potential Shortcomings:
Read bullets above. 
Taxes: Included in price, no fat tax applicable.
Phone Number: +91 95673 88735
Timings: 08:00 - 22:30
On Zomato:
      Hotel Sree Abhirami Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato


This review will be updated based on further experiences so stay tuned.


Have you been to Sree Abhirami? Tell us your experience in the comments below!

Friday, March 17, 2017

Udupi Bhavan

Udupi Bhavan Review

Searching for the elusive Mysore masala dosa which is our favourite and a must-have on every visit to Bangalore, we came across Udupi Bhavan; which is a restaurant on Kaloor-Kadavanthara road. It is a two storey building and claims to have typical South Indian fare like dosas, idlis, puris etc, to North Indian & Chinese(!) dishes too. We were most interested to see whether they could serve a mean Mysore masala dosa and stand up to its name, so did it? Read on to find out!

A flight of stairs leads up to a sweets counter & the entrance is to the right. The restaurant has good seating capacity & in spite of that, the tables were full, which of course is always a good sign. The place is neat, with attentive service.
We were hoping to get our favorite Mysore Masala Dosa and were thrilled to find that it was listed on the menu! so we wasted no time ordering it. 



Suggested Reading: Not familiar with  South Indian food? We have just the right article to get you up to speed: South Indian Breakfasts!

Mysore Masala Dosa

The traditional Mysore masala dosa is easily recognized by its thickness yet crisp and soft textures at the bottom and top respectively. The most defining characteristic is that a red chutney of red chili, chickpea and garlic must be spread on the suface of the dosa before adding the quintessential potato masala. That gives it a distinct taste which no other Kerala style masala dosa has. Now onto the dish served to us.
The Mysore masala dosa turned up, with a twist however. They added mint chutney instead of the typical red chutney which traditionally accompanies the Mysore masala dosa. It was not brown & crisp like it should be. We were slightly disappointed that we still had not found a place to enjoy an authentic Mysore Masala dosa but decided to give it a chance anyway. 
What a good decision that was.
The dosa itself was nothing particularly remarkable but the chutney inside was actually very tasty and even the spiced potato inside was perfectly cooked and well seasoned. We would say it is more akin to 'Mysore-style masala dosa' but who cares: on the whole, it tasted great and we look forward to trying this one again. This dosa is recommended if you have had masala dosas from every other restaurant in the city and wish to taste something slightly different from the rest. 


Uzhunu Vada

The uzhunu vadas [savoury donut] here were superb, being crisp and light as they should be. They are easily among the best we have had at any restaurant in the city. Worth mentioning is that their chutneys tasted great, being thick and tasty rather than watery in many restaurants.

We confronted (read: spoke to!) the person in charge there about the inaccuracies in the Mysore masala dosa, he knew exactly what we were talking about and admitted that it should use the red chutney as is traditional. We told him the food was otherwise 
good
Udupi Bhavan is good South Indian joint serving up delicious Udupi food and pretty budget friendly too, highly recommended. We hope to go back soon. 

Type of Cuisine: South Indian vegetarian, Udupi 

Location


Kadikkal Buildings, Kumaranashan Junction, Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road.


Parking: Few cars in front + dedicated parking lot. No problems here.
Ambience: Good, even for families unlike most similar restaurants. Well lit.
Service: Good
What we liked/Recommended for:

  • Good, tasty Udupi/vegetarian food. 
  • Quality chutneys unlike many veg restaurants in the city. 
  • Decent ambiance for a veg. restaurant. 
  • Parking area. 
  • Cleanliness.
Potential Shortcomings: 
Our quest for an authentic Mysore Masala dosa continues! The one here [though tasty] is not the way it is supposed to be. Will update this section after another visit. 
Taxes: Included in priceno fat tax applicable.
Phone Number: +91 94959 98199
Timings: 07:00 - 23:00


Have you been to Udupi Bhavan? Share your experience in the comments below!

Friday, August 21, 2015

Brindhavan: Quality Vegetarian Food!

Brindhavan Review

Brindhavan is a South Indian Restaurant serving pure vegetarian food, located at Palarivattom. Although it has been around for a while, they underwent a huge makeover a few years ago and now looks better than ever before. 
The interiors have a nice bright ambience to it and the service is normally quick, but the place is always crowded [a good indicator, of course]. They have a dedicated ground for parking as well. All these result in an extremely comfortable yet highly affordable vegetarian dining experience.
Like most veg restaurants in Kochi, this place also offers mostly South Indian food with a few standard-issue North dishes like Chhole Batura added in for measure. The South Indian food here is great, tasting really authentic and is always made fresh. The turnover is also very good too!
[EDIT: You are reading an updated review with more dishes and even better photos!]

Suggested Reading: Not familiar with  South Indian food? We have just the right article to get you up to speed: South Indian Breakfasts!


Rava Dosa [Semolina Crepes]

The dosas here are typical white and thin. They are nicely spread and taste good, being rather crisp too. It is served with Sāmbhar and chutney.
Rava Dosa at Brindhavan, Kochi.

The rava [semolina] dosas are especially good here, they have carrot and ground black pepper in the dosa batter itself and taste especially wonderful when you ask them to make it crisp! Since the batter is loose, it does not hold together that much leading to holes made by bubbles when it is being cooked. This is evident in the photo. You can see the edge of a stainless steel glass, this is commonly used to serve water instead of glass. Most times, the water has a light spice like cumin added to aid in digestion.

Puri Masala [Fried Wheatbread]

The puris here are very tasty, being served piping hot. Important to note is that the pooris themselves are made of proper wheat flour and not mixed with maida as some places do.
Puri Masala with Raita and Coconut Chutney at Brindhavan, Kochi.

 These are ordered as a plate, with each plate having three puris and the accompanying potato masala, onion raita as well as chutney, although the former two sides are the recommended combination.

Batura

While not exactly in the same league as the ones you may find in true North India, the chhole batura is also good here.
Channa/Chhole Batura at Brindhavan, Kochi.
 It is served with chickpea and a lovely onion dipped in vinegar and garnished with ‘tadka’ or seasoning of oil-roasted curry leaves and mustard seeds. Thus, it is not as pungent as freshly cut raw onion. The baturas are fried to a golden crispiness and the chhole is also well spiced. The onion adds additional flavour for those who are fond of adding it.

Uzhunnu Vada [Savoury Donut]

Uzhunnu Vadas are the South Indian version of a donut made with lentil batter instead of leavened dough. It is soft and fluffy on the inside and fried crispy on the outside.
Uzhunnu Vada at Brindhavan, Kochi.
The vadas here are exceptionally good, served hot and crispy. It comes as a plate, with each having two vadas, Sāmbhar and both: red and white coconut chutney. Keep in mind that it is usually only available in the morning, they seem to run out of it when we ask for it in the evenings.

Parippu Vada [Fried Lentil Patty]

This is another deep fried item that is made with coarsely ground lentils instead. The batter also has green chilli, onion curry leaves etc. to spice it up. It is crunchy throughout and slightly soft on the inside.

Brindavan also has really good sweets on offer too. The yellow laddu here is really good, fresh with sugar crystals adding a lovely crunch. They do not however have the ‘karpooram’ [camphor] flavour that you will find when you get laddus as ‘prasadam’ [offerings] from temples.

Valsan

Valsan wrapped in banana leaf at Brindhavan, Kochi.
This was something we had never seen before, so we felt the urge to try it. It turned out to be a bit like an ‘ada’ which is a sweet, steamed dumpling akin to a very large and sweet momo. It has a coating of rice flour and has a sweet filling made with brown jaggery, coconut, cashew and raisins. This is steamed in a banana leaf for extra flavour. It makes for a nice dessert and can even be a rather heavy snack. Above is how it looks with the leaf still on.
Valsan at Brindhavan, Kochi.
Another, this time after unwrapping. The white coating of rice flour has been colored by the rich filling inside!

So if you are looking for an affordable yet good vegetarian meal in a clean and well-lit restaurant, look no further.


Type of Cuisine: South Indian Vegetarian, Basic North Indian Vegetarian
Location

Kalavath Tower, Civil Lane, Palarivattom, Kochi.


Parking: Few cars in front + dedicated parking lot. No problems here.
Ambience: Good, even for families unlike most similar restaurants. Well lit, clean.
Service: Good
What we liked/Recommended for:

  • Very good South Indian vegetarian fare 
  • Family friendly 
  • AC/Non-AC options 
  • Decent quality sweetmeats. 
  • Usually quick service. 
  • Dedicated parking area. 
  • Clean.

Potential Shortcomings: 
Nothing to speak of.....!
Taxes: Included in price, no fat tax applicable.
Phone Number: +91 484 234 2239
Timings: 07:00 - 22:30
On Zomato:
      Brindhavan Vegetarian Restaurant Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato


Have you been to Brindhavan? Take the time to tell us what you had in the comments below!