Showing posts with label restaurants in Kochin. Show all posts

Trilogi, Crowne Plaza Kochin | Kuttanadan food festival

The mordern day Indian has developed a evolved taste in food owing to the exposure and influx of international cuisine. They are often seen enjoying delectable food from different cuisines and malayalis are no way behind in the same. The mordern lifestyle has opened up so many avenues, that at times we tend to forget or overlook our own rich and vibrant cuisine.
When I think of kerala cuisine what prominently fills my mind is the goodness of local food, with spicy masala's, an array of vegetables and meat, the aroma of coconut oil, creamy coconut milk and tasty chutneys or rather chamanthi.
The Kuttanadan festival at Trilogi in Crowne Plaza, Kochin is welcoming food lovers to the gastronomic delights of kerala particularly Kuttanad, with it’s Kuttanadan Food Festival.
Though I’m a native of Kerala, I’m not fully aware of Kuttanadan cuisine and the only thing that came to my mind was the song “kuttanadan Kayillile’. However, my parents were more than willing to throw light on the Kuttanadan way of life and more importantly their cuisine.
The lifestyle in Kuttanad mainly revolves around farming and hence the cuisine has to be one which provides them with enough energy and one that doesn’t make them lethargic. Chef Rejimon, South Indian Master Chef at Trilogy whose family hails from Kuttanad says that the food is supposed to make the people happy. Its purpose to fill the diner with joy and make them forget the hardships of the day.
The Kuttanadan Buffet at Trilogy makes for a hearty dining experience from August 25th to 31st.








As you walk towards Trilogi, you are welcomed with a glimpse of Kuttanad with a thatched roof entarnce and a cycle. As soon as you walk into the visiting area, you see a miniature boat with groceries on it. Props like fishnet, utensils (Ammi Kallu, Bharni etc) give the guests a lively experience.
The soft lights and muted interiors provide a sense of comfort and privacy. Folk music that was playing throughout bought a sense of connect with the food festival.
We started off with soup and were torn between Drumstick soup and Seafood in coconut soup. If you know my love for seafood, then you would know what I chose. The Seafood soup was rich and creamy, and had ample bite sized crab portions. The soup heightened my expectations for what was to follow.



What caught my attention was the amazing spread of Chammanthi. There was all you could imagine - chutneys made of coconut, mango, prawn, ginger and shallots. Some of these can be stored for a few days without adding any artificial preservatives.

Right next to the chamanti section was a spread of pachadi’s ready to be savoured.

Appetisers included karimeen fry, pallathi fry and natholiu fry, marinated and deep fried in coconut oil. All the sea food included in the menu are puzhameen (fish found in canals/rivers) along with few munchies.



Moving on to the main course, the usual suspects are in attendance: River fishes and duck (duck roast and duck eggs) that is essential for a Kuttanadan life. Karimeen pattichadu (pearl spot fish), kunju theyyal (prawns), beef perattiyadu,koonthal peera (squid), live station for pidierachi (rice dumplings in chicken gravy), matta rice served in a pot, kadachakka, mix of roots – kappa (tapioca), chembu (colocasia), chena (yam), and kachil (purple yam), pineapple pulissery, & green peas masala. Along with them, there were also appam and tattudosa (my favorites).


The dishes were rich and filling and a testament to what can be achieved by local cuisine.
Any meal is incomplete without dessert and what followed for dessert was equally surprising. The desert section was spread out with the following – vatteappam, kuzhalappam, achappam, white and black ellunda, sharkara vayati and gothambu payasam (broken wheat payasam). The desserts were a welcome change from the usual mousse and tarts. I tried the thick and creamy Gothambu payasam and ellunda.





After a meal filled with elements of the best provided by the State, one cannot help but feel grateful to have experienced a culinary tradition so closely linked to the land that inspired it.

The food festival is being spearheaded by Master Chef Rejimon who hails from Kuttanad. The buffet is priced at INR 995 + tax per person.




Contact:

Trilogi, Crowne Plaza Kochin
Location:  Lobby Level, Crowne Plaza Kochi, Kundanoor Junction, Maradu, Marad, Kochi
Timings – 7 PM to 11:00 PM
Cost: INR 1,600 for two
Reserve your table at: 0484 2865000

I was invited to Trilogi and all views and images are © Urbanmodish, unless stated otherwise.


Have you been following Crowne Plaza, Kochin yet in social media? Like their page on Facebook and Twitter  too. Even better get all the details on their website too!


Trilogi - Crowne Plaza Kochi Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato