For lakhs of Mumbai’s Malayalis, the one-stop destination for delicious Onam feast seems to be Lalit Refreshment’s ‘Taste of Kerala.’ Located in Pitha Street, near Citi Bank in Fort, the restaurant, which is well-known for its Kerala recipes, has this year, roped in 18 special cooks from Kerala to prepare the ‘Onasadhya’ (Onam feast) for its customers.
According to manager Abdul Subair, “We are expecting more than 2,000 people as we have called special traditional cooks from Kerala. We will be serving 31 items for our customers including Tairu Pachchadi, Mathan Puli Pachchadi, Kootu kari, Kalan, Olan, Aviyal, Thoram Kabej, Mix Thoran, Sambhar, Rasam, Pappads big and small, Achar Naranga, Achar Manga, Dal, Nei, Inchchi Kari, Inchchi Puli, Moru, Kondattam Molaku, Ishtu, Elisseri, Sarkara Upperi, Varutha Kaya, Upperi, Pazham, Uppu, Nadan Choru and Cheriya Choru. However, Adapradhaman and Palpayasam have always remained favourites. All the food will be served on plantain leaf.”
He further added that none of the usual cooks of the restaurant will be handling the kitchen of the restaurant on Friday. “The kitchen will be completely handled by these 18 special cooks only. This is to give our customers a feel of being in Kerala. Our customers are Malayalis as well as non-Malayalees. During Onam festival, people in Mumbai crave for special Onasadhya. This is just an attempt to bridge that gap! Our customers on Friday will be welcomed with ‘Pookalam’ (floral designs) and plantain decorations at our main entrance,” said Subair.