Savouring biryani, the Malabar way

Tasty

“One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating,” was how Italian Operatic Tenor Luciano Pavarotti felt about gorging on food.

‘Eat and Drink’, a restaurant in a nondescript building on SJCE Road in Telecom Layout, is one such place where you can devote your attention completely on eating delicious food of the Malabar region of Kerala. Even though, the restaurant doesn’t boast of a large seating arrangement, the number of customers visiting is never ending.

Open from 8 am to 10.30 pm, the most sought after delicacy at ‘Eat and Drink’ is the famed ‘Malabar Biryani’ also known as the ‘Kozhikode  Biryani’.

While Biryani’s prepared across the country such as  Hyderabadi Biryani are known to be quite spicy, the ‘Malabar Biryani’ is quite different. The rice used to prepare the Biryani is mixed with ghee to produce a rich flavour and is perfect for Biryani lovers who don’t have the stomach for spicy food.

Apart from the ‘Malabar Biryani’, the restaurant also offers ‘Kerala parotas’ and chapathis. Egg curry, Black Channa and Ghee Rice are also available to satisfy a hungry stomach.

This restaurant also serves the ‘Kattan Chai (Black tea)’ -- made truly the desi way -- lemon tea and a whole array of fresh fruit juices to parched throats.

While biryani is served for lunch and dinner, ‘puri’ and traditional Malayali breakfast of steamed ground rice with layers of coconut known as ‘Puttu’ is also dished out in the morning.

Started by Shameem and Rasheed, both hailing from the coastal town of Kozhikode, the restaurant began functioning in January 2010.

Having worked as drivers in a catering business in Dubai, Shameem and Rasheed had visited Mysore to provide treatment for their children at the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH).

As they had to continue their stay so that their children could get treated at AIISH, the duo thought of starting a restaurant as a large number of Malyalees were found in the areas surrounding AIISH.

Students from Regional Institute of Education, SJCE, University of Mysore are regulars.

While a full plate of chicken Biryani costs Rs 50, half plate costs an affordable Rs 30.

Chicken Curry is offered at Rs 25 and a plate of parota is available at Rs 22.