Colonel's Food Discoveries: 2015

“Kochi Kitchen” @ The Marriott, Kochi

A Photo-essay by Lt Col D Purushothaman Pillay (Retd)

The elegant "Kochi Kitchen" at the Marriott, hosts some of the best lunches, one can go to in Kochi, these days. They are way ahead, of the many other pretenders, in this game. We were very privileged, to enjoy one such lunch, at this stylish, airy, copious and tastefully done up, lobby-level restaurant, just recently. Instead of devoting prose in the bland praise of the delectable fare that was on offer, I would much rather let my vivid pictures do all the talking, about that memorable lunch. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I was indeed very happy in having the privilege of wandering through this wonderland of gourmet cooking and taking these delightful photos. I have great pleasure in sharing them in this blog for the interested readers.

However, just for the record for the many who would like to know, I shall list out the various items which had come in the buffet, that included live pasta and pizza stations. The many delicacies that were carefully selected for the indulgence of the honoured guests by the brilliant Chef de Cuisine Akshay Pandit, included the following:-

Italian Dishes

Lasagne di verdure (Vegetable lasagna) & Lamb Stew (A lamb stewed in a tangy tomato sauce)

A Wholesome Cheese Board

Housing crispy Cheese Crackers, with Emmental, Cheddar, Brie & Gouda cheeses.

Salads

Tomato Bocconcini

Mesclun Greens

Spicy Babycorn with Roasted Eggplants & Olives

Marinated Zucchini with Tomato & Broccoli

Marinated Squids with French Beans & Cherry Tomato Confit

Roasted Chicken & Bell Pepper Salad

Grilled Beef with Baked Pumpkin

Soups

Murgh Adraki Shorba

Cream of Tomato Soup

Continental

Herb Roasted Potatoes Wedges

Roast Chicken

Biryanis

Vegetable Pulao

Malabari Chicken Biryani

North Indian Cuisine

Bhuna Gosht

Murgh Nihari

Kadhai Paneer

Hing Dhaniye ke Aloo

Soya Tamatar

Steamed Rice

Dal Panchmel

Kerala Cuisine

Beef Roast

Kerala Fish Curry

Avial

Cabbage Thoran

Pulissery

Kerala Red Rice

Sambar

Tandoor

Hariyali Paneer Tikka

Tandoori Murgh

Asian

Fish in Szechwan Chilli Sauce

Chicken in Black Pepper Sauce

Thai Vegetable Penang Curry

Vegetable Fried Rice

Stir Fried Hakka Noodles

Grills

Peppered Beef Steaks

Asian Grilled Chicken

Asian Sea Crabs

Fried Anchovies

Grilled Vegetables

Desserts

Chocolate Cake

Fresh Fruit Gateaux

Chocolate Pudding

Banoffee Pie

Creme Caramel

Cup Cakes

Baked Yogurt

Carrot Cake

Berry Tart

Mithai

Kala Jamun

Rabri

Rasgulla

Coconut Ladoo

Kesari Sandwich

Milk Burfi

Gajjar Ka Halwa

Kesar Phirni

To sum it up, the elaborate spread that was on offer was one fit for royalty. This lunch, commences every afternoon at 1230 pm and goes on until 1530 pm and a little longer, if one wanted to linger on. Patrons are often fabled to return to this modestly priced lunch, after experimenting with other such spreads elsewhere in Kochi. The visionary GM Vineet Mishra and his wonderful team need to be complimented for setting up one of the best diners in town. I would definitely recommend anyone who is keen on having themselves pampered with food to proceed to Kochi Kitchen, for they are bound to end up pleasantly satiated by the experience.