District 7 Encore, Kadavanthra, Kochi

District 7 Encore: Where Food Becomes a Memory

There are restaurants we visit for a meal, and there are places that quietly become part of our lives. District 7 Encore in Jawahar Nagar, Kadavanthra, belongs to the second kind. We have been returning here for over four years, drawn by its ability to move effortlessly between Asian, Continental, seafood and inventive fusion cuisine. The District 7 journey began in 2014 as a food truck in Panampilly Nagar before growing into a café and eventually Encore. 

At the heart of that journey are Smisha, Shiv and Aneesh, whose entrepreneurial spirit is matched by an appetite for experimentation. They did not simply create another restaurant; they created a culinary playground where curiosity is encouraged. Their willingness to evolve and keep pushing flavours forward has given District 7 a personality of its own.

The Jawahar Nagar location adds to the charm. Set amid leafy, relatively tranquil surroundings, Encore feels removed from the city's bustle. The warm, stylish avant-garde interiors creates an intimate, cinematic atmosphere, while outdoor spaces bring in the cool evening air. It is hardly surprising that such a photogenic setting has also attracted many Malayalam film shoots. The restaurant is currently located at Ozone Avenue, Kadavanthra.

The menu is where District 7 truly finds its voice. Asian heat meets European technique, Indian chillies meet Italian pasta, and familiar ingredients return in unfamiliar combinations. This experimental spirit of fusion keeps the menu exciting and gives repeat diners something new to discover. 

Tonight's meal was a little festival of that philosophy. The Smoked Tri-Pepper Chicken arrived beautifully charred, its smoky crust meeting the sweetness of roasted bell-pepper and red-wine purée, while nut crumble added delicate crunch.

The Broccoli Cheese Soup was silky and comforting, with broccoli, cheddar, sour cream, coriander, cracked pepper and nut crumble creating layers of creaminess, freshness and texture.

The Kanthari Crème Pasta was the boldest conversation on the plate: tender chicken and my choice of penne pasta enveloped in creamy kanthari-chilli sauce, lifted by garlic, herbs and Parmesan. Fiery, silky and savoury, it was fusion with confidence.

Then came the magnificent Marry Me Chicken: sous-vide chicken thighs, buttered mushrooms and sundried tomato folded into a luxurious white-wine, bouillon and cream sauce, with pasta and chilli-garlic aioli adding another layer. Every element complemented the next. This has been a consistent favourite of my son Divakaran, he has been ordering this for the fourth time today.

The Guava Litchi Chiller brought a refreshing fruity pause, while the Fudge Royale Brownie closed the evening with dense chocolate indulgence.

Vaishnav deserves special mention for attentive, unobtrusive service, while Albin, the Manager, ensured everything moved with quiet efficiency. The aesthetic appeal of the food that gets presented for the diner has always been exceptional, together with their impeccable attention, a guest feels pampered, and always leaves feeling special.

District 7 Encore always gets the equation right: great food, thoughtful service and a memorable environment simply transforms a meal into an occasion. Food is a beautiful metaphor for living: flavours meet, an uncommon contrast, with an unexpected surprise, and that becomes a special memory. The best dining places do exactly that. They stay with you long after the last plate leaves the table. Thank you team District 7 for creating experiences we cherish every time we visit you.