Trilogi, Crowne Plaza, Kochi.

Trilogi, Crowne Plaza, Kochi

Those beautiful, cylindrical, cream-textile, collapsible hanging lamps that provide warm glow-lighting to the inner space of the restaurant, is very inviting as it imparts both intimacy and an appealing warmth to the elegant environment.

Feature & Photos by Lt Col D Purushothaman Pillay (Retd)

The Most Elegant Restaurant Exclusively Serving Traditional Kerala Cuisine, In India!

Another beautiful view of the staggered stone pathway across the water leading up to the imposing brown stone arches.

The table is set! The Menu has been studiously compiled. Now what are you waiting for?

This Golden seating is both cosy and comfortable.

The tastefully designed 'Trilogi' at Crowne Plaza, Kochi, is an elegant contemporary space created as a speciality restaurant to showcase, three distinct variants of the delicious cuisine of Kerala, having its origins in the Kochi, Malabar and Travancore regions. The varying international influences, on account of a chequered history of interaction with the Arabs, Portuguese, British, French and Chinese, traders and rulers, had each left its indelible imprint on the local culture. This also included, culinary inflections of these new synergies gradually penetrating the local palate and over time getting absorbed into the traditions of the local gastronomy. ’ Trilogi’ under the astute and dynamic leadership of General Manager Mr Sanjay Kaushik, is seeking to highlight and celebrate these very historical transformations, in that diacritic menu the innovative Crowne Plaza - Kochi team has thoughtfully put together, for their valued guests to enjoy a gastronomic experience that mapped the multiple culinary evolutions that transcended time. 

This beautiful sight awaits the diners sitting alongside the water.

The Trilogi setting imbues a sophisticated opulence in its warm ambience and accompanying intimate seated privacy. The show kitchen has an open galley which is complete with a brick gas-fired oven. There are multiple live stations accommodated in the abundant scullery space available.

This open brick oven adds character to the galley and lends a warm flickering incandescence to the setting when it is lit.

The Fork & Knife in a huddle getting ready for the task ahead.

Come lets eat! Waiter!!

The charming warm reflections of the collapsible cream overhanging lamps on the glass table.

The staggered stone-path cutting across the outer no-airconditioned section of the restaurant for diners who prefer fresh air and a dose of nicotine.

Another internal section of seating for six away from the vista.

The infinitely talented, scholarly and reclusive Chef Rajeev Menon has created a dining experience worth savouring. He is a professional mastercraftsman with food, who is spot on with his flavours.

The meticulous and knowledgeable Executive Chef Rajeev Menon's well thought out selection of signature coastal dishes in the 'Thani Nadan' menu at the restaurant, is representative of the best that Kerala has to offer in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food from the three regions. Each course has an innate simplicity that is uncomplicated, leaving the taste buds to capture the subtle nuances of the local flavours that has been inventively recreated by his talented team, sticking to the original secrets of the grandma's recipe. This mouth-watering culinary adventure at 'Trilogi' has the potential to take the traditional food experience, to a level that inspires awe, when it is coupled with that legendary faultless and attentive service the culinary team always provides its patrons at the Crowne Plaza, Kochi.

No worries! There is enough water at hand, just in case the Kerala spices get a bit 'too hot" to handle.

A rich selection of cocktails, mocktails, beer, wine and a selection of spirits that pair well with the food is available to be served along with the meal. However, the only pitiable lament is that this restaurant is open every night only for dinner service between 7 PM and 11 PM it therefore robs the diner of the opportunity to experience the tranquillity of its serene daytime views, which are quite literally breathtaking, with the subtle interplay of stone, water, foliage and the firmament. I am sharing a few unseen views of this restaurant during the daytime.

The staggered stone steps in a bed of white pebbles leading up to the brown stone arch across the water.

The lush greenery on view is a truly delightful sight, suffusing the environment with lot of life.

The fresh air seating option of the restaurant is set amid a fascinating mix of stones and greenery.

The vegetation is exotic and enlivening.

A multi-stone bridge over serene waters. A calming sight to look out to for inner tranquility.

The cavernous expanse and spacing affords both intimacy and privacy to all the individual tables.

The distinctive ebony-stained floor has a healthy sheen that adds another glow to the setting, besides affording that uncommon characteristic clatter of footfalls as it happens, adding an auditory dimension to the experience.

Plants here there and everywhere makes the place come alive visually.

Just in case, someone wants to savour a change in taste, these Continental delights can be made available on demand, as well.

Beer is a very popular beverage with most guests.

The stacked plates waiting to be filled with delicacies for your gastronomic pleasure. Bon Appetit!!

Water close at hand, just in case!

Executive Chef Rajeev Menon makes it a point to interact with the guests for their valuable feedback and also to ensure each and every one carries home a memorable dining experience.

‘Trilogi', must certainly rank as the most exclusive ‘One Stop Shop’ in India, to experience the secrets of Grandma’s recipes and unravel the magic of traditional Kerala Cuisine. For me personally, it certainly feels like the one place a genuine lover of Malayali delicacies, should never miss.

There is a fabulous selection of drinks that pairs very well with the food being served.

Bon Appetit!!



Trilogi

Crowne Plaza,

Kundanoor Junction,

NH-47 Bypass,

Maradu,

Kochi.

Reservations Call - 0484- 2865000

For guests who prefer lounge seating there is a thoughtful provision for that as well. The same is tucked away in a cosy corner of the entry area.

Wow! Momo

Wow! Momo

A Momoteria with Many Choices!

By Lt Col (Retd) D Purushothaman Pillay

"Momo" is a stuffed dumpling, which is a traditional delicacy of the Tibetan and Nepalese cuisine.  They are very popular in the frontier regions of Bhutan, and the Himalayan borders of India including Sikkim, Leh-Ladakh, Darjeeling, Arunachal Pradesh and any other location with a significant Nepalese Diaspora, like Delhi, Assam, Shillong, West Bengal etc. It is similar to the Chinese 'Baozi' & 'Jiaozi', the Mongolian 'Buuz' or the Japanese 'Gyoza' steamed buns.

“Wow! Momo”, is a rapidly growing brand of Quick Service Restaurants that was born in Kolkata. It is an awe-inspiring, five year old success story, starring two, still in their 20s, enterprising, 'Non-MBA', commerce graduates from St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, named Sagar J Daryani and Binod Kumar Homagai.

In Aug 2008, with a borrowed capital of Rs Twenty Thousand from Daryani's father, and the fortuitous arrival of an expert Momo cook from Homagai's hometown in Nepal, these two 22 year olds, established their first outlet, at a 36 sq ft kiosk at Spencer's, in Tollygunge, Kolkata. That venture, has since grown, to become the first Pan-Indian branded Momo chain, under the active mentoring, funding and venture support of primarily, The IndUS Entrepreneurs (TiE) and Indian Angel Networks (IAN) among others. These two visionaries must be acclaimed for their foresight and credited for making the humble street food - 'Momo' into a winning business proposition. By September 2011, the brand attained a whopping turnover of Rs 2.4 Crore, from a chain that had expanded to more than 25 outlets.

The first couple of years were invested in the hard work, of perfecting the production, distribution and operations front. This phase also witnessed a double digit proliferation of outlets in Kolkata. Thereafter in 2011, enriched with the precious lessons of the Kolkata experience, expansion and consolidation, these industrious and ambitious entrepreneurs, felt adequately equipped and encouraged, to venture out into newer markets. The brand 'Wow! Momo', first moved out to Bangalore, and then further onto Pune, thereafter it quickly added Chennai and Coimbatore, to its growing network of cities. Now courtesy two enthusiastic foodies, Haris and Rizwan Ali of M/s Sulfyaz, the first Wow!Momo outlet in Kochi, was successfully started a few months back, in the Food Court, at the Lulu Mall.

The expansion to newer geographies made experimentation a necessity. Their Momos evolved into different shapes and styles, and introduced newer fillings, over time, including Prawn, Pomfret, Chicken & Cheese, Chicken & Capsicum, Paneer, Corn-Spinach and Mushroom.

In the Kochi outlet, one is offered the option of 9 different types of fillings. It is further sub-divided into 5 non-vegetarian options, that includes Chicken, Fish, Chicken Capsicum, Prawn and Chicken Schezwan Momos and 4 vegetarian options, that includes Veggie, Paneer, Mushroom and Corn-Spring Onion Momos.

These are always served with 2 distinct types of sauces, ‘The Red Chili Dip’ a flaming hot sauce and another sauce with an Indian twist ‘The Green Coriander Dip’.

The Momos are presented in a staggering 6 different forms, namely - Steamed, Fried, Pan Fried (With a further 2 variants i.e. Schezwan Sauce and Tomato Garlic Sauce), Sizzler Momos, Momo Burgers (Momburg) and Dessert Chocolate Momos.

 

A serving or plate denotes a total of 5 number of Momos. The per plate pricing of various types of Non-Veg Momos are between Rs 95-110 for Steamed, Rs 105-120 for Fried & Rs 115-135 for Pan Fried ones.

The per plate pricing of various types of Veg Momos are between Rs 80-95 for Steamed, Rs 90-105 for Fried & Rs 100-120 for Pan Fried ones.

Other than the Momos one also has the option of trying out two variants of Thukpas, a kind of mildly flavored soup with noodles, vegetables and optionally meat. They are substantial and quite filling. Chicken Thukpa is priced only at Rs 95 a bowl and the Vegetable Thupka is Rs 90. My word, this warm broth, is a special treat for the palate, that serves as a perfect briny, appetising fluid that lends a welcome warmth to the gullet, in this blustery, cool, rainy monsoon weather.

The Sizzler Momos are priced between Rs 175-205.

The Momo Burger (Moburg) is priced Rs 45 for Veg and Rs 55 for Chicken.

The very innovative, melt in the mouth, dessert Chocolate Momo costs Rs 40/Momo or Rs 120/Platter of 4 Momos.

In addition to the above there are value options at Rs 145-155 for a Momo+Thukpa+Pepsi or a Rs 165-175 Momo+Thukpa+Moburg+Pepsi. There are other mini-value, flexi-combos priced between Rs 25-55 to choose from.

This 11 AM to 11 PM snacking option, is comparitively modestly priced and with the accompanying wow-flexi deals, is a good value for money offering, when compared to the other less exciting and pricier choices the Food Court currently affords. The momos we tried were all very tasty and well stuffed, cooked and presented, except for the Prawn Momos which we occasioned to have, they were grossly under stuffed and hardly had any prawns. Be warned that, that there are no credit cards accepted and no home deliveries yet. However, the service was prompt and efficient and the staff courteous and helpful. One other pertinent observation made, was that this outlet, was most certainly much neater and more hygienic, than all the other Momo joints that we had eaten in, elsewhere in town. We all quite enjoyed our experience and would certainly return for a quick bite, in our future forays into Lulu Mall. The energy and the bustle, in the common seating area must have also contributed to our feeling of pleasurable satisfaction.

Thanks to Wow! Momo, if one hasnt tried Tibetan Momos as yet, one can sample this new cuisine, without having to travel out of town or having to hunt out nondescript, hole in the wall joints, trudging through dusty by-lanes, map in hand. One can now also enjoy different variants of this wonder dumpling, in the comfort of an airconditioned mall, in our very own Kochi!

Wow! Momo

Food Court, Third Floor,

Lulu Mall, Kochi

Contact Person - Owner Haris B.B. or Store Manager Sameer – 09746586365

Email - info@wowmomo.co.in

Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wow-Momo/165456736798479

Website - http://www.wowmomo.co.in/

National Head Office:-

Yo Foods India

29A/2E/1, Near Sulekha More, Loknath Mandir, Raja S.C. Mullick Road. Jadavpur University, Kolkata - 700032

Landline - 033-24292473

Mobile   - +91-9432649983

Sunsets & Cloudy Skies!

The Sun, Clouds & Skies
By - Lt Col (Retd) D Purushothaman Pillay

Each sky shot at sunset is a unique creation of God, splurging that sky canvas with the beauty of nature, that sunset ends on the day,  and can never occur again. It is that one moment of ethereal beauty, if captured on camera, will remain with you to show others; else it will be a special memory, only yours forever in your soul, which can never be physically shared. Here are some of those beautiful cloudy sunset skies, both grey ones and crimson orange ones and clear beach sunsets, I was fortunately privileged to capture, at the spur of the moment, on my handy Galaxy Note phone camera over the past few months, around Kochi & Kannur, composed for you, as a photogrid. Sharing a lot many of them for your viewing pleasure! Hope you enjoy some of them. I just loved witnessing them, in between capturing a bit of it to share later. They were indeed special 'Thank You God' moments; I shall relish for eternity, with great gratitude!

The New Original Italian Gelato Place On MG Road Kochi.

The Original Italian Gelaterie - 'Milano'

By - Lt Col (Retd) D Purushothaman Pillay

Kochi, now officially boasts of an authentic Italian gelaterie; opened on 21 Dec 2012, owned by Giancarlo Segalini; this stand alone Produzione Propria (homemade - own production) in Ravipuram, MG Road, opposite the Tanishq showroom, is called - 'Milano'.

It was very fascinating to hear the story of how gelatai - Signor Segalini, who hails from a renowned family of Italian ice cream makers, who do business in the German trade fair centre of Dusseldorf, set up his shop in Kochi. It was during his visit in April of 2012, on a brief vacation, while accompanying his businesswoman wife Sara who regularly comes to Cherthala for sourcing her coir import, that he sensed an opportunity to start his business in India, that too in Kochi. He soon came back in August itself, with firm business plans and even enthused his celebrated Milano based designer friend, the famed Paolo Zani to tastefully design the interiors of this modest place he had hired to launch his new venture on MG Road. I must admit this new place has a definite aura of sophisticated elegance to it in every aspect, like the furniture design, product display, wall decor and lighting. Voila! In four months flat he has established this wonderful new place to go, for our fill of the best ice creams money can buy in Kochi.

Gelato derived from the Latin word for frozen - 'gelatus' is the Italian word for - ice cream. It is basically a soft ice cream made with whole milk, cream, eggs, sugars infused with a mix of flavoring of fruit and nut purees. The 59 year old veteran Parma-born and based Italian Gelato Maestro - Maurizio, brings the authentic tastes of Italy to life here using the very best Telme-  ice cream machines, for leavening, mixing, regenerating, maintaining, tempering, pasteurizing and shock freezing the mixtures. This master ice cream maker, with 40 years international experience, in such diverse places like China and Japan, presents 20 distinct mouth-watering flavors of gelato. The exotic flavors being served here are listed below:-

1.   Passion Fruit

2.   Pistachio

3.   Raisins

4.   Coconut

5.   Cherry

6.   Hazelnut

7.   Milk & Strawberry

8.   Fruits of the Forest

9.   Chocolate

10.  White Chocolate

11.  Chocolate Orange

12.  Pineapple Sorbetto

13.  Raspberry Sorbetto

14.  Strawberry Sorbetto

15.  Coffee

16.  Crunch

17.  Vanilla

18.  Ferrero Rocher

19.  Italian Tiramisu

20.  Italian Butterscotch

The above choice of gelatos are served at the shop in 100g cones priced at Rs 50, and also in small 100g, medium 150g and large 200g cups priced at Rs 50/80/100 respectively. There is also the option of having fresh whipped cream on top (Panna) at an extra charge of Rs 20.

In addition to the above cups and cones options, one can choose to have a 'Frappe' - a kind of milkshake in Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry and Banana flavours at Rs 80. Two other variants on offer are the 'Spagnola' - which is Vanilla Gelato with Amarena Cherry and whipped cream and the 'Affogato al Caffe' which is again a Vanilla Gelato with Espresso and whipped cream. Both are priced at Rs 100. Ice Cream Cakes are available at Rs 700 per kg. All the above prices are inclusive of all taxes. At these rates, which are an absolute steal - "Go Italian" - why should anyone now go for anything less. This place is open from 11 in the morning to midnight all seven days a week.

If you haven't yet been to this place, it is high time you rushed to savor these frozen luscious, delectable, delicacies in cream.

Address :

Milano Ice Cream,

Opposite Tanishq Showroom, Near Saraf Hospital,

MG Road, Ravipuram,

Kochi - 682016

Phone : 0484-3911137

Mob Mr G Segalini : +91-8281464593

Website : www.milanoicecream.com