Around My Kochi With Colonel!: mcdonalds

Tuesday, 19 March 2013

Fresh Seafood Stall At Lulu Hypermarket, Kochi

Seafood Stall - Lulu Hypermarket, Kochi

A Grand Selection of Seafood!

By - Lt Col (Retd) D Purushothaman Pillay

The Lulu Hypermarket, Kochi, nestles within its inner recesses - almost like a secret treasure trove - an exclusive Seafood Stall. Here on display, is a great medley of native and peregrine varietals of the edible aquatic species. This Seafood extravaganza, is adjoining the Butchery section, that I had reviewed earlier. It is a sprawling exhibition, with a wide array of selection. For once, I can safely say, one is really spoilt for choice. I love the color coding 'Red' for meats and 'Blue' for the fish. One gets to choose from a wide and exotic variety of fish here. I have seen some of the best and freshest cuts of fish, which could drive even an ardent ichthyomaniac, crazy.

Blue Scampi.

Jesh Rs 250/-

Kilimeen

White Snapper, Little Tuna, Udupuri & Red Snapper.

There were all manner of fish, saltwater and freshwater, wild and farmed, finfish and shellfish, fresh and frozen. We have a great variety of finfish starting from the famous Pelagic Scombridae or (Mackerel family) Seer Fish locally called the 'Neymeen/Aiykoora', Golden Threadfin Bream-'Kilimeen', Cartilaginous Sharks-'Shraavu', Pearl Spot-'Kari Meen', Pomfret-'Avoli', Mackerel-'Ayela', Anchovies-'Netholi', Yellowfin Tuna-'Choora', Predatory Barracuda, Clupeidae like Sardines & Hilsa, Cods, Red Snapper etc. Then comes the Shellfish like the Cephalopods - Squids & Octopus; Molluscs - Clams, Scallops, Mussels & Oysters and Crustaceans - Crabs, Lobsters, Prawns & Shrimp.

King Fish.

Neymeen.

Barracuda.

Sea & Mud Crab, Squid and Prawns.

Mullan, Squid and Prawns.

Green Mussel in Shell and Crabs.

There is freshness stamped all over them. These fish are sold in an assortment of types; like 'uncut' whole fish, 'drawn' fish from which the internal organs are removed, 'dressed' or pan-dressed, fillets, steaks, frozen sticks, chunks, 'fish cakes' that are prepared with potatoes and coated with batter, 'marinated' with Indian fish masala, 'breaded' ready to cook 'party snacks' and 'dried'.

Shark and Tuna.

Cut Yellowfin Tuna.

Cut Shark peices.

Clam Meat, Mussel Meat & Tiny Prawns.

The rates are seasonal, and like that of other commodities, keep fluctuating on a daily basis, dependent on the demand and supply. It would be wise to note that, close to major festivals the prices generally tend to abnormally rise, to cash in on the rush. The rates of the opening weekend are mentioned in this review.

There were some inaugural offers on Black Pomfret at Rs 450, Pearl Spot -Rs 300, Kingfish Small -Rs 380 & Blue Scampi for Rs 500. The rates for the other fish were, White Snapper -Rs 281.25, Red Snapper -Rs 300, Dolphin -Rs 168.75, Reef Cod -Rs 375, Shark -Rs 280, Barracuda -Rs 200, Milk Fish -Rs 225, Emperor Fish -Rs 250, Yellowfin Tuna -Rs 200, Little Tuna -Rs 187.50, Jesh -Rs 250, Rohu Rs 200, Kilimeen -Rs 187, Nathel -Rs 137.50, Udupori -Rs 150, Mullan Medium -Rs 112.50, Mullan Small -Rs 100, Sea Crab -Rs 225, Mud Crab -Rs 375, White Squid Whole -Rs 325, Baby Octopus -Rs 100, White Prawns -Rs 437.50, Black Tiger Prawns Big -Rs 650, Black Tiger Prawns Medium -Rs 625, Green Mussel with Shell -Rs 62.50 and Mussel Meat -Rs 218.75.

Black Pomfret & White Snapper.

Waiting to be cut.

Fresh Fish.

Black Tiger Prawns.

The freezers also have abundant stock of drawn & cleaned, pre-packaged Clam Meat, Mussel Meat, White Fish, Sole Fish, Needle Fish, Smoked Salmon Fillets @ Rs 625, King Fish Steak Large @ Rs 110 etc.

Seer Fish Steaks.

Sole Fish.

Clam Meat.

Mussel Meat.

There were some marinated Shrimps, King Fish, White and Black Pomfrets, Karimeen etc, which just needs to be pan fried to consume.

Marinated Shrimps & Seer Fish.

Marinated Seer Fish Steaks, Salmon Fillets & Marinated Karimeen.

Marinated Black Pomfret.

Dried fish mainly Mackerel and Headless-Prawns among others, were also seen in the lower levels of the freezers.

Dried Ayela.

Dried Fish.

There were some amazing ready to cook, party snacks from the Kochi-based IFL's Sumeru brand of -Fish Finger packets @ Rs 110 for 10 nos & Breaded Fish Fillets packets of 6 Nos. The Ratnagiri-based, Surimi-analogue products from Gadre Marine Exports -Seafood Samosas, 'Jus-Like Crab' -Crab Claws & Crab Sticks @ Rs 135 for 250 gms or Rs 540/Kg and 'Jus-Like Lobster' Bites @ Rs 135 for 300 gms or Rs 450/Kg.

Sumeru Fish Fingers & Breaded Fish Fillets.

Gadre - Jus-Like Crab.

Gadre - Jus-Like Lobster & Seafood Samosa.

A wall was dedicated to a range of frozen products like Sumeru's -Small, Medium and Large Prawns, Raw Fish Fillet, Prime and Jumbo Steaks of Seer Fish. There are also a lot of frozen goodies from another Kochi-based Seafood Giant, the Amalgam Group's -Keya brand, like Small, Medium, Large, Jumbo & Super Jumbo Prawns, Raw and Breaded Fish Fillets. A token Malaysian presence in the form of the Sea Sparkle's -Frozen White Pomfrets was also seen.

Assorted Sumeru & Keya - Frozen Prawns & Fish Fillets.

Keya - Medium & Large Prawns.

Keya Super Jumbo Prawns.

Sumeru fillets with some Sea Sparkle White Pomfret.

Last but not the least, I did find some skinless, boneless, Premium Smoked Salmon from Denmark priced reasonably at Rs 2250/Kg. Smoked Salmon Frittata anyone?

Smoked Salmon from Denmark.

Easter is coming, other festivals are following soon, in this continuing festive season, this time of the year also witnesses an influx of vacationers from abroad, especially the Gulf, who descend upon their homeland, on account of holidays, it is therefore a time for incessant celebrations, in God's Own Country, and time to savour the choicest nadan delicacies in the company of friends and relatives. Fortunately, one now has a world-class, convenient, one-stop-shop for both the meat and fish needs. Lately, the word has spread like wildfire and the seafood section, Lulu Mall, Edapally, Kochi, has been attracting zealous fish-raiders in droves.

Snapper & Udupuri.

Freshhhhhh Fish!!!

We Are Waiting For You!

Now that you all have a fair idea of the selection that is being made available, just go by and have a look for yourself. It can't get any better than this. We in Kochi really owe a debt of gratitude to Mr M A Yusuffali's wonderful Emke Group, for getting us such a marvelous "Seafood Wonderland" in Kochi.

Thank you Lulu!

Tuesday, 12 March 2013

Lulu Mall, Kochi - "World of Happiness"

Lulu Shopping Mall, Kochi

Welcome To The World Of Happiness!!!

By - Lt Col (Retd) D Purushothaman Pillay

The EMKE Group of the NRI Billionaire, Malayali business tycoon and living legend, M A Yusuffali, has gifted to Kochi, its biggest landmark, and India's largest (in GLA terms) shopping destination, The Lulu Shopping Mall at Edapally. Sunday, 10th March 2013, will go down as a monumental day in the history of Kochi, when this sprawling 2.5 million square feet magnificent shopping haven, was inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister Shri Oommen Chandy, in the presence of political luminaries, invited foreign guests, senior government officials and the enthusiastic citizens from all over the state.

This engineering marvel, ensconced on the confluence of three of Kerala's major arterial highways viz; NH 17, Kochi Bypass & NH 47; was designed by the world-famous, 75 year old, London-headquartered, leading design, structural engineering and project management consultancy- WS Atkins plc. The Lulu Group is fabled to have invested a whopping Rs 1600 crores, on this four-tiered mall, which includes the copious basement parking. The Mall is spread over an area of 17 acres. The Lulu Mall by their own admission, 'is an eclectic ensemble of retail offerings'. It has this grand, translucent-glass roofed atrium that welcomes you in, bathed in a shower of glowing incandescence and glistening opulence on the ground floor, leading to another section of the Hypermarket, which is spread over 278,000 square feet, selling the choicest groceries, baked items, canned foods, frozen foods, fresh fruits and vegetables. More importantly, it boasts of 28 check-outs, thereby thoughtfully ensuring, that no one is in a serpentine queue, waiting for long, for billing. There is also an amazing Butchery which offers you the best meat and fish cuts, money can buy in India. The 145,000 square feet, Lulu Department Store, on the first floor sells garments, luggage, cosmetics, footwear, white goods and other non-food items. The Tablez Food Company has earmarked 48,000 square feet space for a fine dining restaurant and 19,000 square feet for a patisserie cum coffee shop on the second floor.

The third floor houses a 28,000 square feet multiple kiosk Sparky's Amusement cum entertainment zone including a soon to be functional 5000 square feet Ice Rink, a Computer/Video Games Arcade, 12 lane Bowling Alley and 5D Cinema. In addition this floor has a 3,500 seat Multi-Cuisine Food Court serviced by 18 kitchens. The PVR Cinemas Multiplex will soon be exhibiting on 9 screens seating 2,250 viewers, in this mall.

The 360 odd outlets will boast of many internationally acclaimed brands like Rolex, Rado, Tommy Hilfiger, Caterpillar, William Penn, Toni & Guy, The Body Shop, Vero Moda and the like. The world's largest chain of fast food restaurants - McDonald's has its first outlet in Kerala at this mall. An adjacent 420 room, premium five-star luxury hotel managed by JW Marriot Hotels, which will also offer royal suite rooms, besides boasting of a helipad, is under construction in this complex, and is likely to be completed by the year end.

The structure is thoughtfully equipped with eighteen pairs of well-positioned escalators, travelators, elevators and also copious stairways for those who still prefer the old-school perambulation to automated passage, which efficiently ferry visitors seamlessly and without any clutter, to the various levels. There is adequate car parking facilities for over 3,500 cars.

There are water fountains, toilets and baby-care rooms on all floors. The premises is designed to be friendly for the physically challenged, with designated parking areas and special rest rooms provided on the ground, first and second floors. Wheel chairs are also made available on request on contacting either the Security or the ground floor Information Desk. ATMs belonging to the Federal Bank, Union Bank, SBI & South Indian Bank are available on the ground and first floors, besides Federal Bank is operating a branch on the second floor. Thomas Cook has a Money Exchange and Club Mahindra operates a Travel & Holidays desk. There are two Prayer Rooms, one on the first floor for ladies and the other on the second floor for gents. There is a Baggage Counter near the Hypermarket, besides First Aid and Cab Services, available on request, from the ground floor Information Desk. Great news for the Internet users, Wi-Fi can be accessed everywhere in the mall.

10 March 2013, will be a day Kochi will not forget, for it literally came to a standstill, with the traffic gridlocked around Edapally, teeming with 3 lac joyous people, celebrating the arrival of the Pride of Kerala - a shopping extravaganza called Lulu Shopping Mall. A picture tells a thousand stories I have posted a few taken by me, for you to feast your eyes on. Come celebrate this new world of happiness!