THE DELICIOUS SNACKS

On each of our picnics we were also given a treat at one of the good eating places in town. Each time it was a different place. I have not forgotten the taste of the ‘Ghee Roast’; a one and a half foot long dosa filled our stomachs to the brim. This was from Madras Café. ‘Uzhunnu Vada’. ‘Banana Roast from Bharath Coffee House in Broadway was another delicacy. When big hotels opened our parents took us to the new restaurants in such hotels. The Vegetable Cutlets and ‘Oothappam’ from ‘BTH’, or ‘Ghee Roast’ and Ice Cream and a ‘Grape Juice special’ from Woodlands. While we devoured these tasty snacks Appachan would have a chat with the owners of Woodlands, Ramakrishnan and Ramachandran. They were very close to our family. On certain days when they felt like being a little extravagant, we used to have a delicious ‘Biriyani’ from Grand Hotel. The waiter appeared with a platter, and a delicious aroma invaded the room. Their ‘Biriyani’ was exceptionally good. ‘Appachan’ introduced us to the owner of the hotel, Pappachan Kannikatt (Kottoor), a model entrepreneur in his field. He told us that ‘the big ‘Karimeen’ (Pearl Spot) which was used for the “unique special dishes” were from the pond in his house at Udayamperur. Appachan, who always had a sweet tooth, had a weakness for their fruit salad with cream which was a grand finale to the meal. 

Excerpts from

MEMOIRS

An autobiography

by

Joseph J. Thayamkeril

Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.

josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com

josephjthayamkeril@google.com

josephjthayamkeril@gmail.com