Establishments that serve meals on trains and planes generally make food safety a priority; taste is an afterthought. Casino Air Caterers and Flight Services changed that notion recently with excellent eateries at Ernakulam Junction and T3 terminal.
Now they hope to elevate the highway travellers’ culinary experience. Currently, they’re testing the waters with a ‘pilot’ restaurant beneath Niko Hotel on K P Vallon Road called Curry Tree Diner. The 24-cover space with its pseudo-wooden furniture, green-hued walls, open kitchen, and friendly service does exude the warm vibes generally experienced at a Mom-and-Pop store.
Brewed awakening
The comforting sizzle of dosa batter being poured on a hot tawa greets patrons at the door. Upon approaching the counter to order, we noticed that the menu is quite different from the Kerala cuisine-heavy spread they offer at T3 (ever tried the signature waffle appam and egg roast there?).
Our lunch-time favourites, though a tad too pricey, include a fluffy Kerala porotta, single portion-sized mutton roganjosh curry, and fiery beef roast stuffed dosa served along with fish/chicken kozhambu. Though the idea of a butter chicken biryani seems novel, we feel it may not bode well with the Malayali palate.
Skip their airport-friendly dessert options like stale doughnuts and go for a sherbet (ask for sugar syrup). Better yet, try a cold-brewed iced caffé latte. The staff claim that no one else in Kerala currently serves cold brew coffee.
Not only is the caffeinated beverage made less acidic, but this process involves keeping freshly ground coffee steeped in cold water for 18-24 hours! It’s the perfect pick-me-up if you intend to slog through yet another long shift at work.
From 7.30 am to 10.30 pm.
anoop.p@newindianexpress.com
@godsonlymistake