Smoky opens at Oberon Mall, with an insane 17-course tasting menu and 32-inch pizzas

This Kochi-based eatery hopes to provide a unique gastronomic experience.
Quinoa salad with century eggs
Quinoa salad with century eggs

There’s a little corner of epicurean heaven tucked away on the top floor of Oberon Mall. This shopping centre is the last place one would expect to find haute cuisine. But, underneath this large eatery’s domed arches, one gets to experience an intensely flavourful Japanese seafood soup, lush farfalle covered with roast beef, and an Instagram-worthy fruity quinoa salad topped with century eggs. These are just a few dishes we try in the indulgent 17-course tasting session!

Oh, and did we mention that they’ve created one of the largest Neopolitan-style pizzas in the country? Welcome to Smoky, a venture that involves popular food vlogger, Mrinal Das Vengalat, and the managing director of Oberon, Suffair M M.
 

Charred ‘n’ scruffed
The duo hopes to dispell myths like gourmet food can only be served on a white tablecloth. “Currently, our idea is to host a grilled food festival with specials from nine different countries to gauge what this city’s foodies enjoy. But, we’re on the verge of transitioning from a 25-cover spot into a full-fledged establishment. We’re trying to create an upmarket Euro-American eatery. Though we will be serving fine dining fare, our decor and setting will remain casual,” explains Suffair, as I sample a charred squid satay splashed with chilly vinaigrette.

The Caesar salad that follows, with its crunchy lettuce, juicy chicken, and buttered toast, is divine. The foodpreneur (instagram.com/smokymeaty) isn’t kidding about using hand-churned butter from France and importing five types of cheese either. 
 




Holy smoke
So, are people really lining up to dine on such elaborate tasting courses priced between `900 and `1,600? “We were fully booked throughout the week for our dinner service,” claims Mrinal. While the UAE-based 
restaurant consultant talks about recreating dishes he discovered on his global travels, I cut up and sample their three-cheese layered pizza margherita—a near-perfect medley of sauce, cheese, and dough. 

The beef slices in their open-faced sandwich were unimpressive and chewy despite having gone through slow-roasting for nine hours in its own jus. Nevertheless, our meal ended on a high note with freshly-baked apple tarts and ice cream. “As first-time restaurateurs, we occasionally face issues with vendors and suppliers and we’re working hard to bring everything up to standard on that front,” promises the influential UAE-based food vlogger, whose videos have over 2.6 million views on YouTube.

 

Prior reservations required.

 anoop.p@newindianexpress.com
@godsonlymistake

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