Go to Dasanum Vijayanum and say Gafoor ka Dosth; you’re bound to get a really warm reception. We’re talking about the new cafe located barely 150 metres from the CUSAT metro station. The 22-cover outlet is small, yet comfortable and seemingly a cross between a cafe and a naadan chaayakkada, the latter avatar reflecting more on the menu.
As I seat myself on a high stool, owner Nila Padma arrives with Gafoor ka Dosth—an enticing sweet and salty pairing of pazhampori with a curry-leaf loaded beef roast. “Our regular crowd is students from the campus who are looking for homely food in an amicable atmosphere. We yearn to be a place accessible for them,” says the youngster, about her two-months-old project, as I wash down the platter with a mildly sour passion fruit juice.
Crossover dining
I dig the name chicken pocket from the quick bites menu and it turns out to be unique indeed. “We’ve incorporated certain techniques inspired from the Malabari dish chattipathiri to make the egg filling,” says the 26-year-old, as I bite into the crispy breadcrumbs which then make way for softer stuffing.
Another name that captures my attention is their kozhi inji ittathu. Improvisational pairing being the outlet’s signature, this one comes with bhatoora. The dried red chilli infused fried-chicken platter is slightly high on salt which overtakes the spicy undertones. We move on to the enticing flavours of their irachi choru steeped in the sweetness of caramelised onions and raisins. Their kumbilappam (banana, coconut and jaggery steamed with rice flour) with a black tea is any day a better deal than a packaged ice cream.
Meal for two from `250 onwards
Details: 8075905488