There are only a handful of eateries in Kochi that can offer a true lakeside dining experience. The list will narrow down further if you add a seafood-intensive menu that goes beyond the popular meen- manga curry to the equation. Keeping up with the rapidly evolving palate of Malayalis, Taj Malabar is all set to accentuate the culinary magic of its waterfront restaurant, The Rice Boat, with an array of delicacies put together by executive chef Thomas George.
Presenting a combination of ethnic as well as international recipes, the menu at this 30-cover fine dining restaurant comes with some pleasant quirks of its own. “Unlike the standard menus that go by dining courses, Rice Boat will present its patrons with a list based on the ingredients and various preparations highlighting them,” begins the chef, adding that they currently serve over nine variants of seafood including scallops flown in all the way from Canada.
Coastal element
Our starter at Rice Boat, a piquant, spice-crusted, sashimi-grade tuna loin served with Pommery beurre blanc turned out to be the perfect prelude to what followed. Elaborating on the experiments involved in developing the menu, chef Thomas informs us that he has brought in several locally-sourced components such as sea salt procured from Tuticorin. “New additions such as Rockefeller oysters are some of the classics that we have brought in,” shares the chef, as he brings us the dish topped with creamy spinach fondue and a slightly browned parmesan crust.
Reserved for true lovers of seafood, this oozy delight doused in fondue is as fresh as it can get.While it took me some time to muster up the courage to sample the next dish in front of me—a selection of baby octopuses cooked in a zesty fried coconut gravy (theeyal), the flavoursome yet tender meat quickly won me over. However, my favourite at Rice Boat is the curry leaf and pepper scallops, a sapid dish served in raw mango relish with droplets of curry sauce and orange gastrique thrown in. While there, feel free to skip the dessert section and ask for a wine pairing as their updated list sports over 150 variants flown in from over 12 countries.
Meal for two from `4,750
Details: 6643000
— Arya P Dinesh