ITP Indian Travel Places: Food, Travel, Tourism Business Events and Trade Shows
Address: Shop 5, Bhavya Plaza, 5th Road, Next to Kotak Mahindra Bank & Midas Salon, Khar, Mumbai
Time: 12 Noon to 3:30 PM, 7 PM to 12 Midnight
Meals for two: Rs. 1,150
Cuisines: Kerala, Maharashtrian
Facilities: Home Delivery, No Alcohol Available, Wifi, Outdoor Seating
Dear God! I love your country and its cuisine, too. Let me quickly correct that, all three of Kerala’s cuisines. All born on this lush land, where devout Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Jews live in harmony amid balmy climes and plentiful rain. I go to Kerala when I’m looking for a triple treat — Syrian Christian, Moplah (Mappila) Muslim and Hindu fare — each one distinct, though all draw upon the abundant spices, coconut, rice and seafood here.
Alas! Mumbai has a woeful lack of restaurants serving this cuisine. So, when I heard about ‘Curry Tales’, we immediately landed up unannounced. Do his new ‘Curry Tales’ have happy endings?
Curry Tales, Khar, Mumbai: Decor
A side entrance took us into the rustic, irregularly shaped room strung with fairy lights. Simply done up with wooden tables (there’s a small air conditioned section, too). Communal sharing tables. Easy, casual, amateurish vibe in this Khar eatery.
Curry Tales, Khar, Mumbai: Food
Homestyle, North Kerala and coastal flavors infuse the dishes. The menu clings to the Western coast. I’m an Appam fan, and immediately tore off pieces of the simply superb, soft appams and mopped up the robustly spiced, succulent Mutton Sukka. High decibels of spice levels in the tasty Chicken Ghee Roast contrasted with the mild, soothing (no ginger, garlic) Daal with Dudhi and dishes from Palakkad Iyer Brahmin dishes, Sambhar, too. Flavorful Prawn Pulao made to a 150-year-old recipe, Maharashtrian Mutton Curry made to a recipe from Alibaug, thin, flavorsome Alleppey Fish Curry were tasty with a comforting home goodness.
Curry Tales, Khar, Mumbai: Minus Points
Sadly, no Karimeen, my must have. No alcohol. My favorite stew was too bland and lackluster; over salted Bhindi Pulimunchi, overdone Surmai Fry, under-sweetened Seviya and Payasam. Inconsistency marks some of the dishes.
Curry Tales, Khar, Mumbai: My Point
Happy news! There’s a new Keralite in Khar. Sandeep Sreedharan, engineer and MBA-turned-chef restaurateur, fueled by passion has set up Curry Tales and has plans to set up many more. Homespun, home-style dishes that aren’t fancy, but that’s their charm — they bypass the high-end for a blunt down-home appeal. Don’t go looking for gourmet fine-dine. Accessibility is the guiding ethos: a very basic introduction to the North Kerala and Western coast flavors. It’s casual, affordable (lunch express and thalis, too). Mumbai needs more such Indian regional cuisine, standalone restaurants. Sreedharan brings home-style Kerala to Khar. Kudos!
