junction at Seven Roads, some centrally located eating places in Kodaikanal
From bakeries and gourmet cafes
to five star resorts, Kodaikanal’s kitchens have a zest for organic, churning
out recipes from scratch. Cheeses, herbs and vegetables are procured farm
fresh. The laid-back atmosphere of a small town is deceptive. Restaurants and
cafes bustle about to cater to the busy crowds of the season.
Cafe Cariappa
A miniature gourmet coffee house
for true coffee lovers, Cafe Cariappa is a delightful nook with tables on
barrels and wood panelled walls. Alongside, they serve hot Belgian waffles with
chocolate syrup and honey, carrot cake and organic muffins. Sandwiches are
filled with cheese and mustard from Caroselle, specialty cheese maker from
Pethuparai. Kishore Cariappa’s dream was sparked by environmental interests and
a yen to grow organic coffee. Purchasing a small farm 35 km from Kodaikanal,
Cariappa set out to preserve the natural ecosystem engaging the local
Mannadiyars, early agricultural settlers. The single origin coffee at the cafe
is pure Arrabica, a premium brand. Cariappa roasts and grinds the coffee beans,
all in-house, with his specially procured Italian machines. An elephant
drinking coffee from a cup adorns the brown Kraft packaging with Cariappa’s
trademark stamp ‘Origin Palani Hills’. He says, “I want this to be a revolutionary
centre for ecology where coffee is the meeting point.” As coffee grows in the
shade, trees are never cut in his estate. Elephants do visit the Cariappas and
my bet is Kishore wishes they drink his coffee! JS
Heritage Complex, PT Road
Pastry Corner
If you have driven up the Ghats
late afternoon, missed lunch and hit the in-between hour, never fret. Pastry
Corner, the popular bakery will cater to a snappy luncheon and anytime snack.
You can make your own sandwiches with their country-style, robust and fresh
round-top breads. Owner Prasanna will insist that you eat it the same day and
this is usually not a problem. In stock, but fast moving are his splendid jams
made from peach, pear and plum grown locally. Pick up their piquant pizza
slices with tomato and grated cheese, muffins, cream puffs, cinnamon rolls and
pastries with generous dollops of fresh cream. They make crunchy, mouth-melting
ice cream with fresh fruit in seasonal flavours. Favourites are pear, plum,
mango, chickoo and butter-scotch. Hot coffee is always available made with
freshly ground beans.
Pastry Corner is near Indian Bank by 7
Roads Junction and at Spencers
The Cheese Shop
The Cheese Shop stocks a fabulous
variety of cheeses, pesto, tangy mustard and fondue. Visitors grab the flavoured
cheddars - green chilli, garlic and pepper and Cumin Gouda. Caesar’s Chocolates
by Manna compares with any international brand. Flavours include rum and
raisin, dates and honey, marzipan, almond nougat and orange, individually
wrapped for freshness.
At Venus Cottage, Observatory Road near BSNL
Office
Cloud Street
Housed in a rather innocuous
building, this quaint eatery can be easily missed. A friendly setting of cane
chairs, a spotless tiled floor and soothing blues and fusion set the prelude
for a compelling gourmet meal. For soups, pick from creamy potato or spinach.
Wood fired pizzas 10” and 14” are made in a real brick oven and slathered with
cheese, layers fatter than the delicate thin crust they rest on. “Cloud Street
is a passion not a business”, says Chef Binsen with enthusiasm about owners
Michael and Tanya. They recommend the Anchovy and Roasted Onion Pizza and
sizzlers, for starters “a very different hummus and pita.” Our favourite veggie
picks were the spinach-mushroom and pesto-tomato pizzas. If you want a heftier
meal, go for the pepper steak or barbeque chicken. Revel in a lasagne or
Spaghetti Neapolitan. They offer just three desserts, but you’ll keep going
back for more – a spongy moist lemon cake, a coffee-walnut cake and brownies, baked
European style.
Opposite
Kodaikanal Tourist Office, P.T Road, Kodaikanal
The Carlton
With architecture that combines
stone, wood and glass, the oldest heritage resort of Kodaikanal, The Carlton,
rarely fails to deliver. Meals are designed for the climate and altitude of the
hills – fibre rich with less fat and lightly spiced, bringing out the natural
flavours of ingredients. Pick from a soul-satisfying, innovative menu from East
and West – a variety of pastas, lasagne, kadai paneer and a choice of meats -
succulent Madurai Mutton Masala, grilled fish or their famous kozhi vartara
curry. Starters tempt – an amazing Sabji Platter with marinated mushrooms,
cauliflower potato and paneer tikka or murgh tikka. Delve into a fresh Kodai
tossed salad with herbs or cheddar salad. The Kodai herbal soup is great for
the nippy weather. Naans and phulkas are crisp and light. Desserts delight
-chocolate triple pastry, apple strudel and hot jalebis with rabadi. A happy
sojourn with nature, the ambience of Carlton with a wonderful lake view is
irreplaceable. A gaggle of white geese on their spread of green lawn may turn
up to surprise. Evenings, a logwood fire crackles in the foyer. To further warm
up, visit the bar – End of the Road. Lake Road near 7 Roads Junction
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