Ruchika Thadicaren
Latest Reviews
Bu Qtair Restaurant
This was my first experience at this pioneering Kerala seafood restaurant in UAE. I was really surprised to see such a big crowd of mostly tourists here; didn't realize this fare was enjoyed by so many!
Located at the very end of Kite Beach and quite close to the Burj Al Arab, this is a humble restaurant whose interior looks more like a cafeteria. The dining area is mainly outdoors during good weather, with benches set up on the deck on two levels.
Customers have to queue up (and mind you, the queue is long!) and order at the counter. Fish may be chosen among the displayed fare along with the preferred level of heat and spice. It is then weighed and the total cost depends on the weight.
The preparation and waiting time is quite brief considering the crowd and quantity being cooked! We chose a large fish and some large prawns to be grilled, along with the usually available ghee rice and accompanying gravy. We also ordered a porotta to soak up the gravy and a drink.
The fish was beautifully cooked with lovely crisp skin and soft, white tender flesh inside. The prawns were equally good but a little too greasy for me. The rice and gravy went along well with the fish and prawns.
The flavour is quite subtle and not the fearsome hang-your-tongue-out kind of hot and spicy, which was a major plus point for me! Probably to cater to the tastes of the majority.
Located at the very end of Kite Beach and quite close to the Burj Al Arab, this is a humble restaurant whose interior looks more like a cafeteria. The dining area is mainly outdoors during good weather, with benches set up on the deck on two levels.
Customers have to queue up (and mind you, the queue is long!) and order at the counter. Fish may be chosen among the displayed fare along with the preferred level of heat and spice. It is then weighed and the total cost depends on the weight.
The preparation and waiting time is quite brief considering the crowd and quantity being cooked! We chose a large fish and some large prawns to be grilled, along with the usually available ghee rice and accompanying gravy. We also ordered a porotta to soak up the gravy and a drink.
The fish was beautifully cooked with lovely crisp skin and soft, white tender flesh inside. The prawns were equally good but a little too greasy for me. The rice and gravy went along well with the fish and prawns.
The flavour is quite subtle and not the fearsome hang-your-tongue-out kind of hot and spicy, which was a major plus point for me! Probably to cater to the tastes of the majority.
Themar AlBahar
We had been waiting to visit this place for many months, but I'm sorry to say we were sorely disappointed. To begin with, the ambience wasn't great. It was extremely noisy and we couldn't even get a word across the table without shouting. The cooler was right next to us and even though the music wasn't loud, it added to the cacophony. We ordered the Themar Al Bahar grilled seafood platter and the sayadieh with seafood.
The orders were delivered promptly and I have to say, the sayadieh was yummy. The rice was well seasoned, flavourful, with yummy seafood bits and the nuts added an extra crunch thus enhancing the overall texture.
Next came the seafood platter, which was a disappointment. Being a seafood fanatic I was really looking forward to it, but the fish fillet was the only passable item in the dish. The flesh was tender and well cooked. The squid was rubbery and bland, the prawns were flavourless, the lobster was chewy and none of it tasted fresh. On top of that, there was a huge load of French fries on top of the grill, dripping in oil which seeped into all the seafood. The portions were very generous and economical but unfortunately lacking in quality.
By the time we got back home after the meal we had unpleasant tummy aches.
I'm sorry to be writing such a review but the restaurant definitely needs to improve in food quality.
The orders were delivered promptly and I have to say, the sayadieh was yummy. The rice was well seasoned, flavourful, with yummy seafood bits and the nuts added an extra crunch thus enhancing the overall texture.
Next came the seafood platter, which was a disappointment. Being a seafood fanatic I was really looking forward to it, but the fish fillet was the only passable item in the dish. The flesh was tender and well cooked. The squid was rubbery and bland, the prawns were flavourless, the lobster was chewy and none of it tasted fresh. On top of that, there was a huge load of French fries on top of the grill, dripping in oil which seeped into all the seafood. The portions were very generous and economical but unfortunately lacking in quality.
By the time we got back home after the meal we had unpleasant tummy aches.
I'm sorry to be writing such a review but the restaurant definitely needs to improve in food quality.
Ustad Hotel Al Nahda
Visited this outlet expecting to have our favourite Pandal biryani. Presumably due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was unavailable. The menu was limited to the famed beef chatti choru, palli choru and drinks.
We ordered one of each and weren't disappointed.
Beef chatti choru: Parboiled rice, thoran(amaranth stir-fried with coconut), beef curry, beef fry, papad, chilli pickle and ginger curd.
All the components were excellent, especially the beef fry with its well-marinated and tender pieces of beef.
Palli choru: ghee rice, beef curry, chicken fry, raita, papad, lady's finger sambar.
Ghee rice was made with the Malabari variety khaima rice which was perfectly cooked and had a superb aroma and flavour. The meal took us back to the traditional Malabari Muslim wedding feast. Both the dishes came with payasam which, wasn't up to the mark (not creamy enough and a tad sweet for my taste), but that wasn't the main component so we didn't mind at all. We also ordered lime soda which was cool and refreshing.
Casual setting suitable for groups and families.
We ordered one of each and weren't disappointed.
Beef chatti choru: Parboiled rice, thoran(amaranth stir-fried with coconut), beef curry, beef fry, papad, chilli pickle and ginger curd.
All the components were excellent, especially the beef fry with its well-marinated and tender pieces of beef.
Palli choru: ghee rice, beef curry, chicken fry, raita, papad, lady's finger sambar.
Ghee rice was made with the Malabari variety khaima rice which was perfectly cooked and had a superb aroma and flavour. The meal took us back to the traditional Malabari Muslim wedding feast. Both the dishes came with payasam which, wasn't up to the mark (not creamy enough and a tad sweet for my taste), but that wasn't the main component so we didn't mind at all. We also ordered lime soda which was cool and refreshing.
Casual setting suitable for groups and families.
Hotel Akshaya
Akshaya has always been a go-to place for most Thrissurites due to:
1. Delicious food
2. Being open upto 1-2am at night
3. Reasonable costs
4. Easy accessibility
5. Quick and efficient service
My favourites here are the flaky porotta, steaming fresh puttu, beef roast and fish curry. In fact, almost all their dishes are worth tasting 😀
Most recently, I had porotta, noolappam, mushroom masala, chicken kondattam and fresh lime soda. Each one was good, especially the creamy mushroom masala and the soft noolappams. The chicken kondattam was tasty too, with a beautiful crispy coating and soft well & cooked centre. It came accompanied by a spicy gravy.
Service was also quick; we waited only around 5-10 minutes to be served.
1. Delicious food
2. Being open upto 1-2am at night
3. Reasonable costs
4. Easy accessibility
5. Quick and efficient service
My favourites here are the flaky porotta, steaming fresh puttu, beef roast and fish curry. In fact, almost all their dishes are worth tasting 😀
Most recently, I had porotta, noolappam, mushroom masala, chicken kondattam and fresh lime soda. Each one was good, especially the creamy mushroom masala and the soft noolappams. The chicken kondattam was tasty too, with a beautiful crispy coating and soft well & cooked centre. It came accompanied by a spicy gravy.
Service was also quick; we waited only around 5-10 minutes to be served.