DoubleTree by Hilton Goa-Panaji is celebrating Kerala’s coastal cuisine with its ongoing ‘Malabar on my plate’ buffet
RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT BUZZ
Last weekend brought the kind of rainy evening that makes you crave something warm and comforting, which made it just right for our planned visit to DoubleTree by Hilton Goa-Panaji for their Kerala food festival, ‘Malabar on my plate’.
Curated by guest master chef Kiran, the festival is a limited-time addition to their regular buffet. It runs from 7 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. at Comida, the hotel’s restaurant, until June 28.
We began with the Pineapple Rasam. As fans of pineapple, we enjoyed the mix of sweet, sour, and spice. Even if fruity soups aren’t usually your thing, this one is worth a try.
For starters, we tried the Meen Porichath (fish roasted in banana leaf) and Beetroot Vada. The fish was coated in a red chilli masala and cooked perfectly. Spicy, yes, but delicious. My nose tingled and I muttered about the heat, but it was absolutely worth it.
Everything on the mains lineup looked inviting, so we had to try it all. The Kozhi Curry had tender, juicy chicken that had soaked up all the rich spices.
The showstopper was the Thalassery Seafood Biryani, a fragrant mix of rice, prawns, fish, and shellfish, topped with cashews and raisins for a hint of sweetness. If you enjoy seafood, this is a must-try. For something milder, the Meen Moile is a great option. Among the vegetarian options, the Koon Kurma (mushroom curry) was my favourite.
The Mango Pal Curry was a sweet-and-sour dish with chunks of mango pieces. It was a bit too sour for my taste, so I stuck to nibbling on the mango, while my colleague happily finished the rest.
The Cabbage Thoran was a nice change from the curries, a dry stir-fry with a satisfying crunch in every bite.
There’s also a live counter serving Malabar Parathas and Kallappams, which you can pair with Mutton Stew or Veg Kurma.
And finally, dessert. I had the Semiya Payasam, and it was just sweet enough to round off the meal. My colleague went with desserts from the regular buffet instead.
We left content, hoping the rain would hold off just long enough for a smooth ride home.
