Good Ol'Kumarakkom (Kudumbbam-a month back)

 

 

 

Grilled Chicken at the entrance to the newly opened Kumarakkom

 Although this is a post on food, I must tell you that this month had been bad in so many ways for us-we lost three elderly fathers of dear friends. I was able to go to two of my friends' homes when their fathers' bodies were brought in from the mortuary before the final church services and burial. Am glad all lived beyond their mid seventies...so it is a life to cherish indeed!

For me as always, any parent's passing takes a toll on my emotions...somebody told me that I must have not made a proper closure with my father's passing...I guess that could be the reason. I really wish I had Papa, I wish we had talked a bit more, hugged and cried a bit more... I get very emotional and these days am a big sucker for any sad stories or when  less fortunate people reach out to us with their sob stories be it an illness, a surgery or a forced job transfer.

Then, it was our dear family friend's father's passing. We were not in town when it happened but visiting him was on our agenda as soon as we got back. Finally we managed to meet our friend. As always talking about my father is always the highlight of my conversations. It was so good to see our friend and his wife after so many years although it was just to comfort him and his family in their grief. A parent's role can never be replaced. It's that smile, that expression, that longing in their eyes, that cynical look, that advice, that hug, that spot on their bed, their chair, their toothbrush, their smell...it just goes void! The emptiness hits us hard...time alone will heal. let the tears roll down...my beautiful father I seriously miss you!!!

As we had spent a considerable amount of time with our friend and it was past our lunch time, on our return we decided to catch lunch at the recently opened Kumarakkom, a stone's throw away from the existing one on Nungumbakkam. It replaces the Kudambam which I understand didn't do too well as a boutique restaurant there.

 We ordered their set lunch which comes like so. The curries come along with each person's thali (plate) In the Kumarakkom located nearby, those would be separately served in bowls and placed in the centre. But this was good as well. Rs.100 a thali-chips, puli inji, sambhar, lemon rasam, raw banana fry, avial, Kachya Moru and a papad as well!

 Meal was heavy and filling. If you have a good appetite, this is great! We ordered some non-veg sides separately. Everything tasted yumm! Red rice was also served along with the thali and it is sufficient for two people. Being a poor rice eater, I did waste most of my rice.

 The thick Kerala sambhar and rasam.

 Kerala banana chips and puli inji chaaru/almost like a chutney or a pickle.

Dessert was ada pradaman which we shared one by two. A payasam always completes a Mallu lunch. Burp!!!
As seen in the first pic, the chicken grilling right at the entrance, it was really tempting and we have ordered a whole for later in the evening Rs. 290/- whole.
A small order for two persons was Rs. 300 each. Quite filling. there is valet parking. I am glad I saw smaller cars there and not those huge ones hence it was easy to manoeuvre from the parking lot as ours was the one parked right inside.

Folks were streaming in. Sunday is a good day for taking the family out to lunch I guess! I found it awkward, watching a hapless almost helpless husband click pictures of his wifey in various poses...there's a jackfruit tree in the compound, I think she posed with the fruit in her right hand/left hand, without, in front of it, behind it...and finally the elderly mother who accompanied them managed to pull off a small jackfruit while standing against the tree...that was funny!!! I really don't know what she did with it finally...Poor jackfruit tree!!! what all it has to go through with technology and selfies these days!!! Sigh!

Those who have been to Kudumbom will know how the ambiance is. Has a very traditional Kerala style in most of the elements and décor in the restaurant.

Order this Kerala lunch only if you have a good appetite! As I had a late breakfast, I must admit I wasted my food which I am so apologetic about. But there just wasn't any space in my tummy after I ate all the sides and curries.

R.I.P to all those uncles. I have my in-laws still with me and feel blessed to still enjoy their love and pampering. Just sharing a sweet pic of my Father-in-law's mundu(veshti/dhoti) and crisp white shirt which he washes and starches by hand. He loves to do his own laundry and his cupboard is a museum piece filled with crisp, ironed whites and light shades for the past so many years that I have known his son. He even irons his handkerchiefs!!!