Zenzerro -Thiruvananthapuram, Trivandrum Diaries
My first born was supposed to be a November baby as per the expected date of his arrival into this world...but it just didn't happen. No labour pains, no signs of him popping out and our woes of having him out just doubled as young first timers in the avenue of expectant parents.
Both the husband and I always drown our anxieties even now by either cooking up a storm in the kitchen together or going out for a nice movie. The husband decided that we would go and watch Mani Ratnam's cult film, "Thiruda Thiruda" as all the song, dance, stunts and sensual gyrations would take its toll on my senses and I would get into labour...No Luck! The kid just got comfy in there kicking around his way acknowledging all my efforts and enjoying the movie to the core with us, I must admit. Do check out one of the songs in this movie which was such a trailblazer back then
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzwFa3tDk1U
Eventually, my gynaec decided that as he is not gonna come out, she's gonna go after him and thus we went in for a C -section. My son, thus was an early December baby and boy did he bring us good luck and happiness in the days and years to come.
Today, 24 years on which to me is a long journey and bumping into somebody who was casually and remotely a part of all that "when will our baby pop out" excitement back then had me tongue-tied and in awe. On my birthday this year, we went over to Zenzerro (on my niece's recommendation), a quaint little space, unique in its ambience and approach, ideally located in the heart of the city in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala bang opposite to Cotton Hills High School in Vazhuthacaud. An extremely good looking bearded man greeted us and welcomed us to a comfy place which had the six of us all huddled in hunger and excitement!
The husband has a sharp sense of perception and being the kind of person that he is, is always able to recognize old familiar people-both strangers and friends and he looked at our extremely handsome host and asked him, "Are you by any chance one of the thieves in 'Thiruda Thiruda' ?"
Can you imagine how I stirred in my seat and totally ignored the family who accompanied us and was absolutely lost in translation the moment he acknowledged in affirmative that he was Anand, the other thief along with Prashanth. Twenty-four years zoomed past us and there in front of us was one of the characters whose movie we went for to have our first born. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anand_(actor)
Anand runs Zenzerro along with his beautiful actress wife, Poornima. Zenzerro means "ginger" in Italian when we asked him as we found the name quite unique. They are a very friendly couple who bake their own bread and cook the food themselves. I would call them actors turned restaurateurs as seems to be the trend these days-if one is not dabbling in politics, then you either have a restaurant or a boutique that you passionately run.
Attention to detail is brilliantly seen in all the dishes that we had ordered that evening. Once the order is mentally noted, Anand disappears into the kitchen to start on all his fresh ingredients for the bake or cooked dish. Occasionally his wife would join him or go into the kitchen to whip up another order for another table. I loved this duo and the way in which the dishes were freshly churned as per the order.
This is what I loved the most-the freshness of the ingredients and the way it was served piping hot bursting with flavours and authentic aroma.
I must admit I am not an expert or a connoisseur with food and flavours but I am a sucker for good food with a good serving portion served from the heart and soul. I saw some soulful cooking here. Anand himself along with his help personally took care that I had a nice birthday with no complaints with regard to the food.
The kids ordered a variety of things and every dish ordered was filling and we were even able to share amongst ourselves. As this was a sibling's treat I did not get hold of the receipt and forgot the exotic names of each of the dishes- I do know we had Pad Thai, spaghetti with meatballs, a wonderful chicken starter, a Lasagne, a few beverages, a rice steak combo dish...Sigh! my birthday was a couple of months back hence unable to recall. My apologies!
Being a film buff myself, I loved all the duo's collectibles especially their film paraphernalia and related posters. I must ask them the next time I am there...am positive there ought to be great flashbacks for them to narrate.
These vintage tin posters had me captured and down memory lane. I guess these are from their travels or a hobby they pursue. They added an oomph to this fusion café that serves Italian, American and Thai menu. We were alone as customers for long when we went in but others did trickle in and the host and hostess once again attended to them with the same undivided attention and fervor as they did with us.
I found it decently priced. Our bill, if I recall was around Rs.2000 (six of us had dug in) and we did get a dish packed(so seven of us had) as well for my older one who had a bad cold and fever and could not accompany us that evening for the fear of passing it on to his cousins who had their exams round the corner.
So, for those of you who would just love to casually walk in to read a book or work on something alone, this is an ideal place in the heart of the city.
This space may attract an audience who are interested in something continental as well with conversations and good, hygienic food. You may want to bring in a friend or two who are craving for such a cuisine. You should not be disappointed! We did an encore by treating a very good friend here and the vibes were good then as well!
Perhaps the only put off I found back then was a strong smell of non-veg/raw or cooked meat/perhaps marinated meat but then this should be taken constructively and as a suggestion from a patron. One can counter these with air fresheners, fragrant candles or burning incense.
My nose is extremely sensitive and almost like a canine's. It has its boon and its bane but I am forced to live with it!
I would go again to try out more specials from them. The youngsters loved it and the husband found it very flavorsome with good portions of meat and wonderful chunks of veggies as well. An ideal hangout for youngsters as well as the new gen kids would enjoy such food!
I would give this a 4.9 on 5.
So grateful Anand and Poornima for the memorable dining experience!
Thank you also for stealing your way into our lives years ago through the movie. Cheers!
Both the husband and I always drown our anxieties even now by either cooking up a storm in the kitchen together or going out for a nice movie. The husband decided that we would go and watch Mani Ratnam's cult film, "Thiruda Thiruda" as all the song, dance, stunts and sensual gyrations would take its toll on my senses and I would get into labour...No Luck! The kid just got comfy in there kicking around his way acknowledging all my efforts and enjoying the movie to the core with us, I must admit. Do check out one of the songs in this movie which was such a trailblazer back then
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzwFa3tDk1U
Eventually, my gynaec decided that as he is not gonna come out, she's gonna go after him and thus we went in for a C -section. My son, thus was an early December baby and boy did he bring us good luck and happiness in the days and years to come.
Today, 24 years on which to me is a long journey and bumping into somebody who was casually and remotely a part of all that "when will our baby pop out" excitement back then had me tongue-tied and in awe. On my birthday this year, we went over to Zenzerro (on my niece's recommendation), a quaint little space, unique in its ambience and approach, ideally located in the heart of the city in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala bang opposite to Cotton Hills High School in Vazhuthacaud. An extremely good looking bearded man greeted us and welcomed us to a comfy place which had the six of us all huddled in hunger and excitement!
The husband has a sharp sense of perception and being the kind of person that he is, is always able to recognize old familiar people-both strangers and friends and he looked at our extremely handsome host and asked him, "Are you by any chance one of the thieves in 'Thiruda Thiruda' ?"
Can you imagine how I stirred in my seat and totally ignored the family who accompanied us and was absolutely lost in translation the moment he acknowledged in affirmative that he was Anand, the other thief along with Prashanth. Twenty-four years zoomed past us and there in front of us was one of the characters whose movie we went for to have our first born. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anand_(actor)
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| Image courtesy: Google (Our host to the right) |
Attention to detail is brilliantly seen in all the dishes that we had ordered that evening. Once the order is mentally noted, Anand disappears into the kitchen to start on all his fresh ingredients for the bake or cooked dish. Occasionally his wife would join him or go into the kitchen to whip up another order for another table. I loved this duo and the way in which the dishes were freshly churned as per the order.
I must admit I am not an expert or a connoisseur with food and flavours but I am a sucker for good food with a good serving portion served from the heart and soul. I saw some soulful cooking here. Anand himself along with his help personally took care that I had a nice birthday with no complaints with regard to the food.
 |
| Spaghetti with meat balls |
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| Our Starter-boy it was too good! |
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| My Veg Pad Thai |
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| The Lasagne |
The kids ordered a variety of things and every dish ordered was filling and we were even able to share amongst ourselves. As this was a sibling's treat I did not get hold of the receipt and forgot the exotic names of each of the dishes- I do know we had Pad Thai, spaghetti with meatballs, a wonderful chicken starter, a Lasagne, a few beverages, a rice steak combo dish...Sigh! my birthday was a couple of months back hence unable to recall. My apologies!
Being a film buff myself, I loved all the duo's collectibles especially their film paraphernalia and related posters. I must ask them the next time I am there...am positive there ought to be great flashbacks for them to narrate.
My nose is extremely sensitive and almost like a canine's. It has its boon and its bane but I am forced to live with it!
I would go again to try out more specials from them. The youngsters loved it and the husband found it very flavorsome with good portions of meat and wonderful chunks of veggies as well. An ideal hangout for youngsters as well as the new gen kids would enjoy such food!
I would give this a 4.9 on 5.
So grateful Anand and Poornima for the memorable dining experience!
Thank you also for stealing your way into our lives years ago through the movie. Cheers!
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