A Blink and I would have missed it. A little quaint place, neatly tucked between the numerous shops. Coastal Spices sometimes can be hard to find, given the constant flow of traffic. I would call Coastal Spices a sort of Mecca of South Indian Coastal Cuisine on this side of the town.
My Gastronomical Adventures never took me on a journey to the southern part of India. There could be many reasons for the same; one of the basic reasons was the gastronomical differences we had. The only times, I’ve relished South Indian Food was Sambar-Rice or Rasam-Rice or Naatu Kodi Biryani. All this was bound to change soon and never expected Coastal Spice to be the reason for it. All my Gastronomical Adventures these days are decided mostly by the Office Schedules and the Deliverables at Office. All the recommendations and suggestions are mostly decided around Gachibowli Area. Coastal Spice was never on my Radar till I got to hear about it from the person, I least expected it from. Been contemplating a lot from the past few weeks to pay Coastal Spices a visit and the day was soon to come.
Coastal Spices: Location
Coastal Spice is located on the first floor of Kannayalal Complex. It’s a Blink & You Miss the place, so keep your eyes glued on the left as soon as you cross ManPasand on the left. The “Blink & You Miss” is due to the numerous shops lined on the road. One of the best advantages of Coastal Spices is the availability of Valet Parking Facility. As the entire stretch is a No Parking Zone, it would be always advisable to hand over the Car for Valet Parking.
Coastal Spices: Ambience
Coastal Spices is a neat place, with an upmarket feel. The wooden interior makes it feel cozy inside with pictures of Fishes and Fishermen neatly lined up around the place to give it a Coastal feel. The Aquarium with beautiful fishes does add to the feel of the restaurant. Even though, fishes are cliché to Coasts, these do play their role well. Wish the tables were a bit more spaced out; especially the Tables bang near the entrance, beside the Aquarium. The tables have very minimal gap between them.
Coastal Spices: Gastronomical Adventure
Coastal Spices serves Coastal/Mangalorean/Goan/Maharashtrian Cusine and would never leave you asking for more. Prawns, Crabs, Chicken, Mutton, Fish…. You would be lost for choices at Coastal Spices and each dish would surprise you and leave you urging for more and more.
Never ever have I been to a particular restaurant for two days in quick succession. Coastal Spices was the only place, which has won hands down and made me weak in the knees. I could not say NO, when I was asked, if I was willing to join the next day for lunch at Coastal Spices. This in itself is a proof to say, how lip smacking and tempting the food was. Let the Gastronomical Story slowly unfold.
Jhinga Tikka
Succulent Prawns, marinated in the aromatic spices and cooked in the Clay Oven. One of the best Prawns I’ve ever had off late. The Smokey distinct aroma of the Tandoor was evident as soon as the Appetizers were out of the kitchen, headed to the right direction, the place, where I was seated. The mere sight of these Prawns made me jump with the same joy of a 6 year old kid, who gets restless after seeing the hidden packet of candies daddy has.
Prawns were just perfectly cooked, leaving them juicy. The Spices were just the right amount to give those sleeping taste buds a kick-in-the-butt. The Aromatic Prawns with Tangy Mint Chutney were made for each other and before I could realize, I was asking for another helping of the Mint Chutney.
Appetizers done, I was not sure about what lay ahead. Never ever heard of Prawns Ghee Roast or Ghee Roast in particular, hence was a way bit apprehensive or rather excited to see what lay ahead of me for the Gastronomical Adventure I have treaded on to.
Prawns Ghee Roast with Neer Dosa and Appams
Never ever knew the fact of “Ghee Roast being one of the most popular delicacies of Mangalore”. Visiting Coastal Spices was a sort of eye opener for me to the other culinary world. Prawns in any form would be edible and that’s my true love for Prawns. Prawns Fried / Blanched / Steamed / Sautéed / Stir Fried, serve me Prawns in any form and I would go head over heels for sure. I can proudly say; Prawns Ghee Roast was one of those dishes that made me lick my fingers.
Prawns Ghee Roast with Neer Dosa was heavenly. The lip smacking Ghee Roast Gravy with Piping Hot and Soft Neer Dosa and Appam’s were simply amazing. Heard the Original Recipe of Ghee Roast would make you sweat like crazy, leave you with a runny nose and watery eyes. This was not the case with the Ghee Roast served at Coastal Spices. The entire Gyaan was captured during the discussions with the people around. Each and every helping of Prawns Ghee Roast was lapped up with Neer Dosa and Appam. Even before we could realize, we were left with No Prawns Ghee Roast to go.
This was the indication that we were ready for more and the more was a blessing in disguise. My Love for Sea Food has taken me to a number of places. Barbeque Nation, one of my favorite restaurants for their Prawns Starters and Crab in the main course. I set my sight on the next dish in offing, Crab Ghee Roast. I did ensure to tell him to make it a tad bit spicier than the earlier Prawns Ghee Roast.
Crab Ghee Roast with Tandoori Roti
Crab Ghee Roast and Prawns Ghee Roast share the same base dish of Ghee Roast. What surprised me the most were the Crabs served in the dish, they were well cooked, super succulent and a bit soft shelled and delectable to the core. It took us no more than 3.21312 seconds to get down to the dirty business of devouring the Crab Ghee Roast. If I was asked to choose the better of the two, Crab Ghee Roast wins over Prawns Ghee Roast, hands down. The Tandoori Roti’s were a mere formality; the star dish was devoured as is. I would keep going back for Crab Ghee Roast for the days to come.
Naatu Kodi Biryani
Being an ardent fan of country chicken, I could not let go off this opportunity to taste the Naatu Kodi Biryani. Would have loved the Naatu Kodi Biryani being a bit spicier than how it was.
My Parameters of judging a Biryani are simple: When I have a Biryani, I should not have the urge of mixing the accompaniments like Mirchi ka Saalan or Dahi ki Chutney with the Biryani. Very few places serve Biryani of this sort, Prince Hotel at Mehdipatnam, Hotel Alpha at Secunderabad, Hotel Sham at Moosrambagh, Hotel Sohail Waves at Malakpet are some of the places, and I would love having biryani again and again. These are the places, where I do not have to add the accompaniments to either enhance or mask the flavors. Coastal Spices was one of those places, I would add to the list of “Love Having Biryani at Places”.
Coming back to the Naatu Kodi part of the dish, compared to Broiler Chicken, Naatu Kodi Chicken has a unique and strong flavor. The meat does differ between the Farm Range Country Chicken and Fed on Chemicals Broiler Chicken.
The juicy rice with the well-cooked county chicken pieces were devoured before I could realize, I was done with the Pulao served. If you are wondering, why I call this a Pulao, the method of cooking this dish tends to make it a Pulao as opposed to being a Biryani. Naatu Kodi Pulao would be most apt term for this dish and there is no second thought about it. I would be back for more of Naatu Kodi Pulao at Coastal Spices.
A Special Thanks by the person, who was waiting us:
Enchanted by the enthusiasm and zeal with which, I was enjoying the food and also clicking pictures of the same, the person waiting us at Coastal Spices made a special offer, a “
Thanks for visiting us” offer. We were treated with a special complimentary Ice Cream, all courtesy Coastal Spices Management. Thanks for Kind Gesture. I generally am not a Desert’s person, especially during Lunch. This was an exception as the desert was showered with loads of love from everyone, who all were a part of our Gastronomical Adventure at Coastal Spices. Thanks a lot for the kind gesture again.
All Said and Done, Coastal Spices is a place, I would keep going back again and again, as it had loads to offer.