Calicut Diaries

Calicut was always in our go to travel destination just for the love of food. So as a foodie we embarked on this culinary experience. I am not the first one to write on the Calicut culinary expertise nor would be the last one but am sure there is one thing common experienced by all of us i.e The hosting culture, The literary culture, The humility in their behaviour and the respect to the travellers. You don't need your vehicle here to drive around the city. The local autorickshaws are available everywhere and they don't cheat you. Only meter charges and Only the correct route. The north of Kerala has been traditionally the hosting capitals in kerala. Having travelled to 11 out of the 14 districts in Kerala....Palakkad, Trichur, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kannur, Kozhikode, Trivandrum, Kollam, Idukki, Malappuram and Pathanamthitta. Kasargod, Wayanad and Kottayam pending can say with conviction that Calicut to Kannur people by far are the best in hosting.Even though everybody mentions Thrissur as the culture capital of Kerala, I find Kozhikode as the arts, music and literature capital of Kerala if not India. No wonder UNESCO has conferred this title too. Reading libraries are rampant with good collection of books in and around the city. 

Was fortunate to visit several famous eateries like the Ambica Mess for its sumptuous fish meals with Kingfish fry, Prawns fry ( exactly as my dad prepared), Black Promfret fry and end it up with some Pineapple juice. Then Bombay Restaurant by the beach for its snacks like Poricha patthiri, bread porichathadu and special tea, fish curry with Porotta for breakfast, then The famous hotel Paragon (since 1939) for its chicken biryani, porotta, Fish Mulakkaitadda, Pathiri, Mutton Roast with fresh slices of bread ending with a Elaneer pudding and Mohabbatinde Sulaimani. The breakfast at Sagar Restaurant was as exquisite as the others the Puttu, the Green Gram ( Cheruvayar) curry, Egg Curry, Appam and Porotta. One of the latest additions is the restaurant called "The shap". We tasted the Pothichoru and the Tapioca ( Kappa) with Kandhari Chammandi and Mulaga Chammandi. All this in 1.5 days of our stay in Calicut. The Ist day was a vegetarian day and that did not disappoint too. Our driver recommended us this brilliant vegetarian hotel called Gulmohar and for the Ist time in kerala we tasted something good in North Indian dishes. That gave us another reason to come back to this city sometime later to try some more including what remained in our list.

Incidentally, Malayalam Manorama happened to host it's Arts, Music and Literature feat called Hortus 2024 ( Kannaam, Kelkaam , Mindaam) in Kozhikode beach from Nov 1 to Nov 3. We were fortunate enough to visit that and enjoy good vibes all around. A giant book festival as well as many forms of art were being displayed, discussed and some were live in around 20 or more venues in the beach.

Leaving you with some video links of the journey.

Bye for now.. Untill next time some other city..some other experience...just for the love of food.

Paribhramin