Suddenly, there are quite a few restaurants in the National Capital Region that serve the food of the southern states. At one time, all we were exposed to were idlis and dosas. Today, each sub region of the four states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh is clearly defined in Delhi’s restaurants. Spice Water Trail by the Alchemist Group goes that extra mile to ensure that the food is a mix of home style and commercial cooking. Thus, the Chettinad and the Syrian Christian menu is virtually the same as you would get in the homes of these two communities. But there’s more: the Gomantak/Malwani favourite Fried Bombil or Bombay Duck makes its appearance, and guess what! It is one of the hottest selling dishes in the elegant restaurant with its accents of dark wood. That piece of news is a pleasant surprise, because traditionally, North Indians are wary of seafood that they’re not familiar with.
Other best sellers include the mini idlis that have been sautéed in podi spices, as well as the fiery Chicken Ghee Roast. My personal favourite is the Kerala section, where home-style dishes like Tenderloin Chilli Fry and Meen Vevichathu rule the roost, mopped up with appams. The best part about the restaurant is the sheer depth of its menu. If you want a gastronomic treat of lobsters and crabs, they are on offer here. If you are a homesick Bangalorean wanting a beer and a Bisi Bele Huli Anna, there’s that too, and if you want food with an Iyer touch from Tamil Nadu, help yourself.
This is one of the few restaurants in Delhi to offer tender coconut water as a cold drink. It is also a rare restaurant where the manager plus all the chefs are from the South, so you can even customize your order yet be sure you will get what you want.
