Mahabs - a Live-ly Kitchen

Mamallapuram, doesn't sound like a very exotic destination for someone with culinary interest, does it? Well going by the first impression of this small town in Tamil Nadu, it certainly seemed like a place which would have a limited array of traditional South Indian food to offer, on a kelaa pattal of course.

My first glance at the menu card of the Santana Sea View Restaurant proved me wrong. There was more to offer than just Idli-Vada-Sambhar or Sea Food cooked in Chettinad style. In all shapes and sizes.

Our next stop was the Good Luck Café - a rooftop restaurant. Whether this café actually brought me good luck or not is yet to be seen, but it definitely had the most positive vibes. A calm ambience with a mixed tape playing on very low volume gelled brilliantly with the rhythm of the coastal waves. The USP of Café Good Luck, a raised platform with a few low lying tables and floor seating. A colourful riot of Tibetan Prayer Flags and paper lampshades adorned the thatched roof and amidst all this, right in the centre, was a Fish - a big, blue, psychedelic fish, flying in all directions!

A serene sunset is complimented by a range of teas offered by almost all cafes in Mahabs. From a glass of simple black tea to the complicated, but delicious Ginger Lemon Honey Tea, with small floating chunks of ginger, served with honey on the side goes well with toast, butter and jam.

Dinner can be a lavish affair in this town. Owing to their daily fresh catch, the restaurants serve an extensive range of seafood. A variety of Prawns and Calamari, along with fries, rice, mashed potatoes or boiled veggies on the side are a delight to the eyes, the olfactory senses and of course, one's taste buds. Their main attraction - Live Lobsters. Although the experience costs a bomb, it sure must be worth choosing a Lobster from their tank and served on a grilled platter over a colourful table top.

After the blitzkrieg through my stomach and a good night's sleep, breakfast is a choice of eggs, fresh juices or once again, chai.

This tiny fisherman's colony neither has a glamorous dining experience, nor an elaborate spread of meals. But it surely has an inviting aroma every time you pass by a café, and a lip smacking menu scribbled on the blackboards outdoors.

2 Minutes

On our way back to Dehradun from Mussoorie, our eyes were on an eager lookout for the famous 'maggi points'. Some dull red chairs scattered in front of a small, flimsy hut caught our attention. The driver of our car, lost in the meandering ghats, replied after the third time we asked,

' भैया, यहाँ maggi मिलती है ?

जी हाँ, मिल जायेगी '

Ek cup chai was sipped as we saw a pahaadi guy boil water, chop vegetables, mix all ingredients and finally add his own tastemaker recipe.

Sitting on the edge of a ghat on a three legged chair, two packets of the ever'green' Uncle Chips, the most satisfying maggi ever, and my companion. Four delights which stood out in the small bheed which thronged The Maggi Point.