From bakeries and gourmet cafes to five star resorts, Kodaikanal’s kitchens have a zest for organic, churning out recipes from scratch. Cheeses, herbs and vegetables are procured farm fresh. The laid-back atmosphere of a small town is deceptive. Restaurants and cafes bustle about to cater to the busy crowds of the season.
Cafe Cariappa
A miniature gourmet coffee house for true coffee lovers, Cafe Cariappa is a delightful nook with tables on barrels and wood panelled walls. Alongside, they serve hot Belgian waffles with chocolate syrup and honey, carrot cake and organic muffins. Sandwiches are filled with cheese and mustard from Caroselle, specialty cheese maker from Pethuparai. Kishore Cariappa’s dream was sparked by environmental interests and a yen to grow organic coffee. Purchasing a small farm 35 km from Kodaikanal, Cariappa set out to preserve the natural ecosystem engaging the local Mannadiyars, early agricultural settlers. The single origin coffee at the cafe is pure Arrabica, a premium brand. Cariappa roasts and grinds the coffee beans, all in-house, with his specially procured Italian machines. An elephant drinking coffee from a cup adorns the brown Kraft packaging with Cariappa’s trademark stamp ‘Origin Palani Hills’. He says, “I want this to be a revolutionary centre for ecology where coffee is the meeting point.” As coffee grows in the shade, trees are never cut in his estate. Elephants do visit the Cariappas and my bet is Kishore wishes they drink his coffee!
JS Heritage Complex, PT Road
Pastry Corner
If you have driven up the Ghats late afternoon, missed lunch and hit the in-between hour, never fret. Pastry Corner, the popular bakery will cater to a snappy luncheon and anytime snack. You can make your own sandwiches with their country-style, robust and fresh round-top breads. Owner Prasanna will insist that you eat it the same day and this is usually not a problem. In stock, but fast moving are his splendid jams made from peach, pear and plum grown locally. Pick up their piquant pizza slices with tomato and grated cheese, muffins, cream puffs, cinnamon rolls and pastries with generous dollops of fresh cream. They make crunchy, mouth-melting ice cream with fresh fruit in seasonal flavours. Favourites are pear, plum, mango, chickoo and butter-scotch. Hot coffee is always available made with freshly ground beans.
Pastry Corner is near Indian Bank by 7 Roads Junction and at Spencers
The Cheese Shop
The Cheese Shop stocks a fabulous variety of cheeses, pesto, tangy mustard and fondue. Visitors grab the flavoured cheddars - green chilli, garlic and pepper and Cumin Gouda. Caesar’s Chocolates by Manna compares with any international brand. Flavours include rum and raisin, dates and honey, marzipan, almond nougat and orange, individually wrapped for freshness.
At Venus Cottage, Observatory Road near BSNL Office
Cloud Street
Housed in a rather innocuous building, this quaint eatery can be easily missed. A friendly setting of cane chairs, a spotless tiled floor and soothing blues and fusion set the prelude for a compelling gourmet meal. For soups, pick from creamy potato or spinach. Wood fired pizzas 10” and 14” are made in a real brick oven and slathered with cheese, layers fatter than the delicate thin crust they rest on. “Cloud Street is a passion not a business”, says Chef Binsen with enthusiasm about owners Michael and Tanya. They recommend the Anchovy and Roasted Onion Pizza and sizzlers, for starters “a very different hummus and pita.” Our favourite veggie picks were the spinach-mushroom and pesto-tomato pizzas. If you want a heftier meal, go for the pepper steak or barbeque chicken. Revel in a lasagne or Spaghetti Neapolitan. They offer just three desserts, but you’ll keep going back for more – a spongy moist lemon cake, a coffee-walnut cake and brownies, baked European style.
Opposite Kodaikanal Tourist Office, P.T Road, Kodaikanal
The Carlton
With architecture that combines stone, wood and glass, the oldest heritage resort of Kodaikanal, The Carlton, rarely fails to deliver. Meals are designed for the climate and altitude of the hills – fibre rich with less fat and lightly spiced, bringing out the natural flavours of ingredients. Pick from a soul-satisfying, innovative menu from East and West – a variety of pastas, lasagne, kadai paneer and a choice of meats - succulent Madurai Mutton Masala, grilled fish or their famous kozhi vartara curry. Starters tempt – an amazing Sabji Platter with marinated mushrooms, cauliflower potato and paneer tikka or murgh tikka. Delve into a fresh Kodai tossed salad with herbs or cheddar salad. The Kodai herbal soup is great for the nippy weather. Naans and phulkas are crisp and light. Desserts delight -chocolate triple pastry, apple strudel and hot jalebis with rabadi. A happy sojourn with nature, the ambience of Carlton with a wonderful lake view is irreplaceable. A gaggle of white geese on their spread of green lawn may turn up to surprise. Evenings, a logwood fire crackles in the foyer. To further warm up, visit the bar – End of the Road.
Lake Road near 7 Roads Junction
