Off season in touristy Fort Cochin is a drab affair. But the ongoing burger fest at boutique hotel Malabar House has managed to bring cheer to wet days. It has perked up many out of their homes to relish the American staple. “Everybody loves a burger,” says Chef Manoj Nair who crafted the fest but he and his colleague Chef Midhun are completely surprised by the increase in the number of footfalls — all for a bite of the burger. “Come rain or shine the burger will have takers,” says Manoj.
Popular as the burger is yet the talented chefs have experimented and used every trick in the trade to raise the burger bar. The fun in fusing styles or serving the unalloyed classic has been skilfully used. The most ingenious one I thought is the crab Kerala, where a crab meat patty done in coconut oil is placed loosely atop an open bun and topped with stir fried cabbage and carrot, done ‘thoran’ style. It is a terrific twist to the Yankee food spiced with Keralan flavours. The lamb vindaloo burger is a Goan flavoured patty sandwiched between rather big bread buns, very filling with its rather large portions, a la American style. The in-house baked bread is done to chef’s standards.
Grilled fillet of fish, catch of the day is served in European style with caramelised onion and Tartare sauce. The most popular choice, as hotel staff points out, is the chicken fillet burger served with the regular calorie rich 1,000 island dressing. Beef makes for the classic meat with burger and here two versions are on the menu — the classic beef burger done to your choice (rare, medium or well- done) and the other is the super burger (Rs.530), a double-decker delight, a fat beef fillet slapped with rich velvety smooth cheese and topped with grilled bacon and fried egg. It is supremely sinful, fat-wise and delightful food wise.
For vegetarians the paneer burger with thick date chutney is a wholesome, tasty offering. The burgers come with a choice of potato wedges, tapioca fritters, sweet potato crisps or pumpkin fritters. Each order gets you a drink at a reduction, a nice little offer to make a burger better.
The fest is on till mid July and the burger can be had any time of the day
