Thiruvananthapuram, a city where anything sweet sells like hot cakes has a new item on its sweet list - donuts! Donut House, a newly launched eatery, attempts to create the magic of donuts for those with a sweet tooth.
It was the passion to pursue something he loved, which made Robin Mathew, the man behind the venture, quit his job with British Petroleum in Australia, and head home. “Being a foodie my dream was to start a food joint. I felt there would be a demand for donuts in the city and a market survey verified my instincts. Surprisingly, it is not teenagers, but people in their mid 30s, especially those who have had some international exposure, which has emerged as the largest customer base,” says Robin.
He goes on to say: “This business is not just about the money but also about the smile that a donut brings on a kid’s face.”
The pricing is on the brighter side, with all donuts priced at Rs. 60 and a box of 12 available at the price of nine.
“Quality is something which we don’t compromise on and I believe a quality product will eventually fetch loyal customers. We aspire to meet international quality standards while catering to the local tastes,” says Robin, when asked about his business philosophy.
The joint has an open kitchen where customers can observe the entire process of dough to donut. Customers will also be taken on a guided tour of the kitchen on request, but only after wearing head gear and sanitising their hands.
“We have 40 varieties of donuts catering to all tastes, from sweet to savoury. We have Italian spices and chilli cheese, which is spicy. It’s also possible to customise the donuts. We are also in the process of experimenting with jaggery to create an Onam special donut,” says Robin.
I ordered the classic glazed donut and the ‘alien’ donut, which Robin insisted I should try. The donuts were delectable and the dark chocolate filling in the alien donut topped with milk chocolate flakes created a web of sweetness in my mouth. The double white donut, which had white chocolate filling and toppings, was truly a double delight. I also tried a chilli cheese donut, which was spicy but not as ‘donuty’ for my taste buds. I chose Assam tea from the wide assortment of cold and hot beverages available to wash down all that sweetness. But you know the thing about donuts right? They stay on in your heart!
Donut House is located opposite MG College, Kesavadasapuram, and is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on all days except Sundays. Contact: 0471-4060004 .
