Who can say no to a yummy feast of authentic North Indian dishes that includes parathas, phulkas and paneers? Karmachandran and his wife, Mallika Karmachandran, attempt to recreate the magic of authentic North Indian delicacies through their newly-opened vegetarian restaurant in the city – Up North.
“Our son Halas, a die-hard foodie, is the inspiration behind Up North,” says Karmachandran, who is a former army officer. “Halas, who used to work in the hospitality industry, is a big fan of North Indian delicacies. It was, in fact, his idea to set up an authentic North Indian restaurant so that he could have his favourite dishes whenever he is in town!,” he says.
Karmachandran and Mallika have pulled out all stops to ensure an authentic dining experience for their customers. “All our cooks are from the North and are well-experienced in a melange of North Indian cuisines,” says Mallika. “A lot of effort has gone into finalising every dish we have in our menu. From selecting the perfect ingredients for each dish, to ensuring the right cooking style, we have done our best to add a home-made touch to the food we serve,” she adds.
The beautiful abstract paintings on the walls catch my eye as I step into the neat a restaurant. I make myself comfortable in one of the cosy seats and scan the menu, which featured some of the popular dishes from the north. Dishes such as Paneer pakoda, Aloo chaat and kebabs were some of the appetisers whereas phulka, Punjabi paratha and Aloo paratha were listed under the breads section. Rice dishes such as steamed, fried and special fried rice were also available, along with biriyani, pulao and Dal Kichdi.
The menu also featured a neat assortment of paneer dishes, including favourites such as Paneer 65, Shahi Paneer, Paneer Tikka Masala, Paneer Manchurian and Paneer Makhni. There was also Mixed Vegetable Sabzi, Mushroom Masala, Malai Kofta, Gobi Manchurian and Paneer Manchurian, to name a few. The list of desserts was shorter – just Gajar Ka Halwa, ice cream and the irresistible Gulab Jamun.
Since most of the dishes were in the list of my favourites, I was at a loss regarding what to order. Realising my dilemma, Mallika suggested that I try out a little each of the restaurant’s popular dishes, which I happily accepted. Within no time, I was served a piece each of bhatura, phulka, Punjabi paratha, and Aloo paratha, along with a little vegetable biriyani. The side dishes included Paneer Makhni, Soya Manchurian, Dal Tadka and Dal Makhni.
The soft and crispy bhatura tasted well with the Paneer Makhni – which was easily my pick of the day. I simply could not have enough of the soft paneer chunks! Aloo paratha and the koftas were also worth mention. Soya Manchurian, prepared by simmering deep-fried, soya balls in soya sauce, was also quite palatable and went well with the breads and the biriyani. Too full for desserts, I wrapped up a filling meal, which was memorable for the balanced taste of the dishes and the authentic style of cooking.
Up North is located adjacent to the petrol pump at Vazhuthacaud. The restaurant is open between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. Contact: 9846974271 or 0471-2338373
