About Dakshin Coastal, ITC Maratha, Mumbai
Many would say that you really can?t screw up South Indian food but we beg to differ. The cuisine although looks simple, has in it sheer complexity that baffles us. The amount of finesse used to bring the spices together and get that perfect balance of flavours takes some serious skills. Not many South Indian serving restaurants can claim to achieve that intricate balance but there are some places on our gourmet map that have earned their spot by consistent great food. ITC Maratha plays host to several fantastic restaurants including a South Indian one too. The place goes by traditional name of ?Dakshin Coastal?, which in itself explains everything. This establishment is one of the best South Indian serving restaurants in Mumbai and takes deep pride in it. Dakshin Coastal is a decadent experience. Take time with it.
If you have a foodie friend who lusts after seafood then take him to Dakshin Coastal. After all, its menu comprises mostly of dishes from South Indian coastal belt. You will find dishes from Kerala and Chettinad regions here with emphasis put on succulent seafood preparations. The menu is not excessively long, which is a good thing. Whatever is there, is cooked to perfection. Skip the alcoholic drinks and start your meal with something traditional to drink. You have a choice between rasam or neer more. Nibble alongside on, vadai, kozhi roast, sundal, neetha kori, Iyer?s specials and karwar yetti fry. With couple of idiappams or veechu parotta relish the curries. Pandi roast, chapa pulusu, tarkari padhartha, meen jeeri meri, ishtoo, patchakari stew, kai pidi chops, meen kujit, nadang kozhi curry, gutti vankai koora, nandu melagu peratti and malla yetti gassi, will do wonderfully.
End your evening by sampling some of Dakshin Coastal?s traditional regional desserts. Savour a morsel of, basundi, kadal pacchee, elaneer payasam, adai pradhaman and badam halwa. A cup of South Indian filter coffee will act as the perfect conclusion to a grand evening. Dakshin Coastal is not at all cheap but the experience will be sublime. To convey the South Indian theme small details are added to transport one to the regional restaurants of South India. From banana leaf lined metal plates to brass diyas to natraj statue, everything reminds you of South India. The look is elegant and classy, as expected of a posh five star establishment.
Features
Insider Tips
- The idea behind Dakshin Coastal was to tap into Mumbai's love for Malvani sea food and the craze, encouraged by Trishna, for large crabs. They've junked that idea by and large, so there is nothing very coastal about it
- Some things about the original Dakshin concept are worth preserving. The restaurant does a vada of the day which is always a safe choice
- Though this is not what the restaurant claims for itself, I sometimes feel it is at its best when you order a simple, light and entirely authentic South Indian vegetarian meal
