Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Entertainment | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

Courting food, three-in-one

Food courts are becoming popular in the city. The latest to conquer city palates is the Abad Food Court with Chinese, Indian, Continental and Malaysian cuisines

Photo: Mahesh Harilal

FOOD FACTOR The ambience is cool as are the choices of food at the Abad Food Court, just opened at Marine Drive

It is a view to eat for, really. And it is in the heart of the city. As you step into Bay Pride Mall, and specifically to Abad Food Court, you forget the mad rush, heat, and the traffic... in short the chaos outside. The view that greets as you step into the food court is simply breathtaking... the backwaters prove to be a balm for frayed nerves.

The latest addition to food courts in the city, what makes Abad Food Court different is that it is probably the only eating joint that offers Malaysian cuisine, or more precisely a couple of typically Malaysian combos such as `Nasi Lemak,' (nasi is rice in Malay, in case you wondered), Chicken Rice and `Laksa' (a kind of soup). Although the food court has three counters - Potpourri, Mark Pi and Marrybrown. Potpourri is Abad's in-house speciality counter while Mark Pi and Marrybrown are outlets of popular international food chains.

What the food court offers is a three-in-one eating option, the menu is extensive. Potpourri menu has the usual fare such as dosas, vadas, biriyani, sandwiches, rolls and pastries besides beverages such as thick shakes, cold drinks and soft drinks.

The food court boasts of the city's first Marrybrown outlet, which serves burgers - basic, classic and specialities such as `Chilly cheese burger' and the `Hotouch Burger.' There are also chicken burger, fish burger, vegetable burger, and Golden Nuggets. Then there are flexible meal options and combos such as fries, wedges, smileys or onion rings with soft drinks. Marrybrown is one of Malaysia's largest food chains. The outlet at the food court also serves rice-based meals, served the traditional Malaysian way with salted peanuts and accompaniments. And if you want to scrimp on the calories there are clear soups and salads too.

Mark Pi's Chinese food counter is another first in the city. It has the usual Manchurians, spring rolls and noodles, besides certain interesting dishes such as momos. The presentation of momos is interesting, the momos are served in a cylindrical bamboo box / dish. Mark Pi is a specialty Chinese food restaurant chain with outlets in the American Midwest and Korea. The counter offers single and double meal combos as well. The desserts at the food court are in keeping with the fast food mould - chocolate cake, apple pie, brownie with ice cream, pineapple pie with ice cream and also ice cream and lemon pie and jumbo sundae among others.

The décor is smart, in keeping with the `fast food joint look.' You have the option of sitting inside and see the backwaters, or sit out in the verandah and enjoy your grub. Abad Food Court is an ideal place for a working lunch, if you are in a rush and want to grab a quick bite. Parking, however, would be a problem although there is ample space outside Baypride Mall, getting in is a problem because the buses that stop at the Marine Drive bus stop block entry into the Mall. The best part of the food court is that the food is reasonably priced, and the combo meals are a good deal.

SHILPA NAIR ANAND

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail