Hello guys. Lately, I have been having biryani craving. Yes, thats right, one can crave and keep craving biryanis as well not just ice-creams, chocolates and cigarettes. I have gone around our wonderful Kochi in search of that ultimate biryani bliss. Believe me when I tell you that the stuff thats out there on offer is less than impressive; especially if you are biryani buff like me. I felt bad actually. One of our local favourites is now a taken for granted thing. They call it biryani, they call it dum biryani. Call it anything but I felt the authenticity has been lost in many of our local biryani places. Most of the time, I was served some ghee rice with a few pieces of hard to bite, hard to chew chicken.

At Ela, the chicken biryani was utterly disappointing. For 75 bucks I was served some rice and poorly cooked chicken. It wasn’t even masalafied enough. South Star (Bimbis) would probably get the honour of serving the worst biryani in town and I am not even going to elaborate on it. Malabar Plaza on the way to Kakkanad served up an alright biryani but it wasn’t dum and plus the two pieces of chicken looked, felt and tasted different from each other. I didn’t get and only ended up eating little chicken and too much rice. Along the same road you can find Biryani Hut. Now, keeping Pizza Hut in mind, you would tend to think Biryani Hut might be the ultimate. Again, I was completely let down. I had gone with a friend of mine and we both got two different looking, different tasting biryanis. Thankfully mine was the more edible one (plus I was hungry). They either need to improve the biryani or change their name.

Khader’s Biryani in Pioneer Towers is a tiny little place with seating for not more than 12 people but the biryani is commendable. The quantity and the quality is good. The downside is that because its so cramped, you hardly have any elbow room to actually enjoy your biryani in peace. Then there is Mubaraq opposite Kaloor bus stand. Again, the place is too cramped, hot and if you go there during peak lunch hours then its way too crowded and you might find yourselves waiting out in sunny heat for a couple of minutes. The biryani was ok but certainly not worth that much pain. Then there is Jaybees and Ceebees in Palarivattom. The biryanis where average but served with very little hospitality or authenticity. Hotel Sani near Town Hall just off the North bridge serves up average biryani but I don’t think you want to leave your car on the bridge, inside the HP pump or just in front of the town hall gate. In most of these places I am not even served eenthapazham (dates) achaar along with the biryani. Usually the chicken pieces are either too rough or undercooked with very little of the traditional masalas or aromas.

Then we have Kayees near TDM hall opposite the Durbar Hall. I had to take a token and wait and thats not cool when you are really craving for a biryani. Now the biryani, what should I say? Hmm…you know the kind of stuff you would probably serve your pet doggy, the yellow colour, sloppy rice the entire works. Yuck. I shall stop there. Kayees is way too over rated.

At Ceylon Bakehouse, I would give them a 6 out of 10 because I liked their rice and thats pretty much it. Now I am sure there many more outlets serving up biryanis but certainly not one where you could comfortably sit down with a friend or your family members; well apart from going to star rated hotels. There is Thali Family Restaurant and Arabian Fiesta both in Kadavanthra but again disappointing.

Where is my biryani? Where can I comfortably eat one, be confident about the hygiene and most importantly the taste and authenticity? Okay, by now you guys might have heard of a new cafe restaurant called Somewhere Else on Cheruparampath Road. They have now turned slightly more Kochi since Republic Day and Kochivibe loves anything and everything Kochi. Somewhere Else now serves up Dum Biryani and I thought I’d give it a shot. Alright parking can be a problem during day time but the biryani is simply fantastic. I hereby solemnly declare the truth and nothing but the truth (with my hand firmly placed over the Kochivibe logo) that Somewhere Else serves up the best biryani in town. It was by far the best chicken biryani I have ever had. The aroma itself floored me. The rice perfectly cooked. The chicken deliciously soft yet firm enough. The traditional mix of masalas and dry fruits is simply to die for. The biryani is served along with simple raita with diced onions and green chillies and, yes finally, dates achaar. And you know the place. Its cool, comfy, roomy, and airy. I think its the perfect offering. All this for 75 bucks is great news for all you biryani lovers out there. Check this biryani out. I really really recommend it and in fact I am writing this after a double biryani meal. I am satisfied. I am satisfied.