Kanyakumari, a land where the azure sea meets the sky, is a perfect destination to indulge in some lip-smacking seafood. And where better to enjoy it than at the iconic Hotel Sea View? Offering a picturesque view of the sea and a welcoming ambiance, this restaurant is an absolute delight for food lovers.
Ambience and Setting:
Hotel Sea View is aptly named – the restaurant offers stunning space, complemented by soft, ambient lighting and a cool setup that enhances the dining experience. The decor is simple yet elegant, with comfortable seating arrangements that invite you to relax and relish the food.
Diving Into the Menu:
The menu is expansive, with a wide array of options for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. From soups and salads to starters, main courses, and desserts, the list is long. However, our focus was on three standout seafood starters that stole the show!
Seafood Starters to Die For:
- Crab Masala: Spicy and aromatic, the Crab Masala is a must-try. The onion masala is richly spiced, with a vibrant red hue contrasted by the green curry leaves. Each bite of the crab is juicy, tender, and absolutely divine.
- Grilled Prawn Salad: Grilled prawns tossed with sautéed onions, capsicum, and carrots in a flavorful soy sauce dressing. The prawns are perfectly cooked – soft and succulent – and the tangy dressing adds a zesty kick.
- Meen Polichathu: A quintessential Kerala-style dish, the fish is wrapped in banana leaves and grilled to perfection. The masala coating is aromatic and flavorful, with a subtle smoky taste that elevates the dish.
Accompaniments and Mains: To balance the spicy starters, we opted for the mildly flavored ghee rice – aromatic and fluffy, perfect for pairing with seafood.
Poorna chose the South Indian vegetarian thali, a wholesome spread that includes dal, sambar, rasam, mor kuzhambu, three veggies, kootu, poriyal, pachadi, yogurt, pickle, payasam, and papad. Every bite was a nostalgic reminder of homestyle comfort food.
For the main course, we tried the Chicken Biriyani. Mildly spiced and served with a boiled egg and tender chicken leg piece, it tasted more like a pulao than a robust biriyani.
Desserts and Beverages: To end our meal on a sweet note, we indulged in a classic caramel pudding – smooth, soft, and melt-in-your-mouth perfection. The iced lemon tea was a refreshing pick for the hot afternoon, and the fruit salad with ice cream added a burst of fresh flavors.
Our Verdict: While the seafood starters and desserts were definite winners, the biriyani fell a bit short of expectations. Nevertheless, the overall experience at Hotel Sea View was satisfying, with its serene ambiance and flavorful dishes making it a worthwhile stop in Kanyakumari.