Intestine curries and bone marrow, locally known as 'mutticharu sadya or 'potti and mutti', were a must at the wedding eves in the Latin Catholic homes of coastal areas. Old people would even create a ruckus if they are not served a large bone with juicy marrow in it. Now, if you crave for some tasty ‘mutti’, then head to Al Saj hotel near Mahilayam Junction on the banks of the Aluva River. The eatery has become famous for its special mutti (beef shank) gravy. This is the perfect place if you are a non veg lover. You could enjoy some delicious meat dishes while listening to live music.
The hard bone with its juicy marrow swims in a spicy and flavoursome gravy. The soft, flaky nool porotta is the right combination with it. There aren’t any secret ingredients that make the bone marrow dish extra special. You could, however, taste the incredible flavours of coriander powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder and masala powder. Besides, shallots, onion, green chilies and garlic too are generously added. The thick and aromatic gravy is a flavour bomb. The bone is cooked in this gravy for almost 8 hours on low flame. By that time, the shallots, onions and garlic would get melted in the sauce. Meanwhile, the fat from the marrow gets dissolved in it, adding oodles of flavour that excite your taste buds. The gravy is so thick that you could scoop it using four fingers.
The meat around the bone is cut into a few pieces before serving the dish. The soft meat that has been cooked for 8 hours would just melt in your mouth. Meanwhile, the nool porotta too would soak up the goodness of the sauce and the marrow.
Octopus fried on hot tawa is another highlight here. Fresh octopus is marinated in chili flakes, vinegar, olive oil, chili powder, tomato sauce and a few secret ingredients by the chef. You could wash it down with fresh jackfruit juice. Cooked jackfruit is loosened by adding milk to make this special juice.
Al Saj boasts a seating capacity of more than six hundred chairs. Their chatti choru served only for the lunch service is a super hit item. The restaurant opens at 11 am and serves good food until 11 pm.