When the world of science talks about time and space travel, you just have to go to this wonderful restaurant in Thrissur to experience that. Sulaimani 168 takes you straight to Malabar with its incredible ambiance and mood. More than a 'themed restaurant,' Sulaimani gives you a glimpse of the world of Beypore Sultan, Vaikom Muhammed Basheer.
The Malabar culture, mirrored in Basheer's writings, has been recreated here, along with an unconventional yet subtle Malabari kitchen. Where else can you find dishes such as 'aana chavittiyath' (trampled by elephant) and 'banana missile'? Sulaimani's menu also boasts of items such as irachi cheeripanjathu (meat on the race), Shakeela (dedicated to the actor who made soft-porn mainstream) and Amar Akbar Antony. Yes, this restaurant offers some unique dishes with an irresistible Malabari touch.
Head straight on the very buzzy Ikkanda Warrier road towards Jubilee Mission Hospital in Thrissur and find a bamboo paneled food destination on your right. Never think twice to stop and rush in, you've got a call to 'be in' Thalayolapparambu, the birth place of the writer.
The life and writings of Basheer are all over the wall, accompanied by short, striking quotes. The floor has been lightened up with antique hurricane, a fixture in most of his works. Several of his books have been exhibited too, including the very nostalgic 'Balyakala Sakhi', 'Ntuppooppaakkoru aanendaarnnu', 'Premalekhanam' and 'Mathilukal'.
The food court welcomes everybody with a sulaimani (a special variant of Malabari lemon tea) served in a very conventional glass vial. Like anywhere else in Malabar, the hot whisper of tangy biriyani rice under dum can be heard and felt from the moment you drop in. The restaurant wraps the food in a plantain leaf and would heat it before serving, to render a hearty aroma to the dish. Finely presented dishes served in generous quantity make Sulaimani 168 a perfect hangout place for gourmets. It also offers a variety of tea-time snacks such as unnakkaya and pathiri to engage eager foodies.
Trust us when we say Sulaimani satisfies a foodie's hunger against the monotony of cuisines and food nomenclature. Imagine this: you are about to leave a few coins as tip and suddenly you notice a manuscript on the wall saying “Badukkoose! Anne padachon kandkkanu.” (Useless fellow, God is watching you). Sulaimani effectively deconstructs a range of stereotypes regarding 'eating.' In other words, for them, food is not just an affair with the stomach.
