THERE ISN’T A PALATE MORE DIVERSE THAN AN INDIAN ONE. AND YOU’D BE HARD PRESSED TO FIND THAT KIND OF VARIETY FROM JUST A SINGLE SECTION OF THE COUNTRY ANYWHERE ELSE.
One of the earnest ideas behind The Permit Room is to introduce people to the sheer variety of traditional South Indian cuisine, but with a modern-day take on it. Essentially it's recipes from your ajji's (Kannada for grandma) kitchen, but served in a rather modern, and also cocktail-friendly form. Your ajji may or may not approve.
Spice, spice, baby!
This time around, we pay homage to the quintessential staple of every Indian household.
Whether in the form of bottles bought from the convenient store, or jars that seem to leak oil no matter how you store them, every Indian household will have some form of pickle.
Most Indians have fond memories from their childhood of the matriarch (or patriarch even) spending warm Summer days cutting and drying fruit and vegetable on the building terrace on sheets of newspaper, warding off birds and squirrels with a vengeance.
Only after many days of drying and many minutes of close inspection are these dried bits dunked in oil and other secret masala recipes, where they are made to stew for what seems like an unfairly long time.
And then, once they have passed the ‘one finger dip in pickle’ tasting test are they introduced with much pride to the rest of the family and few deserving neighbours.
While it’s not a dish in itself, but oh, the wonders it does in a meal!
Whether it’s a hint of searing spice or the comfortable indulgence of a sweet & sour flavour, nothing elevates the existing flavours on our your plate quite like pickles.
And the same holds true for your drink.
One of the simplest sides to a drink, employed by every local bar in your area, is a pickle. Just a little hint of tanginess or spice every now and then, to supplement the refreshing coolness of your drink of choice.
Depending on the bar, you have various permutations and combinations of these ‘touchings’, subject to the enthusiasm of your waiter.
Our brand new Touchings Menu is an homage to this integral part of South-Indian cuisine and culture.
But what exactly is a ‘touchings’? Well, at The Permit Room you can’t really classify it as an appetiser, and its definitely not main course (although that depends on how drunk you are!), but it just about satiates the tastebuds without taking away from your appetite. So a touch of flavour, really.
A platter your ajji would be proud of.
And based on your preference, we have a whole range of flavours and textures for you to choose from. So if you’re more of a healthy side-le snacks person, you’re bound to enjoy our Namajji Avarekai Pickle. But if you’re into the stronger flavours, then anything from the Andhra Bitter Chips Pachadi to the Mean Meen Achar will work for you.
And if you can’t decide, you can do them in combinations of three as well. Or just go for the kill and have them all. Our most excellent menu will aid you in making that decision.