Well, Mangalore being a coastal town, fresh seafood has to be one of the local favourites. The cuisine is generally rich, a little on the spicier side and very colourful. Most of the gravies are coconut based and thats what gives Manglorean cuisine that unique flavour.
If you’re down in Mangalore and thinking of authentic flavours of the region, then The Village is the place to be. For starters, the ambiance is just great. It has a small airconditioned section which is NOT the place to be. You have to be in the open air area under a traditional tiled roof seated on quite comfortable chairs. A separate area with a thatched roof and wooden flooring and a nice wide waterfall - along the length of a wall - creates the most relaxed setting. A well stocked bar with the usual cocktails adds that tinge of comfort. The music is soft and calming.
But the ambience is just the beginning of it all. The food is just great. Though they are a multi cuisine restaurant, its the fresh seafood that pulls me there. The variety crabs, squid, cockles, mussels, prawns and various types of fish all served in traditional preparations will get you hooked on. For those who are’nt into seafood, their Indian cuisine is also really good. I would never have chinese food there not because it is’nt good but just for the fact that their indian food is mind blowing. The service is quick n crisp.
A couple of my favourite dishes would be:
Seafood : Mussel Pepper fried, Silver fish Rava fried and Tandoori Prawns
Chicken : Chicken Urwal
Finally, when its time to pay the bill, you’d get the shock. This place is so reasonably priced that you cant resist coming back.
Its a great place to be for the family. Its a definite recommendation which tops my list of restaurants in Mangalore.