The Moonrakers of Mahabs

Moonrakers

Mahabalipuram

We keep going to Mahabs and most of the times, we are there at the lunch time. Trying so many places there now, if we do not try the Legendary place called Moonrakers, it would be a crime. So, Moonrakers, it had to be this time.

The place exists from more than three decades and seem to be a favourite of a lot of travellers there. Trip Advisor and Zomato apart, even their extended space there, which actually seem like three Moonrakers near each other are proof of the growth. All belong to the same owner.

I wanted to experience the original, first joint, and fortunately we got a good table there.

Gosh the area has the typical competition amongst restaurants to get guests, reminding me of autowallas screaming and calling people to hire their autorickshaw.

With so many food joint clustered at the same diameter at Uthandi Road, Fisherman’s Colony, these things bound to happen, I guess.

 We reached at a good time, though I felt it was past lunch time.

 We were shown around the fresh catch of the day at the seafood counter, that was all spread as a lavish proud display.

FOOD:

MASALA PRAWNS

Well, as happens some times, I got carried away. The guy showed all super fresh catch and they were really looking nice. I told him, I showed him one fish, prawns and the calamari, saying that we eat these kinds. Also specified that I would like one deep fried dish.

FRIED CALAMARI

MASALA TAVA FRIED FISH

Well, food came very very quickly. Which is a very good thing. But a lot of food on the table. 
Plain Rice, A portion of Parottas, Fried Calamari, Prawns Masala, Tawa fried Masala Fish.
I thought the fried calamari was a very huge portion, more than the Calamari I chose. Well,  looking at the portions and the look of food, it became a little difficult to have food. The whole large prawns was cooked with a whole lot of black coloured masala. Thank God, when he picked four number of prawns, I asked to make it two initially. Hub somehow had one, though he actually didn’t like the way it was prepared and the masala. I could not eat the prawns as it was whole and not deveined. But I did like the famous masala. Good taste. Went very well with the parotta as well as rice.

PAROTTAS

We had just a few Calamari.

Now the fish, was as it is…. Talk of over ordering and that too without consulting the Hub. FacePalm… LOL Well, I tasted it and it was yummmm. Maybe just that alone could have been enough. That was the best dish but came last amongst the seafood. We had to pack everything and actually we knew we are not gonna have, but give it to one of the needy people on the way, for whom we often buy some food.

Now, I had read about they serving Beer or some drinks and when My hub checked, he said yes, but they have no ice. It was fun to hear that, and also observing the NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED board inside.

AMBIANCE: You will find three Moonrakers near to each other. They try to pull you to the new building. When we checked, they said that all are same, same owner. Even food will be same. I noticed that the fresh seafood was getting prepared here, while the Chinese dishes and Pasta was coming from the branch across the road.

I chose the oldest and original place, coz that I what is legendary. Looked like a Quaint pretty place till there was not much crowd. There are tow tables just as you enter, on your left and right, even before you can enter the resto. There are few tables inside. While there are more tables on the first floor that too has a balcony overlooking the street below.

The kitchen on the ground floor is almost like an open kitchen, partially.

Very pretty temple like door entrance and wooden artwork is seen inside.

There are lots of Gods idol in Wood as well as metal adorning the wall.

On the first floor, when you reach  up, end of the staircase, on your right a showcase with Vintage style vessels and Deepams (lamps) made of Copper and brass.

The wheel that you can see from outside itself has now become a landmark I guess.

 COST:

The entire food, a bottle of water and some drinks totally cost Rs 1770/-

SERVICE:

Well, it was good but very inconsistent. It was very clear that their entire attention is only and only to attract the customers and et them to dine at their restaurant. Those are the catch of the day for the, … Ha ha

Well, they did admit that it is only weekends that they get business, that too mainly only Sunday. Other days are pretty dry. So, they need to make the most of it.

If you happen to be there, go through the menu, go through the fresh seafood, decide what meat / seafood you like and accordingly place the order. It is a good place,