Phalaamritha
- Ice cream Parlour
Malleshwaram 8th & 9th Cross
In
8th Cross Malleswaram with its temples, matha, bustling commercial
market that comes alive in the evenings ,the regular vegetable
market and the lately come Johnny of a swanky departmental store,
a well known brand of jewelry shop etc one is likely to miss a
small ice cream parlour on this M.G.Road of Malleswaram as I did.
But the treat inside more than makes up for the loss of time.
It’s in places like this that the new entrepreneurial face
of India can be discerned. Mrs Saroja a professor from Maharaja’s
college, Mysore called it a day nearly three years ago to take
a bold step of putting her talents to better use. She’s a
far cry from the Mandyam Iyengari Maami that we are familiar with.
A very articulate and pleasant Saroja had the support of her brother
in the first steps that she took in this venture. With the active
assistance from her brilliant engineer daughter Rashmi, who believes
that jobs have to be generated and entrepreneurship encouraged,
her son in law and a cousin, Saroja is enjoying every moment of
this transition from teaching to business. Being
new to this line it was sheer grit and challenge of seeing through
this venture that culminated in Phalaamritha, a name that warms
the cockles of the Malleswarean. Sheer word of mouth publicity
has built its clientele, becoming popular with the evening family
and after dinner crowds.
Known
in and around the area for its vegetarian ice creams and health
juices the North Indians and Jains have made this their favourite
place. The products being natural with minimal recipes are very
light and one can taste and feel the goodness of Mother Nature
in them. With 23 varieties of home made ice cream (in scoops and
in cups without even the addition of gelatin),Kulfis and 7 variants
of herbal juices she today takes bulk orders that take her away
from the company of her 3 year grand daughter for the entire day.
She wanted to bring the best of the branded ice creams in half
the prices of those available only in the up market areas. Family
and party packs in half and one litre are available as take aways
at 60/= to 150/-.The new additions are the milk shakes and iced
teas.
The
health juices under the PRAKRUTI brand are sourced from a Girijan
society in B.R.Hills, Mysore recognized by KVIC, Govt of Karnataka.
They contain no preservatives or additives as the pulp is marinated
in sugar, excepting the black berry (Jamun) juice that’s
a boon to the diabetics. The verdant green Nellikai (amla /wild
gooseberry) sherbet was inviting. The sogade/Sarsaparilla juice
extracted from the root part, in its faint honey colour was invigorating.
The masala jal jeera is for those who do not want to have a sweet
taste. The cocoum-pink coloured drink was soothing with the onset
of summer. These are body coolants and good for those having attacks
of migraine and acidity. The popular ginger-lime concoction though
a recommended drink in the winters was good with the tangy taste
just right. Fresh fruit juices are not sold here, but Badam milk
is available. After these heady combinations I was tempted to
go in for the Chaats with the smell of the poris getting stronger
by the minute.
Ice
creams being seasonal, the Chaat section was opened and is a new
entrant in the cool domain of the ice creams where there is a
premium in the standards maintained. The differently made Masala
Pori chaat which is hot unlike the cold preparations that are
generally available had ground nuts and the spicy taste that started
at the tip of my tongue seared down the throat. Those with delicate
dispositions better tread on the path familiar. Then I followed
this with a wee helping of the Kodabaele masala chaat and with
the unusual crunchy kodabele and peanuts it’s worth a second
helping. Catch these before the chaat waalas call it a day by
9 PM.Then it’s the roll call of the ice creams which Shobha
the assistant made a whopping large helping of (seasonal fruit)
fruit salad, nuts and ice cream 
of
nearly 7-9 flavours with gulkhand which is not a favourite with
me. This wicked gadbad fortunately did not put the spanner in
the works and I surprisingly could go in for 2 more small helpings
of the very special Kesar (pure saffron strands) ice cream and
Manoranjani ice-cream. Saroja tells me that the edible flower
Manoranjani growing on the B.R.Hills and Melkote region changes
its colour and taste every season and this is captured in the
ice cream along with dry fruits and that’s their signature
item. The royal delight is worth giving a try that’s a helping
of ice cream in chocolate, strawberry or butterscotch sauce with
sprinkling of nuts. The phalaamrutha special is a favourite priced
at a classy 40/=. The fast moving Kulfis in 8 flavours are from
milky to creamy consistency embellished with cashew nuts, pistachios
etc.The gulkhand (rose petals boiled in sugar solution) ice creams
are an all time favourite here. The branded ice creams of the
cornettos, chocobars, casettas, candies are from Dairy day (that
believes in natural vegetarian fare).The nutty bar can drive one
nuts with the butter scotch filling wrapped in crunchy chocolate,
was a delite from the usual vanilla based filling. The taste is
exotic. The 24 carat cassata with a rich helping of cake layers,
jam nuts and ice-cream is priced at 30/-. The matka kulfi gives
a feeling of earthiness. Reasonably priced they are a big draw.
As Saroja was counting the tokens and finalizing the accounts
for the day, I prepared to go home with surprisingly a light and
springy step and no hangover with the stuffing of the previous
night.
The
kulfis are in the range of 3/= to 17/=, ice creams from 6/-to
18/- per scoop. Milk shakes are in the range of 20/- to 25/=.
Iced teas are at 12/-, the bars are at 15-20/-.The bottled concentrates
range from 60/- to 75/-.The swinger sundae with a combo of 4 ice
creams at 18/- really rocks.Chaats are priced from 6/- to 12/-
served in eco friendly plates.
Open
from 10.30am -3.00pm and 4.30pm-9.00pm, in summer this break is
a luxury.
14/1,
West Park Road,
Between 8th & 9th Cross
Malleswaram
Bangalore 560 003
Ph: 57675755
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you would like to rate this Parlour with your experience please
RATE HERE.
Feedback
from our visitors:
One
visitor (name withheld on request) giving the Parlour an Excellent
rating under three traits writes "very
friendly and homely ; authentic vegetarian ice creams ; also high
energy herbal juices good afer a long walk - all seasons; casual
interesting chaats ; nice hang out after a hectic malleshwarm
8th cross shopping day hats off to Prof. Saroja."
Indira
says "
Since all items are of natural flavours without any artificial
flavours the products are excellent for health conscious people
who wish to have both taste and health. In spite of the commercial
busy surroundings the place offers uniquely quiet and hygienic
ambience. One can just have any of the items here without any
hesitation as they are all healthy preparations having medicinal
values
