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
