Restoran Sri Kortumalai

A supposedly retrospective food crawl over the mid-autumn festival weekend has been reduced to a post about a lunch which took place a good few months back.

I guess my good friend has now settled down in London.

The lunch we had was nothing spectacular. Nor was it bad. Just that we had tasted superlatives in Brickfields before. But had we known that we were already on our way towards our goals in different parts of the world during that particular lunch, we would have talked less about the hottest babe at Karma the night before and more on…well, who wore the least fabrics.

Then again, we did enjoy the crunchy, fried bittergourd slices. I bet they would have gone well with our beers the night before.

I’m still regretting over the fact that minor immigration issues deprived us an opportunity to celebrate, get drunk and of course, taste a good dry curry chicken (like the one at Sri Paandi’s) before he left KL. The chicken at Kortumalai’s was rather tough despite the nice charred aroma. And globalisation is not so globalised afterall.

It’s amazing how time motioned in the most ironic of ways. While it took forever to get an opportunity like this, preparation prior to the departure date was restricted to a timeframe of no longer than a game of bottle caps. Yes, that game we played in primary school. And the tangy fish curry drenched rice I think he’ll be reminiscing as he bites into another piece of wholemeal bread sandwich near St. James Park.

As we discussed the nonsensical belligerencies haunting our society, we felt the jaded souls within ourselves. Which was somehow physically similar to the soft okra, bittergourd and green mustard leaf bits presented on the banana leaves in front of us. Only tastier, these. But he felt that something can be done. He was braver than me.

“I wonder if that Indian rice stall next to Sky View is still around”, I asked as I tasted Kortumalai’s curry mutton. He shrugged. Though tender and spicy, I couldn’t help but compared it to the absolutely, delectably soft, boneless curry mutton I had back in those school days at a nameless stall along the busy Jalan Sentul. Food, like all things, tasted better in the olden days. And cheaper as well.

A Sunday lunch at Kortumalai’s or Brickfields, in general, is a relaxing affair. Complete with newspapers and a glass of sweet mango lassi. As we folded the banana leaves towards ourselves (as a sign of respect and satisfaction) we spoke of hopes and aspirations.

And when you wish and work hard enough, you may just get what you want. Deservingly.

So, my macha bro, best of luck in your undertaking. I hope to see your name next to Kofi Annan's and Ban Ki Moon's one day.

And if you can, please bring back the forgotten curry mutton. We desperately need it, especially at distasteful times like these.

Consider this post my farewell treat.

Restoran Sri Kortumalai
No. 215A, Jalan Tun Sambanthan
50470 Brickfields
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: (+603) 22737728

* The above meal cost RM21.60, for 2 pax *