Idli with Mutta Kozhambu
| Photo Credit: Dinesh Kakollu
At Mazzo Rooftop, perched atop the Marriott Executive Apartments, the view of the Kondapur Botanical Garden pairs beautifully with inventive cocktails and a menu that celebrates the flavours of peninsular India — from the temple-town richness of Madurai to the rustic boldness of toddy-shop fare and the warmth of home-style comfort food.
Mazzo has nothing much to show off as a restaurant in terms of decor, the rooftop bar however makes up for it with the open sky, the pool and a view of the vast botanical garden.
Having recently watched Idli Kadai — Dhanush’s new Tamil film about an idli shop in Madurai — I could not help but ask the chef for a few Madurai-inspired dishes. “So be it,” he said, and decided my mains would be idli with mutta kozhambu (egg curry) and kal dosa with pepper mutton fry. The showstopper, though, was the sukka prawns — rich, spiced, and perfectly cooked.
Prawns Sukka
| Photo Credit:
Dinesh Kakollu
The meal began with a wild mushroom cappuccino — silky, earthy, and finished with a truffle froth, served alongside a crisp goat cheese crostini. Next up was the playful tarbooz-e-murabba, where watermelon meets pickling spice. At first glance, I was convinced it was a beetroot salad — it looked nothing like watermelon. The chef smiled and explained that the fruit had been lightly treated and soaked. One bite in, and it was unmistakably watermelon, only now laced with a teasing hint of jalapeño brine.
Then came the fiery Mangalorean ghee roast, served with a flaky Malabar parotta. The flavours were bold, though the excess sukka gravy tipped it slightly into oversalted territory — one I would probably skip next time.
The Butterfly Effect
At Mazzo, The Mixology Studio reinterprets Hyderabad’s Nizami elegance through cocktails infused with distinctly regional flavours — think filter coffee, curry leaf, gongura, palm jaggery, vetiver, and kodampuli. My picks for the day included house signatures like Ocean of Pearls, Zafrani Qubani Royale, The Butterfly Effect, and The Four Arches — each drink layered with its own story and a touch of whimsy.
Most of the cocktails lean sweet, with sensory rituals built into their presentation. Before the Merchant’s Spritz — a bright, bubbly mix of Aperol, pomegranate molasses, soda, and sparkling wine — comes a spoonful of pomegranate to awaken the palate. The Amber Diwan, meanwhile, comes with a tang of tamarind pickle; you begin with a cube of chilli-roasted pineapple before sipping. Who knew scotch, cumin, and tamarind could make such a brilliant trio?
The most playful would have to be The Butterfly Effect, which pays tribute to the Botanical Park visible from the rooftop. Topped with a soft cloud of foam that brushes your nose as you sip, it is a delightful surprise of rossogulla meets tequila.
Drama with the drinks
| Photo Credit:
Dinesh Kakollu
The food menu at Mazzo is curated by chef de cuisine Suresh Rajan Pillai, who draws inspiration from his Malaysian roots and the festive streets of Madurai. “Each dish here transforms lived moments into something to be shared,” he says.
For those seeking something familiar, the menu also features pasta, pizzas, and sandwiches, while the daytime lunch buffet makes it an easy choice for group meals.
A meal for two at Mazzo starts at ₹2,000 plus taxes.
Published – November 20, 2025 04:14 pm IST
