Octopus Restaurant

Down in Pulinkudi, near Vizhinjam, you’ll find us right by the water. The restaurant is out in Mullur, and the air always smells like salt because the ocean is so close. It’s a quiet area compared to the city, which is why we like it here. The building is simple, mostly just a roof and some pillars so you can see the view while you sit. We get our fish from the local boats that come in every day, so whatever we have depends on what they caught that morning. The floor is often a bit sandy because people walk in straight from the path. We don't have any fancy air conditioning, just the natural wind coming off the sea. Sometimes when the weather is bad, we have to close up early because the rain blows right in. It’s just a few of us running the place, cooking and putting plates out and doing the dishes. We don't have a big sign or any bright lights. Most people find us just by wandering down the road. It’s a very relaxed atmosphere, and we don't rush anyone to finish their meal. We often sit out on the steps after the last customers leave and just watch the waves. It’s not a complicated business; we just cook what the sea gives us and keep the place running as well as we can. We have a few cats that hang around the kitchen door hoping for a scrap of fish.