Thiruvananthapuram chef opens festival pop-up store

A home chef in Thiruvananthapuram has opened a pop-up store for the festival season. Sheeba’s La Fleur is located at the Narmada shopping complex in Kowdiar. The store will stay open for three months, serving food for Ramzan, Vishu, Easter, and Id-ul-adha. The chef, Sheeba, has been operating La Fleur for 13 years. She said the Ramzan specials will be available until Id-ul-Fitr. She will also serve payasams for Vishu and traditional Easter dishes. For Id-ul-adha, delicacies will be offered in June. Sheeba had a dream to start a restaurant at Narmada, a historic shopping complex. However, plans changed until a customer suggested the idea of a pop-up store. With the help of the complex's directors, the store became a reality. Sheeba’s La Fleur opens at noon with chicken biriyani for lunch. In the evening, there are different chicken dishes, beef roast, and snacks like cutlets and samosas. Haleem, a special dish, is served on alternate days. The store stays open until 3 AM, allowing those who fast to enjoy suhoor, the pre-dawn meal. Sheeba prepares food for 50 to 70 people each day. After Ramzan, the store will have revised hours from 10 AM to midnight.