Drive down one of the left two lanes of 5th Avenue in downtown Seattle, and you might not notice something called the “Global Food Garden” that’s grown at the intersection with Bell Street. That’s where Geogy Chacko has opened a number of little restaurants, most recently the flagship known as FAR-EATS.
From his website: “Gone are the familiar names of Indian dishes. Gone also are the predictable wines. Instead you will find Geogy inspired marinades, ingredients, and sauces paired with an exciting list of carefully selected wines with over 50 percent from Washington.”
Chacko draws upon influences from Kerala, a state in the southwestern part of India, where beef is served (the state is 30 percent Christian, though note that Halal meat is available) and a wide variety of spices are deployed. Heat is not the objective; Chacko will cook to your desired level, but suggests medium-range spice to enjoy all of the flavors.
Don’t despair if you don’t recognize dishes on the menu (somewhat confusing in its sections like “soup,” “shared,” and “saucy,” though these things are getting ironed out), as Chacko is frequently on the floor of the restaurant and is happy to help with descriptions and recommendations. He’s full of information, and when you listen to him, you realize there’s great potential for culinary education at FAR-EATS.
I enjoyed a chance to try a wide variety of dishes and found the flavors fascinating. Check out the slideshow above for photos and further information.