When C.P. Moosa and Faiza Moosa moved from the iconic Ayisha Manzil to the historic French Loge in Kozhikode, they thought they had closed a chapter. But their legendary Malabari hospitality had other plans. Discover the story of how the soul of Thalassery cuisine and culture found new life by the sea—welcoming global guests once again.
A House of Stories on the Cliffs of Thalassery
Long before boutique homestays and heritage tourism became buzzwords, there was *Ayisha Manzil, perched regally on the cliffs of Thalassery. With its colonial charm, antique furniture, and walls that whispered stories of cinnamon trade and sea breezes, it wasn’t just a place to stay—it was a window into a lost time. And at the heart of it all were **Mr. C.P. Moosa, the gracious host with a historian’s tongue, and **Mrs. Faiza Moosa*, the culinary matriarch whose kitchen turned memories into meals.
For over two decades, Ayisha Manzil wasn’t just a homestay. It was a portal—into *Mappila cuisine*, coastal rituals, spice market strolls, and intimate conversations over tamarind prawns and biryani. Guests arrived as strangers and left as lifelong friends. Many returned. Some cried when it closed.
The Silence of Lockdown and a New Beginning
In 2020, as the world paused during the COVID lockdown, so did the rhythm of Ayisha Manzil. The Moosas quietly shifted their life to *French Loge, an old colonial home nestled in **Moonalungal, Kozhikode*, a few paces away from the sea. The plan was to slow down—no guests, no market tours, no clinking of serving spoons, just rest and reflection.
But the stories didn’t stop. The kitchen began to fill with aromas again. Curious locals and loyal patrons found their way to French Loge. They weren’t just looking for food—they were looking for *what the Moosas represented*: a heritage of grace, flavor, and connection. And slowly, almost organically, the homestay spirit rekindled.
French Loge: Where Stories Rewarmed and Recipes Returned
In 2024, *after repeated requests from friends, cultural institutions, and tourism stakeholders, the Moosas made a decision that would revive a legend. Ayisha Manzil would not return in its original form—but its soul would live on at **French Loge*.
Once a sleepy colonial residence with a forgotten past as a French trading post, French Loge was reborn. Under the guidance of Faiza Moosa, it became a cultural and culinary sanctuary—where guests could not only eat but also learn, cook, and explore.
Walk into French Loge today, and you’re welcomed by its *airy verandahs, central thalam, and the unmistakable scent of fresh spices dancing in the air. You can wake to the call of seagulls and the promise of biryani, take a morning walk with Moosa through Kozhikode’s old spice lanes, or learn to make **Muttamala* in Faiza’s quiet kitchen, where even silence tastes sweet.
The Signature That Never Left: Mappila Cuisine
What Faiza Moosa brought to Ayisha Manzil has been refined and deepened at French Loge. This is more than food—it’s culinary anthropology. Her recipes, crafted from oral traditions, spice-route influences, and generations of home-grown knowledge, have now been served from France to Lyon, and from Kerala to Calicut’s curious tables.
You’ll taste *Pettipathiri, **Tamarind Prawns, **Unnakai, and Faiza’s iconic **Thalassery Biryani*, but you’ll also hear about the grandmother who first made it, the weddings where it was served, and why certain spices are ground by hand even today.
This isn’t just a homestay—it’s a living archive of Malabar’s culinary soul.
What Makes a Stay at French Loge Unique
Cooking with Faiza: Intimate, experiential classes where you don't just learn recipes—you learn culture.
Heritage Walks: Led by Mr. Moosa, who knows Kozhikode like a poem, these are walks through colonial history, spice trails, and hidden alleys with stories etched in every corner.
Wellness and Martial Arts: Yoga and Kalaripayattu sessions in the courtyard for those seeking balance with their cultural immersion.
Beypore Excursions: Travel with Moosa to see the legendary wooden Uru boats and understand Kozhikode’s Arab connections.
The Return of Warmth and Wonder
What began in a seaside mansion in Thalassery and paused in the silence of the pandemic has now blossomed once more in a colonial home in Kozhikode. The Moosa family didn’t just restart a homestay—they revived a tradition, bringing to life the essence of North Kerala hospitality for a new generation of travelers.
So if you’re seeking more than a vacation, if you're looking to sip stories with your tea and taste history on your plate—French Loge awaits.
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