Hi

A GREAT place to stay is the KTDC Bolghatty Palace - It is a much better deal than the Taj Executive - the Taj Malabar is nicer, but certainly not less than 100$. The Bolghatty is the oldest Dutch palace outside of Holland turned into a hotel - and very nicely run - on its own little island off the mainland, so it is much quieter, the staff are very nice. Only hitch: the bar only serves wine & beer. BYOB !!

http://www.ktdc.com/Bolgaty.htm

We got married @ Bolghatty 3 years ago and our guests who were staying @ the Taj Executive decided to move to Bolghatty after seeing the place. (Most of our guests were from the US).

I wouldnt even bother with trying to find "psuedo-Western food" in Kerala, given the amazing food they have.

Some MUST-TRY restaurants in Cochin include:
The restaurant at the GRAND hotel on MG road - legend has it that the fish served there comes from the owner's pond, and I can vouch that the food there is great.

Also on MG Road, Pandal serves very good food.

The restaurant in the Taj Malabar has good food and the hotel itself has an awesome location.

For cheaper fare (but still very clean and hospitable - even by Western Standards) - the restaurant in the International Hotel (off MG road)

For the ultimate local bite, (ONLY IF YOU LIKE REALLY SPICY FOOD), head over to Trivandrum Chicken Center - it is a hole in the wall on the 2nd floor at the south end of MG road - the place only serves a kerala style spicy roasted chicken with chapatis. But it is truly hard to beat!!

Have fun!!
FoT