As soon as the bus rolls into the Thrissur bus stand, you will be greeted by the aroma of mouth- watering biriyani. Follow your nose and the trail will take you to Hotel Sapphire – a small hole in the wall place. This place is where you head for if you love biriyani. A trip to Sapphire is like a homecoming for the people of Thrissur. Sapphire dishes out other favourites too, but the biriyani here is what makes it special. The soft cooked rice melts in your mouth. The chicken is perfectly seasoned with the right amount of spices. The quantity may be enough for the regular eater but for the hearty customer, he may have to order two. The food is reasonably priced. A plate of Chicken Biriyani costs only Rs 130. To soothe your taste buds after the spicy fare, there are plenty of fruit juices and milk-shakes to choose from. The lime juice and the Sapphire Special Falooda are the hot favourites. Busy through the day, the restaurant attracts about 130 customers for lunch alone. The Sapphire Biriyani has a legacy of two generations. The biriyani is a hit among the vastly diverse population of Thrissur. The restaurant is a mix of the old and the new. The vintage feel of the restaurant also attracts the customers. This adds to the charm of the restaurant. Most of the Thrissurites have grown up gorging on the delicious Biriyani from Sapphire. The service is fast and friendly. The outlet is open from 9 to 10 30 in the evening. A visit to Thrissur is not complete without a visit to Sapphire. " Food here is like Music", says customers. The ambience is very peaceful. The eatery is no place for the cosmopolitan customer who might be on the lookout for diverse fare.