The city’s long-standing love affair with Continental cuisine is well-documented and some of the city’s most significant heritage eateries are dedicated to trusty European favourites.
What exactly is Continental cuisine? “It would have been a British thing to say about food from the Continent, which meant food from Europe. So even French and Italian cuisine would be classified as Continental food. If we talked about it in the modern world sense, it could be food that’s from any continent,” says chef Shaun Kenworthy. “But say in the Kolkata sense, it would have been a British-ism, so things from Europe and France were classified as Continental food.”
In the last few years, contemporary diners and cafes have updated old recipes to make them more adaptable, be it with fusion touches or a pared-down ingredient list. My Kolkata sampled some of the front-runners:
1. Grilled Chicken from Cafe Na-Ru-Meg
Grilled breasts of chicken on a bed of buttery mash Aatreyee Mohanta
Southern Avenue’s bicycle-themed cafe serves grilled breasts of chicken on a bed of buttery mashed potatoes. You can go for the classic brown sauce and sautéed veggies, on the side. Or add some herb rice if you’re done counting your macros for the day!
2. Ham Eggs Benedict from The Daily Cafe
The Daily’s authentic European spread lines up deli favourites like bagel and lox (cured or brined salmon), and even Asian breakfast items like Katsu Sando. The Deshapriya Park eatery even has a section on their menu that’s dedicated to eggs where you can find five kinds of Eggs Benedict toppings. The water poached egg has a velvety centre that is paired with a creamy hollandaise sauce, English muffin, German pork ham and cheddar; the salty notes cut through the richness of the egg making it the breakfast for champions!
3. Sunday Mutton Roast from The Salt House
If you’re okay with the occasional red meat don’t miss out on this stunner from The Salt House. The meat has a melt-in-mouth quality and is paired with a concentrated jus, which amplifies the flavours and there are sauteed veggies along with creamy mashed potatoes.
4. Foriestire from The Country House
Looking for a more elaborate grilled chicken and veg? The Country House in Bhowanipore may just live up to your expectations; this colourful number features a chicken breast that has been stuffed with a medley of mushroom and even more chicken. This classic roulade is then doused in an aromatic rosemary jus. And like all great Continental dishes, this too is served with buttered rice and sautéed vegetables.
5. Ricotta Spinach Cannelloni from Roastery Coffee House
What’s better than pasta with cheese? Handmade pasta and cheese! This dish will transport you from Hindustan Park to the Italian countryside in seconds! Hand rolled sheets of pasta are stuffed with fresh ricotta and spinach; the al dente pasta and fresh tomato sauce is a match made in heaven!
6. Polo Black Pepper from Black Brick Cafe
Who doesn’t like the spectacle of a crackling, sizzler on a searing red hot skillet? Black Brick Cafe’s version has soft marinated chicken cooked in a black pepper sauce. Not only does the pepper add heat but also a layer of numbing flavour that’s quite unique. The cubed potatoes offer a much-needed textural contrast. Don’t forget the garlic bread that you can use to mop up all the sauce! Available at the Alexandra Court restaurant.
7. Ravioli with Tomatoes, Pesto and Cheese from La Macario Cafe
The ideal ravioli is velvety to the touch and never too thick or doughy. La Macario’s stuffed pasta is tender and makes sure you get a kick of flavours from the tomatoes and pesto. Try it at the popular Wood Street cafe.
8. Seafood Board from SAZ - American Brasserie
This American brasserie’s seafood board is hugely shareable. It’s loaded with grilled Bhetki, grilled tiger prawns, portobello mushrooms etc. The broccoli can be a palate cleanser while the lemon butter and citrus sauces add an interesting tang that counteracts the fattiness of the fish. Dig in with your hands and share this with your family and friends to get the most of it!