Savour a bowl of Kashmiri Yakhni Shorba, paired with some Pearl Millet Almond Beet Kebab or Lal Mirch and Kasoori Methi Jhinga, Follow it up with Champaran Matka Gosht for the main course and Rosomalai Cheesecake for a sweet ending — all while you soak in an Amazonesque jungle ambience, complete with sounds of the forest. And, all this is possible right here in Kolkata — at Jungle Safari in Mani Square Mall on the EM Bypass. Speciality Restaurants’ “speciality” restaurant is having a Kebab & Curry Festival, a palate teaser for the launch of a revamped menu.
Jungle Safari has long been a haven for city dwellers seeking a taste of the wild. Its lush surroundings effortlessly transport urbanites into the heart of a safari adventure, amplified by an unforgettable ‘meal-o-experience’ featuring delectable treats from Ranthambore, Gir Forest, and our very own Dooars. Food lovers can cast away the urban blues and immerse themselves in this dense green pocket, which comes with its own waterfall and jungle delights right in the heart of the city. Walls and ceiling covered in thick foliage with tree trunks, figures of wild animals placed in the corners, a constant flow of animal sounds and the gurgle of falling water are only some of the special additions that greet food lovers seeking some adventure.
A glimpse of the exciting interiors
Inside, countless ‘photo-ops’ await, while the meticulously crafted soundscape transports diners to the heart of the forest. The dip in temperature further enhances the illusion, wrapping visitors in the authentic ambience of a forest. The decor, teeming with an array of animal figurines, rich flora and fauna, and the symphony of forest sounds, evokes a sense of excitement for both young and old alike.
In conversation with My Kolkata, Debashish Ghosh, GM, brand standards and PR of Speciality Restaurants Limited, said, “Jungle Safari is one of the Speciality Restaurants Limited’s ‘speciality’ restaurants, especially crafted out of an idea of being amid an Amazonian rainforest. The origin of this restaurant stems from a father and his son — herein personified by ‘foodpreneur’, chairman and managing director Anjan Chatterjee and his son Avik Chatterjee, who, when he was very young, had expressed a wish to be somewhere amid a jungle, enjoying a great spread of food. Having completed more than 12 years, Jungle Safari is thus largely the gift that Anjan created for his son and all others who looked for such a theme restaurant. The ceiling height of the establishment at Mani Square Mall offered an excellent opportunity to make a sort of a machan-like sit-out. Incidentally, machan was the name first thought of for the eatery but then everything was revamped and ‘Jungle Safari’ came into being.”
Executive chef Harman Singh Sawhney with one of his creations
Executive chef Harman Singh Sawhney, with a remarkable 15-year stint with the brand and a key figure in various innovative projects, shared the creative process behind the creation of the new additions to the menu. He said, “The menu at Jungle Safari required a fresh perspective, especially since the last update was pre-pandemic. The new offerings draw inspiration from diverse regions of India, promising a burst of new flavours with a strong focus on health factors. Millet takes pride of place in many of our new creations.”
Lal Mirch Tandoori Jhinga
He continued: “Among the highlights, we’ve introduced a wholesome beetroot and almond kebab, a reimagined spinach and cashew cheese roulade, and a Jowar Subz Chutney Seekh for our vegetarian patrons. Non-vegetarians can relish the new Chicken Chapli Kebab from Punjab and Sindh, along with specialties like Champaran Gosht from Bihar and the light Tariwala Chicken. Seafood lovers will delight in our tandoori prawn item – the Khatte Pyaz ka Jhinga, a beloved delicacy from the north. And in desserts, don’t miss the Rosomalai Cheesecake, a delightful fusion of chhena rosogolla, saffron and pistachio. Last but not least, the Kabuli Tikki, a flavourful kebab made from chana, seasoned with aamchur, onions, anardana and more.”
The Rosomalai Cheesecake
The cuisine is Indian, inspired from popular items of the forested stretches of the whole country such as Maharashtra, West Bengal, Bihar, Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and more. The all-new menu for the Kebab & Curry Festival offers, among other items, Kashmiri Yakhni Shorba, Kabuli Karari Tikki, the Lal Mirch and Kasoori Methi Jhinga (prawn) kebab, baked Navratan Korma, and the ever-popular oven-baked Champaran Matka Gosht. For desserts, there’s Almond crumble Malpua, Kesari Phirni and a large choice of ice cream to choose from.
The popular, oven-baked Champaran Matka Gosht
Jungle Safari is also offering a choice of breads that include Amritsari Kulcha, Laccha and Multani paratha, kulchas with a variety of fillings, roti, and of course, the millet Missi Roti. Vegetarians can enjoy these with Subz Dum Methi, Lasooni Palak, Safari Dal, Dhania Mirch Paneer, classic baked Navratan Korma, Tawa Subz Nizami and a whole plethora of other such dishes. Non-vegetarians can choose from Bonfire-smoked fish, Raan e Safari, Dhuandhar Lal Tikka, Bhoot Jolokia Chicken Tangdi and Bhatti Tawa Murgh to name a few. There are options for small plates such as Picnicwala Chatpata Makhana, Pearl Millet Almond Beet Kebab as well as some interesting pizza and pasta choices in the form of Jungle Masala, Overloaded Chicken and more.
Overloaded Chicken Pizza
Ankur Kishore Mandal, from Speciality Restaurants, also informed about the special plans being chalked out for Children’s Day. Many activities have been planned, including a fortune pot, which will be taken to every table and from which children will get to pick a slip and that would lead to some surprise gift such as chocolate boxes, mocktails or something else. There will also be a tattoo artist and a jumping castle to make the day even more enjoyable.
Where: Jungle Safari, fourth floor, Mani Square Mall
Timings: Noon to 3.30pm (lunch) and 7-11pm (dinner)
Meals for two: Rs 1,400-plus taxes (No buffet; all a-la-carte)
