Kewpie’s, Kolkata’s original Bengali cuisine restaurant, turns 25 this Durga Puja, and has in store a double celebration — festive platters with all things Bangali and delicious, and a tie-up with another eatery that will eventually focus on the quintessentially Bangali jolkhabar and, for now, serve the Puja menu available at the main address.
Kewpie’s began its journey in 1998, with Pratik Kumar Dasgupta, who set up a 12-seater arrangement in the garage of his century-old house on Elgin Lane, along with his daughters Rakhi and Pia. The ease and comfort of a homely meal with nuggets of information about the food being served continues to be the tradition of this eatery.
Kewpie’s has moved on from its humble beginnings and its 50-seater restaurant is today among the city’s premier choices for authentic Bengali food. Served on banana leaves laid over earthenware plates and utensils, Kewpie’s continues to build on the special charm that has made it so intrinsic to foodies in the city. Present owner Rakhi Purnima Dasgupta hails from a family of four generations of gourmet cooks and has inherited a treasure trove of knowledge and prowess in the preparation and presentation of Bengali cuisine and traditional cooking.
Kewpie’s has moved on from its humble beginnings and its 50-seater restaurant is today among the city’s premier choices for authentic Bengali food
And, with the special meals that the eatery is offering for Durga Puja 2023, it is certain to further strengthen its position as Kolkata’s premier Bangla food restaurant.
From Sashthi to Dashami (October 20 to October 24), Kewpie’s will have on offer the very best of Bengal’s culinary heritage with several special thalis that will include authentic, rare, and much-sought-after Bengali delicacies. The special fare will be served not only at Kewpie’s Bhowanipore address, but will also be available at The Food Storey, a Lake Market eatery with which Kewpie’s has collaborated.
The table mats at Kewpie’s
The ‘Pujor Thala’ priced at Rs 700 will include Gobindobhog Bhaat with ghee or a Bangla Polao, Phulko Luchi, Shukto or Alur Dom, dal and fries or Bhaja of the Day along with chutney, papad, mishti doi and sandesh. For non-vegetarians, the Sharodiya Aamish Thala priced at Rs 995 will offer Gobindobhog Bhaat with ghee or Bangla Polao, Phulko Luchi, a choice of either Shukto or Alur Dom, dal and Bhaja of the Day, a choice of one fish item from the a la carte menu, a choice of one mutton or chicken item from the a la carte menu, chutney, papad, mishti doi and sandesh.
Apart from these two signature thalis, ‘Mahabhoj Niramish Thala’ at Rs 875 will also include a choice of two vegetarian items from the a la carte menu and a choice of dessert. The-non vegetarian counterpart of this is the ‘Mahabhoj Aamish Thala’ priced at Rs 1,475, which will include the common items along with a choice of any three non-vegetarian items mentioned in the a la carte menu and a choice of dessert.
Fish fry – available at Kewpie’s and The Food Storey from the a la carte menu
There is also a ‘Pujor Elish Thala’ at Rs 1,050 with Elish Bhape or Elish Kacha Jhol along with the other common items of the other thalis.
The ala carte menu card for vegetarians spoils includes Shukto, Alur dom, Mochar Ghonto, Phulkopi tarkari, Dhoka, Doi Begun, Doi Potol, Channar Dalna, Palong Channar Malai Kofta and Daab Jhinge. Non-vegetarians can choose from fish delicacies such as Pobitro’s Bhekti Fry, Pia’s Bhekti Paturi, Mona’s Rui Maacher Kalia, Narayan’s Rui Doi, Saraswati’s Pabda Jhaal and Chandradip’s Daab Chingri. Special chicken items include Saira’s Murgi Kosha and Murgi Goalondo, while Ratan’s Kosha Mangsho and Mangsho Steamer Curry stand in for the mutton choices. Apart from this, there are the Kewpie specials such as Elish Bhape, Elish Kacha Jhol, Chingri Malai, Daab Chingri, Daab Jhinge, Pomfret Posto, Alu Jhinge Posto and the all-time favourite, Mymensingher Chitol Muitha. Special dessert offers include Rosomundir Payesh, Chaler Payesh and Patishapta while in beverages, Aampora shorbot will bring in that special freshness.
More dishes from their special menu
“The reason behind the names of individuals preceding that of the various items that will be served is reflective of individuals who have rendered their service to Kewpie’s over the years, some who specialised in making of the same or is reflective of place or circumstance where they were served. For example, Mymensingh Chitol Muitha is so named as my family originally came from Mymensingh and the item was a speciality that my grandmother used to make. Then again, the Murgir Goalondo and the Steamer Curry are direct inspirations from the chicken or mutton curry that was served to the passengers on the steamers as they plied between Kolkata to Myanmar and to Goalundo in today’s Bangladesh. We then have Pomfret Posto, which is again something that my mother used to cook very well. Pomfret used to be referred to as a foreign fish, something for the non-Bengalis, and thereby, not at all a delicacy especially for the Durga Puja times,” Rakhi Purnima Dasgupta told My Kolkata.
Reminiscing on her culinary career, Dasgupta stated, “The journey of putting Bengali cuisine on the world food table has been a real adventure, with a more than a hefty dose of ups and downs. I did not begin this journey as a real cook for Bengali cuisine and was more drawn to it upon my return to Kolkata. I chose to go with my family tradition and chose ‘Bangla Khabar’ because it was very evident then that there was nowhere in Kolkata where you could have a Bengali meal. Of course, it was there in the homes, but not in a way where one could get the same served to them in a traditional way and in a comfortable, pleasant scenario. Besides the obvious satiating of one’s hunger with items from Bengali cuisine, one could also learn about the food, the preparation, and the benefits of the same – and that, has been my bigger goal in this enterprise – to teach about Bangla khabar. It was a challenge to bring forth our vegetarian items as one and all used to think that Bangla food was all about fish and non-vegetarian.”
‘The journey of putting Bengali cuisine on the world food table has been a real adventure, with a more than a hefty dose of ups and downs,’ said Rakhi Purnima Dasgupta
Referring to the Durga Puja and anniversary special arrangements, she elaborated, “The items offered at Kewpie’s for the special spread are more in number than what will be served at The Food Storey, as it is going to be a soft launch of the collaboration of the two establishments. The Food Storey, headed by Sreela Rao and Titir Chakrabarti, used to deal with continental cuisine only, but will now be branching out into other food choices, Bengali cuisine being one amongst others. The partnership will be instrumental in launching ‘Jolkhabar’ an array of the quintessential Bengali items for the morning walkers who frequent the area around Rabindra Sarobar or Kolkata’s Lake. The larger vision is to place a “Kewpie’s” in the region that is notably a Bengali resident majority area, and so, the Bengali Jolkhabar or Bengali breakfast is what we are looking to offer.”
Sreela Rao, partner of The Food Storey, spoke to My Kolkata about the new venture of theirs with Kewpie’s. She said, “We are very excited about collaborating with Kewpie’s for the future of The Food Storey. We have decided to opt for a simple start during the Puja as our establishment is known for its Continental menu. The patrons must first get used to the fact that we are introducing new vistas to what we have on offer and so, not too many complications at the onset itself. We are now at a junction where, from only continental and some Chinese, we are now moving towards becoming a multi-speciality restaurant.”
A glimpse of the interiors at The Food Storey, and partner Sreela Rao
She added, “We will focus extensively on the real ‘Bangali Jolkhabar’ in the days ahead. The Food Storey started in 2018, but then lockdown happened, and we had to restart everything all over again. At present we are a 32-seater restaurant and we remain hopeful that in the days to come we will meet the demands and cravings of a lot more people looking for a good Bengali meal with delicacies that only Kewpie’s can provide. Of course, the Continental items will be available as before, but the future will have a lot more to offer as we have other plans such as an Anglo-Indian Food Festival, and many more of such varied cuisines from all corners of the globe. The move to present the “Durga Puja” special ‘Jolkhabar’ spread is thus a precursor of good things to come with our new collaboration.”
Kewpie’s
The time slots:
- Slot 1 — 1pm to 2:45pm
- Slot 2 — 3.15pm to 5pm
- Slot 3 — 7.30pm to 10.30pm
Address: 2, Elgin Lane, behind Netaji Bhavan, Bhowanipore
Reservations required, call: 033-24861600 or 9831677610 or DM on Instagram.
The Food Storey
The time slots:
- Slot 1 — 1pm to 5pm
- Slot 2 — 7.30pm onwards
Address: P-241, Lake Road (Mezzanine Floor), Lake Market, diagonally opposite Lake Road CCD
Reservations required, Call 9830640404 or DM on Instagram.
