Popular American restaurant — SAZ Kolkata — also known for its eclectic music scene has brought Asian-American delicacies inspired by flavours from Chinatown in New York City to their Camac Street address. From sushi to tataki, dumplings, soups, one-pot meals and cocktails inspired by Asian sensibilities, the new menu, with over 24 dishes and cocktails, is quite a contrast to their earlier American diner delicacies.
“Our idea was to introduce a series of new dishes from around Asia and America, inspired by Chinatown, New York. Pot stickers and clay pot rice bowls provide the street food vibe. A live sushi counter mirrors the trending sushi culture in NYC. We believed it would bring in a unique cultural exchange which also works very well in Kolkata, one of the few cities in the world like New York to have a China Town,” says Drishleen Sethi, director, SAZ Kolkata and Ping’s Kolkata.
The cocktails too are unique, says Drishleen. “When we decided to move towards a more chic dining experience approach, we wished to focus on fresh new flavours even in our brand new cocktail menu, using ingredients like yuzu and homemade ginger caviar to bring something completely new for everyone in the city,” she says.
Here’s what we love.
ON THE MENU
Crunchy Enoki Roll: A beautiful blue sushi courtesy butterfly pea tea that’s used to colour the rice, makes this so Instagrammable. The outer texture is crispy due to crunchy quinoa and the inside filling is that of a crispy fried enoki mushroom, cream cheese and truffle oil.
Kai Zen Serenity: This is a gin-based Asian cocktail with fresh lemongrass, lime juice and beer syrup from draught beer. It also has ginger juice and is finished with a few dashes of absinthe. Kai Zen is a Japanese word that focuses on continuous improvement of an individual. Fresh ginger caviar is the palate cleanser.
The Bourbon Therapy: Lime, honey, Campari, fresh pineapple juice and bourbon whisky garnished with dry pineapple makes up this whisky lover’s favourite.
Ginger Ninja: Japanese whisky, yuzu puree, apple juice topped with ginger ale come together in this drink. The yuzu has a very powerful citrusy aroma. The triangular lemon leaf represents the ninja clan shape.
The Militia from Russia: This is a vodka-based drink with a banana and parsley cordial. And, it is served with homemade banana chips. An interesting flavour that’s a must try.
Ricotta Chilli Toast: A balance of sweet and tangy flavours on a bed of freshly baked in-house sourdough bread is what makes this a fave. Cherry tomatoes add the perfect amount of sweetness, the ricotta adds a creamy bite whereas the pickled daikon and chilli crisps further add to the taste.
Philly Cream Cheese Dumplings: More than 60,000 of these have been sold over the past five years at Ping’s Cafe Orient and they’re now at SAZ Kolkata too. Cream cheese, water chestnut and shiitake mushroom creates this pillowy soft cheesy goodness.
Parmesan Tortellini with Truffle Butter and Carrot Cream is a soft dumpling in a creamy carrot-based sweet- and-cheesy sauce.
Inspired by the meal in a bowl trend is the Clay Pot Chicken bowl that has a spicy hit from fresh red chillies, and packs in a good amount of rice, chicken chunks, bamboo shoots and shiitake mushrooms.
Pictures: B. Halder
What: New menu at SAZ
Where: 9th floor, Fort Knox, Camac Street
Timings: Noon to 11pm
Meal for two: Rs 2,000-plus, without alcohol
Business lunches: Monday to Friday-noon to 3pm at Rs 1,300-plus
Sunday Brunches: Detox brunches at Rs 1,800 AI, Boozy brunch at Rs 2,950 AI, Sparkling brunch at Rs 3,500 AI
Happy Hours: Everyday 3pm to 7pm