As Durga Puja season rolls in, there’s always an air of anticipation and excitement. The Sharat skies might be overcast, but it hasn’t dampened the joy of preparing for the festivities. Now, what’s Pujo without some pet pujo, and Kolkata’s beloved Sienna Cafe has brought some old favourites and new creations for their festive menu this year!
The Hindustan Park cafe’s Baajar to Table spread has the best of the bazars, stirred and whipped into Bengali and international specials with the signature Sienna touch. There are all-time favourites like the Khichudi & Bhaja Bowl, Ranga Aloo & Posto Gnocchi in Bonolokkhi Ghee Sauce, many new concoctions, and of course the royal ilish!
The menu will be available from September 30, with a selection of dishes on the daily menu all through the Puja month. Here’s a peek into what’s on offer at Sienna Cafe this Durga Puja…
Small eats
L-R: Dumplings in Lal Jhol, Bagda Chingri Golda Ghilu Jhol, and Dumplings in Malay Jhol
This season’s Choto Plates feature the best of the cafe’s small plates menu including the Bhekti/Chingri Schnitzel, Brioche and Butters (with Ghiye Lonka, Thankuni & Aamada-Dhone Pata butters this time), Breakfast Wontons with Pak Choy, Mushroom Caramel & Chili Oil in a choice of shiitake and or pork.
If you’re in the mood for some telebhaja (it is the weather for it!), there’s a Baajar Tempura Bowl with a guava and garlic chutney. The Dumplings in Lal Jhol feature a vegetarian version with milky white Dudh Chata mushrooms and one with chicken, while the Dumplings in Malay Jhol — think malai curry goodness — have shiitake and prawn options.
If Opar Bangla flavours are on your mind this Puja, there’s a Dhakai Ponir & Tok Dherosh Jam on Toast, and a Lau Pata Dolma with Karpurkanthi Rice & Shorshe Sour Cream. Lovers of ghugni, try the Mangsho Keema Ghugni & Bheja Fry with Ladi Pav.
The mains
Bata and Bhorta Bowl and (right) Bhaja and Khichudi Bowl
If bhaat and bhortas have your heart, the popular bata-bhaja-bhorta bowls are back with khichudi and rice (gola bhaat) options. Another favourite returning to the menu is the Mushroom Bhorta, the vegetarian cousin of Kolkata-style chicken bharta, this time with some Naan Puri on the side.
The ultimate comfort food, gola bhaat, or the Bengali version of congee, gets a whole celebration of its own with the Gola Bhaat Bowl with Fixings. You can pick from the vegetarian fixings of Sona Moong Dal, Posto & Khosha Bata or Bamboo Shoot Hola & Bori Chura, or opt for the non-vegetarian Kachki Maach’r Hola or Kalo Jeere Bata Pork, each served with a perfectly sunshine-oozing six-minute boiled egg.
Gola Bhaat with fixings of Kalo Jeere Bata Pork and (right) Kachki Maach’r Hola
The fishy side of things features an oozy Bhetki a la Kiev with a radhuni (wild celery) flavoured butter, and a Kumro Pata wrapped Bhetki. The Bangali festive favourite of chitol maachher muitha has gotten a Sienna touch with the Chitol Maach’r Muitha in Rezala, and the mix of flavours promises to be delicious. Don’t miss out on the Bagda Chingri Golda Ghilu Jhol, which comes with poached tiger prawn and rich malai curry-inspired sauce that is an umami bomb!
Of course, a Bengali festive spread cannot be complete without the queen of fish, and the Sienna Muro to Lyaja Ilish Thala is sure to be a hit with all hilsa lovers. A tip-to-tail spread, this one features all the ilish bests — tel, bhorta, hola, an ilish bhaja and a hilsa tok — without the hassle of bones, because it’s a pin boned piece of fish, and with a side of gola bhaat.
Muro to Lyaja Ilish Thala
A Durga Puja spread might not be complete without its fish dishes, but mangsho has a special place of its own. A good mutton dish is the highlight of eating out (or in) during Pujo. This year’s menu features some fantastic naan and porota pairings with mutton. There’s the Dhone Pata & Kancha Lonka Mangsho with Petai Porota, reminiscent of every other Kolkata kitchen’s speciality, and a Mangsho Kala Bhuna with Naan Puri. Plus, poppy meat mutton in another Naan Puri pairing with the Posto Mangsho.
Sienna always has something new up its sleeve, and the latest has been their series of Speakeasy Weekends, which began with a Mexican style one in June. The Mangsho Jhol Carnitas with Naan Puri is sure to remind you of the weekend delights.
Chitol Maach’r Muitha in Rezala and (right) Mangsho Jhol Carnitas
Anyone who has had the pleasure of a meal from the Sienna kitchen is sure to have gone back for the dumplings and wontons and the much-loved dish is on this year’s Puja special as well. The Breakfast Wonton Noodle Bowl with Fixings comes with two options — Shiitake, Dheki Shaak & Fried Tofu, and Pork, Dheki Shaak & Fried Tofu.
Sweet endings
Malai Toast Crème Brulee
There’s a choice of five desserts on the menu (and more in the making!). If you have a sweet tooth, it is going to be difficult to pick just one. Even if you don’t have a sweet tooth, don’t miss out on these delightful combinations this season.
The 2022 menu’s Doodh Cha Creme Caramel was a hit with us, and this year’s Doodh Cha Creme Brulee with Kalo Jeere Biscuit is the one we’re looking forward to the most. If you like treacle, you will love the mahua version, which has a rich, dark caramel taste with mild fruity notes and a floral scent. It features in the Taal’r Makha Sondesh with Mahua Treacle & Gondhoraj.
The Dacres Lane special Malai Toast gets a Sienna touch with the Malai Toast Crème Brulee and if you want a little sweet something, try the Choux with Cha er Payesh.
On your plate
What: Sienna Cafe’s Durga Puja special menu
When: Dishes will be available in rotation with a selected small menu every day from September 30 to October 27
How to order: Drop in at the cafe at 49, 1, Golpark, Hindustan Park or order online on Swiggy and Zomato. You can also call 9903608899 to order a takeaway
