It’s the season of love… and strawberries! While you are making plans for Valentine’s Day, here’s My Kolkata’s list of places with unique strawberry offerings from around the city. From cocktails and cakes to Bangla’s mishti, a touch of strawberry gives it a very ‘berry’ makeover. So, celebrate the season of love with sweetness all around and indulge in some quality time with bae.
Torrijas from Tapaste
The classic French toast gets a Spanish spin at the newly-opened Tapaste with strawberry salsa, rum-kissed toffee sauce and fresh whipped cinnamon cream. This new addition to the menu is expected to be available through the season. “Strawberry is the eternal fruit of love and what better way to celebrate the season of love than with fresh strawberries and cinnamon French toast? It has been an absolute favourite amongst all the guests,” says executive chef Sinchan Mukherjee.
Priced Rs 225, stop by the 21B, Hindustan Road address (in the lane opposite Bhojohori Manna), any time between 11am and 11pm.
Strawberry Rosogolla from Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick
When strawberry is combined with Kolkata’s very own emotion, rosogolla, the outcome is magical. Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick fuse tradition with modernity in their Valentine’s Day offerings this season. Try the sweet Strawberry Rosogolla, available across all city outlets from February 7 - 14, for Rs 30 per piece.
Strawberry Mango Smoothie Bowl from Tribe Cafe
This ‘healthy’ breakfast or brunch bowl is perfect for a probiotic diet. Available on the menu for the next six months, it is already the best-selling smoothie bowl. “Our Strawberry Mango Smoothie Bowl sells the most amongst the other varieties. Strawberry is loved for both its look and taste, and most people like to add it to either drinks or smoothies,” shares Shilpa Chakraborty, co-owner, Tribe Cafe.
Priced Rs 280 (plus taxes) per bowl, try it at the Golpark, Salt Lake and Behala branches of the cafe, open from 11am to 10pm.
Fresh Strawberry Gateau from Flurys
When a pastry doesn’t cut it, go for the whole cake! The Strawberry Gateau from Kolkata’s iconic tearoom Flurys is made with the juiciest strawberries. It is made-to-order and can be customised. So if you are planning a celebration, look no further. “We use the same strawberries for making the compote filling as well as garnishing the top. It will be available as long as we find quality strawberries, which is usually till mid-February,” says Vikas Kumar, director, food production, Park Hotels. The made-to-order Strawberry Gateau is available for Rs 1,000 per pound at all Flurys outlets.
Strawberry Lemonade from 8th Day Café and Bakery
When you combine the sweet taste of fresh strawberries with the tanginess of fresh lime, you get the perfect sweet-tangy Strawberry Lemonade. This refreshing drink at 8th Day Café and Bakery welcomes the Kolkata summer.
“Strawberries lend themselves beautifully to beverages and dishes. The response from our customers has been great,” says Rakesh Sikdar, manager of the Vivekananda Park outlet. Available till the end of the fruit at the 6 West Range, 11 Jatin Bagchi Road and Salt Lake outlets for Rs 159 plus taxes (per glass) from 9am to 9pm.
Balsamic Strawberry & Ricotta on Toast from Potboiler Coffee House
Planning a date with your loved ones? Visit Potboiler Coffee House and engage in quality time with your bae over a cup of coffee and Balsamic Strawberry & Ricotta on Toast. A new take on the classic bread with the added sweetness of the strawberry makes for a good breakfast. Priced Rs 285 at the P-468 Lake Terrace Road dine den, between noon and 10 pm.
Strawberries and Cream Pancake from Pinkk Sugars Patisserie & Artisanal Bakery
Here’s your favourite pancake getting a strawberry makeover! Try the Strawberries and Cream Pancake from Pinkk Sugars Patisserie & Artisanal Bakery and start your day on a sweet note. These light and fluffy pancakes are sweetened with fresh cream and strawberries and a drizzle of maple syrup. The item is available on the menu till the end of February.
“The idea was to present strawberries in a more appealing variation and a different combination paired with other ingredients in the food family. We have received an amazing response from our customers and some of the other bestsellers from our strawberry-special menu are Strawberry Charcoal Bruschetta and Strawberry Hot Chocolate,” says Aayushi Bajaj, owner of Pinkk Sugars Patisserie & Artisanal Bakery in Sector 1. The dish is priced at Rs 425 per plate.
Strawberry Margarita from Baraf by Aditya Group
A sweet kick at the end of a hard day is all you need to lift your spirits. The Strawberry Margarita from Baraf by Aditya Group is a frozen strawberry drink, with a mix of tequila, lime juice and strawberry crush. “We always try to experiment with our cocktails, and for this season I found this fusion cocktail specially curated for Valentine’s Day,” says owner Roshni Aditya. It is available at the Garia eatery from 11am to midnight for Rs 495.
Strawberry Monte Carlo from Club Verde by Ambuja Neotia
This dessert in a glass is bound to win hearts. The Strawberry Monte Carlo from Club Verde by Ambuja Neotia is a layered dessert made with fluffy white cream, sponge cake, crushed strawberry and rich vanilla ice cream. The aroma of vanilla pushes the tarty sweetness of the strawberries and wins over your senses. Avijit Mukherjee, unit head, Club Verde comments, “We wanted to do something different this strawberry season, apart from regular ice creams, cakes and shakes. So we tried a brand new dessert to stand out from the crowd.” Get served at the Chak Garia branch between 9am and midnight. The dessert costs Rs 219 plus taxes.
