Speak of Christmas and one is reminded of elaborate meals of Roast Turkey in Cranberry Sauce, Roast Lamb or Chicken… the kind of food many of us grew up reading about in Enid Blyton, or even Harry Potter books. Unless, of course, you were lucky enough to have an Anglo-Indian friend whose home served the most delicious Christmas meals!
In recent years, the Festive Feast Menu at Chapter 2 has been bringing that same “global nostalgia” that envelopes Christmas to the plates of south Kolkata — especially the Southern Avenue and Lake area, a food zone that has exploded in the last few years with cafes and restaurants mushrooming.
“The menu has Christmas delicacies not only from Kolkata, but all over the world. When people celebrate Christmas, they usually have turkey, pork, duck, and in some countries like China, there is even lobster. This menu brings all of that together on one plate,” shared Debaditya Chaudhury, the managing director of Chapter 2, Oudh 1590 and Chowman. Chowman also has an ongoing duck festival, which you can read about more here.
“Mostly, it’s the star hotels that serve Turkey, as it is perceived to be expensive. So, by serving it in a stand-alone restaurant, we are hopeful that the middle-class khaddo roshik Bangali will like it,’’ added founder-director Shiladitya.
The founder-directors of Chapter 2, Debaditya and Shiladitya Chaudhury, hosted the luncheon on December 13
The ‘Big Five’ menu packs in Orange Glazed Turkey, Roast Lamb in Red Wine Jus, Roast Duck in Hoisin Sauce, Apple Glazed Ham Steak Stuffed Turkey and Grilled Beckti in Balsamic Glaze.
But it is the turkey that seems to be ruling the roost.
Roast Turkey (L) is a top pick, as is the Roast Lamb (R)
“Turkey takes around three hours to make. We roast the whole turkey, then slice it, after that we serve it with various sauces, sauteed vegetables and mashed potatoes. For Christmas, people love turkey the most, especially with cranberry sauce. Seafood lovers prefer baked boneless fish and lobsters,” shared chef Sushanta Halder, the magician in the kitchen.
Baked Whole Beckti and Lobster Thermidor
For vegetarians, there is Broccoli and Cauliflower Casserole, Cottage Cheese Pie and Vegetable Moussaka.
This isn’t all, to top off your meals, wrap up the feast with desserts like Rich Plum Cake and Espresso Martini Brownie. All this while you foot-tap to live music daily.
On Christmas Day, the restaurant will host a morning of Christmas Carols involving friends, family and neighbours. The dress code? Red-and-white, of course!
Address: P-377 Hemanta Mukhopadhyay Sarani, Southern Avenue, Kolkata 700029
Time: 12pm to 11pm
Meal for two, without liquor: Rs 1,000 (approx)