Curry Nation, IB Block
When: Panchami to Dashami, noon to midnight
Pocket pinch: Non-vegetarian items are priced between Rs 315 and 525; rice items are between Rs 210 to 252
Curry Nation will be offering coastal cuisine this puja and foodies will get to sample everything from Sri Lankan to Catholic Syrian dishes.
You can start with Kerala Chicken Mappas, a mildly-spiced, creamy coconut-based dish. “This recipe comes from the kitchens of the Catholic Syrians who settled in our southern state. It uses coconut cream and coconut milk and is also available in mutton,” says Indrani Mukherjee, who runs the restaurant.
Those looking for fiery flavours must try Murgh Malbani from the Konkan belt. Cooked with aromatic spices like star anise, black pepper and big cardamom, it promises a hot and sour gravy.
“Ours is a pan-Indian cuisine restaurant but we are making an exception and introducing a Sri Lankan coastal recipe as it’s too good to miss out,” smiles Mukherjee. “Sri Lankans make generous use of tamarind and their prawn curry that we’re serving use tamarind as well as coconut and coriander leaves. It’ll have a tangy twist to it.”
Try Kerala Prawn Moilee for its light coconut milk-based gravy or English Mustard Magic, available in bekti and prawn. “This one plays to the Bengal palate but is our original recipe,” says Mukherjee. “We use English mustard instead of the Indian one to control the pungency. The taste is balanced with honey and the fish is tossed in mustard oil along with bell pepper, onions and green chillies.”
The coastal dishes will team best with Malabari Ghee Rice or Burnt Garlic Rice.
“Bengali food is done to death during the Pujas but there are many more cuisines foodies never get to try. This is our attempt to introduce them to new flavours,” says Mukherjee.
Calcutta Bakery Cafe, BD Block
Gin Baked Crab
When: Noon to 10.30pm from Mahalaya to Sashthi; noon to 2am from Saptami to Dashami
Pocket pinch: All items are priced between Rs 315 and 630While continental fare is the mainstay at this cafe, they are trying out some oriental fusion meals for this festival. So on the menu will be grilled fish but instead of the regular lemon-butter sauce poured atop, it will be spiced with galangal, the southeast Asian staple. The betki or basa would be served with basil rice and potato wedges.
There will be bao – the soft Chinese steamed buns – but the filling would be European style pulled-pork. “Continental food is very popular today but it has only come up some 10 years ago. Before that, Calcuttans grew up on Chinese grub so for the pujas, we wanted to give a Chinese or oriental touch to the food,” says director of the cafe, Sumana Saha Mallik.
“We are one of the only eateries in the township that serve pork and it is a favourite,” she continues. “We used to serve an Ultimate Pork Platter that we had discontinued early this year but on public demand, it will make a comeback during the pujas.” The platter will serve portions of pork chops, ham, bacon and home-made sausages along with garlic bread and eggs.There’s ample choice for fish lovers too. Parmesan Crusted Fish is herb-marinated betki coated in parmesan cheese and panko and pan seared. It would be served with French Fries, salad and chimichuri sauce that is a blend of ingredients like coriander and mint.They are also introducing Jumbo Prawn Thermidor, the classic preparation of herb-marinated prawns baked in prawn shell with cheese and fresh cream. The dish would be served with sauteed vegetables and mashed potato.For dessert, they are launching tiramisu.
Ibis Kolkata Rajarhat
A selection of the Puja fare at Ibis Kolkata Rajarhat.
What: Durga Puja Mahabhoj Thali and midnight buffet
When: October 19 to 24
Pocket pinch-
Thali: Rs 2,004 (non-vegetarian), Rs 1,415 (vegetarian) for two.
Midnight buffet: Rs 706 (non-veg), Rs 599 (veg) per head.
The star address in Action Area I has fixed the thali pricing for a couple, based on the assumption that no one comes alone during Puja. It will be a purely Bengali spread as traditional fare is preferred for lunch on the festive days. “In case someone comes alone or a group is an odd-numbered one we will offer a discount,” says executive chef Avisek Chand. He plans to serve Mutton Dakbungalow, Lonka Bata Murgi, Rui Machher Kalia and Chicken Kosha along with other dishes.
“We came up with plans for a midnight buffet as pandal-hopppers remember about food when it is time to close for most eateries. And what they look for at this time is simple food that they can take quickly before hitting the road again,” said general manager Amita Mishra.
The midnight buffet, available from 12 midnight to 3am, will be a mix of Chinese and Mughlai dishes. “There will be options in biryani, pulao and noodles alongside two non-vegetarian dishes,” said the chef.Dinner will be an a la carte affair and will be served till 11pm. The hotel is associated with the Newtown Sarbojanin puja at the City Square grounds nearby where it will offer discount coupons to meals.
De Sovrani
Buffet spread at De Sovrani
Where: DD Block
When: Sashthi to Dashami (12pm to 4pm, 7pm to 11pm)
At: Sand
Pocket pinch: Rs 1,299
This DD Block hotel still focuses on Bengali food but from different regions of the country and even Bangladesh.
Their most extravagant offering is a buffet with a total of 64 items of starters, live chaats, salads, non-veg pickles, main courses and desserts including prawn, mutton and hilsa preparations along with an alcoholic beverage.
“This year we have focused on uplifting Bangaliyana and have put together a menu which includes traditional and modern preparations along with fusion items with other cultures like Assamese Bengali, Odiya Bengali and east Bengali preparations,” said Kamalini Paul, managing director of De Sovrani.
Highlights of the menu include Podda Parer Ilish Bhapa, Cox Bazarer Thread Chicken, Daab Malai Chingri Posto, Golmorich Diye Bhetki Roast, Ahamia Mutton, Veg Chapli Kabab, Chandra Jalebi and Mihidana Cheese Cake.
At: Maple Banquet
Pocket pinch: Rs 799
Here they have an economy buffet of 35 preparations with items like Naakhali Mangshor Laal Jhol, Shila Bata Lote Macher Chop, Pur Bhora Potoler Dorma to name a few.
“While upholding traditions, we also love experimenting. We have prepared a variety of non-veg pickles and other fusion items so there’s something for everyone,” said chef Manoj Kumar Shaw.
At: Library
When: Till 2am
This one’s for those looking to escape the crowd and enjoy a quite drink with some retro music. The ground floor bar will offer a range of cocktails, different drinks packages and interesting starters like Lebanese Cheese Roll, Prawn Tempura and Thread Chicken.
At: Sky View Café
When: 1pm to 1am
Their rooftop retreat will have live performances from 5pm to 11pm along with a puja special menu. There will be cocktail and drink packages too.
The hotel is also offering a staycation package of Rs 9,999 per day for a twin-sharing room, including two premium buffets, a pandal-hopping trip to the neighbourhood and a chance to offer anjali at a Salt Lake puja. On Dashami, boarders will also be taken to watch the immersion of idols.
The hotel offers take-away packs or home delivers in neighbouring areas too. The menu here includes Bengali thalis with vegetable, fish, chicken or mutton options as well as Chinese veg and non-veg combos.
Orko’s, City Centre
Puja food at Orko’s, City Centre.
Ebar Pujoy Bhuribhoj Khete Jabo Orko’s
When: October 19-24, lunch buffet 12.30-4.30pm, dinner: a la carte
Pocket pinch: Rs 1399 (non-veg), Rs 1099 (veg)The lunch buffet will include items like Kasha Mangsho, Machher Paturi, Chingrir Malaicurry, Potoler Dolma, Biryani and Chhanar Jilipi. The predominantly Bengali menu will have some Chinese and Continental items too.
Dinner will be served till midnight on Panchami, Sashthi and Dashami. On Ashtami and Navami, dining hours will be extended till 2am.
“We got a great response last year. The rush was the maximum at dinner. People ate light and went pandal-hopping,” said executive chef Debanjan Sinha.