Image courtesy: instagram.com/palsmaniaakolkata
When we confabulate about Kolkata or Bengal or the Bengali culture and its people, we mostly keenly refer to the festivals, the heritage buildings, and the sweets of the place. But what many may not know is that ‘Food’ and ‘Cooking’ are very important aspects of the Bengali way of everyday living. Perhaps the association that Bengalis have with food and the cooking part of food is much deeper and emotion-driven than the rest of the country. It is something that needs to be experienced; and given that you have already plans to travel to Kolkata to root for your favourite teams this IPL, give the state a chance to refresh your idea about itself.
The restaurant scene in Kolkata is interestingly diverse and multifaceted. Here are a few for you to try out:
1. Oudh 1590
Oudh 1590 is a confluence of two of the most prominent seats of culture in India - ‘Lucknow’ and ‘Calcutta’. The atmospherics of the restaurant will immediately transport one to the land of old Lucknow. Type of furniture that was peculiar to the Lucknow culture of that era; wall decorations and paintings that reflect the same mood; cutleries of brass, copper, and other metals that were substantially used in those days by the wealthy Kings of the time; and even the liveried waitpersons remind of the retinues who worked for the royal families. The menu is one fascinating sight itself at it reads out a list of interestingly appealing dishes that pertained to that era as well as the modern day Lucknow cuisine culture. The restaurant has today opened up multiple outlets in the city on account of the fame that it has acquired over last few years.
2. Blue Mug
Tucked away in the beautiful Jodhpur Park area in South Kolkata, the blue Mug café is a beautiful place to hang out with your friends. The setting is quite far-out, of nonconformist sort, with sitting arrangements both inside and outside. While the seating arrangement outside is set in a balcony with garden around. And the arrangement inside is very chic, fun, and youthful. There are books that are well-maintained in racks for visitors to read while sipping on a cup of coffee, besides several acoustic instruments that enhance the appearance of the place as well as for you to play. The food is really good, and the best part is that they often come up ingeniously with new recipes from time to time.
Image: instagram.com/palsmaniaakolkata
3. One Step Up
4. Karma Kettle
Another quaint restaurant, Karma Kettle, is located in Ballygunge. It reflects a very colourful, happy, unconventionally attractive atmosphere. The food is really interesting where the menu reads a wide range of items, both Indian and English. In fact the place has acquired fame on account of the curious breakfast items. Perhaps the most hackneyed corner to click a selfie is the deep-blue-coloured door inside the parlour.
As you travel to Kolkata, make it appoint to explore at least one of these restaurants. So what are you waiting for? Get yourself a flight ticket and get ready for a fantastic holiday
Author : Satarupa Hajra