"HAKUNA MATATA" : CHARACTER WISE CHANGE OVER

Partha Pratim Majumder , Food Blogger

Is Park Street changing - character wise ?

This may be a debatable issue for so many .... but for me this road has always been a point of discovery .... since my boyhood ..... across the decades ..... and even now....

Park Street has seen it all .... from continental confluence in breakfast ..to Indian Cuisine ... to Cabaret Dance .... to Boozing ... to Kebabmania to .... off late the fast food craze e.g Pizza Hut - KFC & McDonald's ... where sumptuous lunch and dinner gradually make way to whole day food culture .... with focus on less food but more on display (be it on the platter or inside the restaurant)

"HAKUNA MATATA" is a new addition - one such veg. food joint with drinks counter to showcase fusion food items of newer world as under :

(a) Hakuna Matata - Main Entrance
(b) Bulb Mocktail / Cocktail
(c) Crispy Papdi Chat
(d) Decor @ ceiling to show Wish Tree 

Pocket pinch - Rs.440/- for one

Finally, after the meal is over , your appetite for food may still remain but experience wise, you may feel content ... to the fullest to conclude ....

Yes, our Park Street seems to  have  a thorough  changeover .....

AU BON PAIN ::: Great Chicken Soup & Chilly Cheese Croissant

WEEKEND FOOD COLUMN : AU BON PAIN 

Cream of Chicken Soup

AU BON PAIN 

Friends !

Do you have a soft corner for soup ? Here is a small cuppa - belonging to variety flavors and tastes ... spreading aroma ..... and nutrition to grip your mind and nerves. 

The soup is ready .... boiling hot .... aroma reaching out to your senses .... The waiter smiles ... looks up to you to see you are fresh to receive the fresh cuppa .... boneless chicken pieces immerse in the pool of taste and happiness. 

Of all, Cream of Chicken Soup stands aloft with pearls of peas and carrot pieces floating around under the sprinkling of black pepper and salt ..... when a piece of Chilly Cheese Croissant is accompanied with it .....

Cream of Chicken Soup & Chilly Cheese Croissant

Chilly Cheese Croissant  is a soft and tender bread with a topping  of cheese fried with red chilly powder .... having a pungent taste in mouth.

Soup with Croissant go hand in  hand to your mouth .... throat and finally .... tummy without any query and stop.

This is why , food lovers love to call the both - "Made For Each Other".

And the result is amazingly fresh and healthy .... to again reconfirm that "Health is always wealth"....... Ha... Ha... Ha...

SUDIPA-R  RANNAGHAR :

TV Point to Food Joint 

  

In Bengal, who does n’t see Zee Bangla TV’s  “Daily Culinary Program”   in the name of “Rannaghar”  at the typical “Bikelbela” (late afternoon)  ? and its anchor Sudipa ?  Who comes in with daily-cious delicacies, amateur & expert cooks to try hand and various kitchen appliances in between , what to speak about the gamut of gift vouchers 

Mohanagarer Mohabhoj     :::  

But who has predicted the result of a TV Show  to reflect at  the grass root level ? The new born baby named “SUDIPA-R RANNAGHAR”, a food joint for classes  and masses has become a reality  following the famous dictum - "the proof of pudding is in eating".

On last Sunday,  we stepped in  for our Sunday Lunch to measure the fathom of three parameters  of delicacies on offer  apart from the atmosphere  & décor of the place :

                    1.    Taste

                    2.    Texture

                    3.    Look

WIDE SPREAD OF GOOD FOOD :::

Sunday is a day of Buffet Lunch ….. (Menu Card Attached)

Pocket Pinch – (Non Veg) @ Rs. 950/- + Taxes  ----- (Veg) @ Rs.650/- + Taxes

We went for A La Carte Menu as under :

·         Rice  +  Dhokar Dalna + Golda Chingri Malai Curry + Gurer Rasamalai

·         Pocket Pinch – Rs. 1200/- for two

Galda Chingrir (Jumbo Prawn) Malai Curry  

Quality of food – of winning standard for best spices, oil and material  used

Service                - ok

Price index       - Higher than the others of the same bracket

Address           -  37/1, Purnadas Road, Kolkata – 29 (Phone – 033-4067-7032)

Buffet - Menu Card 

- The End - 

WEEKEND COLUMN : THOUGHT FOR FOOD ::: 27.12.2015

Welcome To ALFRESCO of

The Lalit Great Eastern Hotel !!!

THE GREAT EASTERN HOTEL OF DALHOUSIE SQ. ::: MY TRYST WITH THE LEGEND

In 1975 :

During my youth (at my 19^th year) , while working with The Times Of India to increase subscription of The Economic Times, (Calcutta edition just launched), my first pay had a cause of jubilation in its only restaurant  at the first floor with a B & W TV set, showing news to the worried audience………….  The stairs had been wooden with screaming sound , walls showing marks of rejections and floor carpet giving smelly gift of 115 years.

Only one exception  - a photo-frame of this legendary hotel ,  wherefrom freshness used to ooze out from the verse of Tagore :

“Basonaar- sera – basaa – rasonaai” – Desire’s best residence is in taste …. 

The Great Eastern Hotel : Earlier Image 

BACKGROUND :

·         From its early days as a thriving confectionary shop and meeting place for the East India Company's officers in the late 1830’s, this five-star hotel is a celebration of the iconic legacy of the Raj. Referred to as the “Jewel of the East” and the “Best Hotel East of the Suez” by esteemed guest Mark Twain, it has been one of the top hotels in Kolkata for nearly 165 years.

·         Built in 1841 as Auckland Hotel, it has been referred to as the ‘Jewel of the East’ and the ‘Best Hotel East of the Suez’. Over the years, the hotel has been the favourite haunt of royalty and celebrities from across the world.

2015 :

I stepped in the same hotel , with 360 degree change already taken place and  a word “LALIT” added to it.

THE LALIT GREAT EASTERN HOTEL : Present image 

THE LALIT GREAT EASTERN HOTEL :

·         Asia’s first luxury hotel, The Lalit Great Eastern is a heritage landmark located in the main business and shopping district of Kolkata. Restored and renovated over a period of seven years, this 5-star luxury hotel holds the distinction of being the longest continuously operating hotel for 165 years.

·         The Lalit Great Eastern, now restored to its original glory, is an amalgamation of the styles of 3 different eras of history – Victorian, Edwardian and Contemporary, reflected in Heritage Block 1, Heritage Block 2 and the New Block respectively. The original Heritage Block radiates the charm of the British Colonial Era, while the New Block incorporates a contemporary look and feel. These blocks have been seamlessly connected despite their distinct character and decor.

·         The Lalit Great Eastern offers 195 aesthetically designed rooms and suites; 5 restaurants & bar - The Legacy Lounge, Tea Lounge, Alfresco - all day diner, The Bakery, Wilson’s - the pub; one of the largest conference and banquet facility; Rejuve – The spa with aqua bed, gym, salon, bridal’s room and outdoor pool.

 

Lobby 

·         In its second phase of opening in last quarter of 2014, the hotel will offer 49 rooms and suites in Heritage block 1, Baluchi – the Signature Pan Indian Restaurant, 24/7 – Multi Cuisine All Day Diner, Maxim’s Bar & Restaurant and Kitty Su – The Night Club.

·         The Lalit Great Eastern Kolkata is a heritage landmark that has witnessed the evolving history of India, particularly of Bengal.

·         After a meticulous seven-year refurbishment, the hotel showcases a distinctive blend of Victorian, Edwardian and Contemporary architecture and décor. The original Heritage Block radiates the charm of the British Colonial Era, while the Modern Block incorporates a contemporary look and feel, enhanced with authentic Bengali artworks, crafts and design elements.

·         The Great Eastern’s heritage and history are celebrated in details like a century old oven preserved and adorning the interiors of The Bakery, the beautifully restored century-old piano in the lobby and an 8 ft replica of the trophy that Queen Elizabeth II presented to Mr. A.L. Bilimoria, the then Chairman of Great Eastern hotel.

ALFRESCO : 24 X 7 Coffee Shop

Alfresco Coffee Shop 24 X 7

World cuisine :  fresh from kitchen

Menu Card

Located at the lobby level, this all day multi-cuisine diner offers a range of world cuisine and signature dishes from Bengal.

Savour 5-star cuisine ranging from Bengali and Nawabi delicacies to Anglo-Indian specialties, whilst enjoying beautiful views of the lily pond and hotel courtyard.

Cuisine: Multi-cuisine
Timings: 24 hours

Pocket Pinch : @ Rs. 350/- per cup of  Masala Tea
For table reservations, call:  +91 33 4444 7777

Mutton Roganjosh 

WEEKEND COLUMN :THOUGHT FOR FOOD ::: 20.12.2015

3 DAY FISH  FEST 2015 @ 

NALBAN                                                           

PART  1

Cooking Contest : Contestants On The Stage Waiting For Judges 

HIGHLY O(FISH)IAL AFFAIR INDEED !!!

With the first cold air of winter, arrives the series of fairs and festivals in West Bengal – one behind the other …. In various shapes and sizes…. Like the migratory birds in a queue …

But “Fish” as a focal point ?

Pavillion 

Yeah, fish appears to be a source of life and part of celebration in Bengal’s culture and tradition for centuries. “Every day a piece of fish on the dish” is the unwritten law that rules the roost of all kitchens and households.

Therefore it is natural that fish has its sentiment cemented with the sentiment of Bengalese too so as to enable one such 3 Day “Fish Festival” to happen and has just ended today near the sprawling water body of NALBAN (beside IT Sector) in Kolkata. 3 days of festival time have been eventful and out of the box more than a fishy affair… in true sense.

LIST OF ORGANIZERS :

The entire event has had a whole lot of organizers like
• Indian Chamber of Commerce, a national chamber
• Deptt. of Fisheries, Govt. of WB
• Ministry of Commerce & Industry , Govt. of India
• State Fisheries Development Corporation
• National Fisheries Board
• Export Inspection Council

Bhojohari Manna's Stall 

The above apart, several international buyers, delegates from Japan, China, Vietnam, Oman & UAE attended this event with much enthusiasm alongwith “who’s who” of bankers and big players like IFB Agro Industries, Axis Bank, SBI, Bank of Baroda and Export Houses in food processing to discuss pros and cons of Pomfrets to Prawns.

Lunch Time 

No fair is complete if no fair size of food stalls are visible , particularly , when its “Fish” as a fairly talking point for 3 l…o…n…g days….

6 Ballygunge Place

FOOD STALLS YOU WOULD LOVE TO RUN FOR !!!

The food stalls are also prone to “who’s who” of culinary dishes and food business of the city , people would love to run for as under :

• Bhojohari Manna
• 6 Ballygunge Place
• Bawarchi
• Bhuter Raja Dilo Bor
• Oudh 1590
• BENFISH
• Pithe Bilashi
• Continental
• Bijoli Grill &
• Many more

The crowd had a smart way of enjoying food …. In a group or alone being much more relaxed as if ………….without fishing in troubled water while the ovens were busy enough to fry the fish or prepare succulent kebab to reach hungry mouth without much wastage of time…..

Paper Advt. 

CULINARY CONTEST & THE HEAT OF COOKING :::

The air at the festival had not only the aroma of fish and spices but also that of cooking skill , contest, award and celebration. Amidst the huge enthusiastic crowd , each passionate contestant had 15 minute round and innovation as resource, while judges sharpened their testing skill on 3 parameters (a) Garnishing (b) Taste (c) Texture.

Mr. Ranjan Kumar, Zonal Manager, IFB Agro with the contestants 

I was honoured by the organizers to be one of 3 judges for a round. The contest was sponsored and organized in collaboration with IFB Agro Industries Ltd. and ICC.

Mr. Ranjan Kumar, Zonal Manager, IFB Agro with the contestants

(More report & pictures on “Contest” in Part 2 – to be published on 26.12.2015)

Dak Bunglow @ Bentinck St. Kolkata - 1 ?

Dak  Bunglow @ Bentinck  St.  Kol - 1 ?

There may be an utter confusion in you to search for a Dak Bunglow  amidst the din and bustle of Bentick Street crossing, where car horns are loud enough to reduce you to pieces. You may also wonder to locate such an unique place there in the day or evening , when the same hardly exists at all.

AAMI BANGALI RESTAURANT (at 29B, Bentinck Street Kol-700 001/Phone : 4062-5050/90383-00333)  :::

But in stead, Chicken Dak Bunglow is smiling from the menu card of Aami Bangali Restaurant , the house of Authentic Bengali Cuisine This is a rich delicacy recalling the indulgence hitting the tastebud of the right crowd for the right food.

Situated amidst “who’s who” of cuisine, food and beverages at Esplanade spreading wings of Mughlai, Chinese, Thai , South Indian and so called “North Indian delicacies”, Bengali Authentic dishes are also making their distinct mark with flying colors.

My tryst with “Aami Bangali” does not emphasize on the core issue that “Aami –o Bangali” , ha… ha… ha… but a heavenly connection.

 The sooner I  entered the  joint at the suggestion of an office colleague for taking a parcel, I had a sense of an authentic “Bangal-i” cuisine like Murgh Polao, Kachupata Chingri, Dhonepata die Pabda and so many more , an aroma of East Bengal touching the hearts of all in this West Bengal and beyond.  

FOOD YOU WOULD LOVE TO DIE FOR !!!

The typical mouth-watering dish like “Kachupata Chingri” happens to be all time hit  here.

Mr. Argha Saha, the CEO and MD of this chain of eateries narrates a story connected with the brilliant Kachupata Chingri and its success story too. Several office goers  of this famous “Office Enclave “ take it as parcel to the other cities by flight, to enjoy it with rice during their stay at any hotel  on official tour. I wonder that there are people who would love to die for this finger licking “Kachupata Chingri” , even miles away……….

CHICKEN DAK BUNGLOW :::

Coming back to ‘Dak Bunglow’ made of Chicken with large and round Laccha Roti – this combination can be  justifiably named as “made for each other”  with a fresh touch of green salad. It is a sizzling hot,  rich and tasty curry, under which, the chicken solid pieces are buried to be picked up by the devilish eater inside you.

And once those succulent pieces move inside your mouth with flesh and bones …….. you are in the seventh heaven for sure.

Mr. Saha’s friendly gift “Anarosher Chutney” was another little angel from the stock to amaze us. So vibrant in the mouth with tickling nature of this great fruit mixed with sweetness leaving with an aroma of pleasure in our sense !!!

The venture of Aami Bangali is a venture of Gen-Y …. carrying the torch of a great tradition of Bengali specialty and cuisine to showcase its uniqueness and excellence to the young generation with faces & Face book i.ds , who may often need this not for the sake of their comfort but the survival as well.

SECRET AT THE LAST :::

“Chabbya Chossyo Lehjjyo Peo” Group page  of Facebook – a day to day diary of food lovers every where in "Social Media" owe to Mr. Argya Saha,  a great extent , as he is the founder and Admin.

He has proved a point that what preaches ,  he practises  the same as well. 

To all of us he belongs to a class of a rare and exemplary  community  ……. to establish the old value chain like commitment, focus and innovation, by which certainly the great success stories are made of. 

                                                        ----- 000 -----

PO LIN  Divine Food  : 

Where Monks Cook For Your Lunch  Daily ….

By Partha Pratim Majumder

Po Lin Veg. Restaurant - Po Lin Monastery , Hong Kong 

DIVINE REVELATION :

In the material world of cooks and chefs preparing food night and day at eateries, food joints and top class restaurants across the world , you may wonder asto whether there is a place where monks put hard work to grow crops and cook divine food for you everyday against a  price tag?

Po Lin Monastery - Inside 

Yes ! there is such a place in Asia  !!! At Po Lin Monastery in Hong Kong, this is a regular event at the attached restaurants , where divine lunch hour comes down with most delectable veg. cuisine on the table to the tourists and devotees , coming across miles to the oldest monastery (year of inception-1924) in Hong Kong.

Po Lin Monastery : Panoramic View 

MY EXPERIENCE :

Last year in October, I  visited  to Po Lin at Nong- Pin , situated on the hill top amidst green , offering  serenity and peace of mind. It’s a two hour drive from Hong Kong city by underground train and bus or cable car , named as Nong-Pin 360.   

Nong-Pin  is famous tourist honey pot for the world’s largest Buddha, called as Tian Tan Buddha , seating on a hill top. There are 260 steps to go up and 260 steps to go down. The statue carries a weight of 202 tonnes and height of 23m.  

Tian Tan Buddha 

This unique spot is accompanied by an unique village called “Nong-Pin village”, where fun and frolic  touching upon western culture and cuisine  has been well designed so far. 

However, your hunger at lunch time after the end of episode of 520 steps must be painstakingly devilish, when the doors of the divine food gets open before you with a serving of “Pure Veg” Chinese thali alongwith an appetizing “Veg Soup”.

The plate has the best of delicacies as under :

         ·            Rice

         ·            Veg. Soup

         ·            Green salad

         ·            Veg. Spring Roll

         ·            Other local items  

The food is served hot in a clean environment ………….. in the name of God.  

Cost @ HK $ 60 - Time - 11.30am to 4.30pm (No garlic and no onion)

When you are done with the same  , l am for sure that the life will not be  same again.