Located on the bustling Lavelle Road, EatWater, a new East Indian food studio, is easy to miss. EatWater is a tongue-in- cheek reference to the phrase “jol khabo” in Bengali, meaning to “eat” water. Their menu spans Bengali, Oriya and Meghalayan dishes. The decor is simple and minimalistic but the addition of a rickshaw by the entrance adds some kitsch.
We were served three dips with homemade banana chips and savory snacks as we sat down. We nibbled on these moreish treats as we perused the menu. They have a set menu and also an a la carte one. We started with the Split Pea and Raw Mango Soup. The mustard seed tempering was very flavourful, but we could not taste much raw mango. The Mutton Mince and Mung Lentil Soup, was comforting and spicy.
From the appetisers, we tried the Bitter and Blossoms, bitter gourds stuffed with banana flowers, a must-try. We also tried the delicate Steamed Fish Kebab — minced Bhetki and prawns steamed in a banana leaf.
We started our main course with a vegetarian dish — Deep Fried Green Pea Cakes in a Spicy Gravy. The distinct Bengali-style gravy went well with the Kasundi (mustard) rice we had on the side. We also ordered the Prawns in Coconut Cream Sauce — a mellow coconut and cashew gravy.
Another classic we tried was the Mutton Kosha — slow cooked pieces of mutton in a piquant gravy. We had it with the Pulao, but found that a little sweet for our palate. Some other options for main course are the Oriya chicken dish — Kukkuda Sorisa, the Oriya Coastal Mutton Curry and the Meghalayan smoked pork delicacy, Dohnehong.
A Bengali meal is incomplete without dessert. EatWater has a mix of traditional as well as modern desserts. We dug into the Mango and Date Palm Cheesecake which had a good balance of flavours. We also had the Tender Coconut Ice Cream which was extra delicious because of the chunks of tender coconut. With its unique regional menu and great service, EatWater is definitely worth a visit.
Rs. 1,000 for two. At Lavelle Road
anagha@newindianexpress.com
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