Have a taste of the latest Kebab-whiskey pairing at Kolkata's favourite watering hole, Barf Soda Paani

This summer, Barf Soda Paani has vowed to make us smarter drinkers, by recommending the most flavourful kebabs to go with select whiskey shots 
Vegetarian Platter at Barf Soda Paani
Vegetarian Platter at Barf Soda Paani

Nothing sustains us in this blistering summer like a well-paired offering of whiskey and kebabs, and Park Street watering hole Barf Soda Paani is stepping up to do the needful. Located at the heart of Park Street, on the first floor of Magma House, BSP is currently hosting a Kebab and Whiskey Festival, which will go on until the end of this month. We dropped in on a demandingly humid afternoon, to cool off with the help of some expertly curated pairings of top-notch whiskey and melt-in-the-mouth kebabs. And, let’s just say, BSP was the right place to be. The casual dining eatery has been set up with one focus in mind — to help you drink well. From personal ice-boxes to the soda and water taps attached with every table, and the muted wooden setting, the 89-seater joint is quite literally our fondest neighbourhood pub. 

<em>Nimbu Mirchi ka Fish Tikka at Barf Soda Paani</em>
Nimbu Mirchi ka Fish Tikka at Barf Soda Paani

“Barf, soda and paani are the staple elements we need with our alcohol, and we wanted those to be on-the-house and readily accessible. The ice boxes set up at every table, and soda taps, actually save you minutes that you might have spent in calling servers over, or waiting for them to arrive. This makes your experience so much easier,” offers franchise owner, Anuraag Basotia. In fact, BSP founder Abhimanyu Maheshwari also stresses on the joint’s no-frills, utilitarian approach to pubbing. Our appetisers started pouring in soon after, and we were delighted to find out that each kebab dish comes with a recommended whiskey; the drinks and the dishes are priced separately, so you can easily mix things up. 

<em>Non-Veg Platter with William Lawson Pauwa at Barf Soda Paani</em>
Non-Veg Platter with William Lawson Pauwa at Barf Soda Paani

The menu featured an astonishingly diverse array of vegetarian and non-vegetarian kebabs, and some of them featured a desi spin on global grills. Our first choice was the non-veg platter, which featured the Silbatte ki Shammi kebab, Hanoi Grilled Chicken and Nimbu Mirchi ka Fish Tikka. The platter was paired with a William Lawson Pauwa, and we have to admit, the recommended whiskey was a total winner. As the platter had an assorted range of spiced meats, the light, grainy finish of the Lawson fits in perfectly, and doesn’t make your taste buds work too hard. The Hanoi Grilled chicken, a Vietnamese number, was a delicious and full-flavoured option. It was subtly tangy, and had just the right consistency, considering it was a barbecued speciality. 

<em>Mushroom Gilouti kebab</em>
Mushroom Gilouti kebab

The pan-grilled mutton shammi kebab and the Nimbu Mirchi Tikka were both surprisingly easy on seasoning, which is ideal for summer binging. The shammi kebab was a pretty standard, smooth and tender preparation, ever so slightly crunchy. The fish tikka had a familiar desi relish, made with boneless bhetki cubes, cooked on a slow tandoor, marinated with lime and chilli. Besides the Lawson Pauwa, either of these items go really well with a matured Scotch, with a creamy feel. We also discovered that the festival menu paired a very succulent variation of the Mushroom Gilouti Kebab with the Tennessee special Jack Daniels. This is a fantastic match for obvious reasons. Both the Gilouti and the whiskey have amazingly distinctive aromas, which will undercut each other really well. 

<em>Silbatte ke shammi kebab</em>
Silbatte ke shammi kebab

The Bhatti ka Paneer, which we were served next, has a delicious tandoor palate; it’s creamy, soft, with a slightly crunchy texture, and served with a herb dip. Paired with a gentle peg of 100 pipers, it helps you make the most of the roasted desi spices. All kebabs on the menu are priced between Rs 225 to Rs 310; whiskeys are priced Rs 365 to Rs 775. 

On till June 10. 

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