Poila Baisakh bites: Pick your favourite spot for a grand celebration in Kolkata

IT’S Poila Baisakh and it’s that time of the year when you won’t mind serving yourself another helping of the piquant Bhetki Paturi made by your mother or tuck into an extra piece of Kosha Mangsho with Basanti Pulao. However, for those of you who want to indulge without toiling in the kitchen — we have you covered. City diners have prepped up their menu with timeless recipes to make your celebration a grand affair. Pick your spot for that royal lunch or dinner with your loved ones. Shubho Nobo Borsho!

Saffron, The Park

For yet another day of feasting in the Bengali calendar, Saffron, the modern pan-Asian restaurant at The Park, Kolkata, is set to take you on a gastronomic journey this Poila Baisakh. Dig into recipes original to Saffron, like Sorshe Narkel Chingri Bhapa, Chingri Malai Curry, Kosha Mangsho, Dhonepata Diye Aloo Dum, along with Motorsuti Pulao and Tawa Lachha Paratha. You can also tease your taste buds with Tangra style chilli chicken, stir-fried veggies and burnt garlic rice, in case you want to treat yourself to some classic Chinese cuisine. Rs 2,495 (all inclusive). Time: Noon onwards. Details: 98834-65474.

6 Ballygunge Place

The address, 6 Ballygunge Place, is known for its authentic Bengali recipes meticulously curated from the cookbooks of Bengali Bonedi families. Step into the quaint bungalow-style restaurant and savour the choicest fare from the special menu that includes Hinger Kochuri, Badshahi Dal, Baisakher Amej, Morich Murgi and more. Misti Doi, Chanar Malpua, Aamer Chutney and more will satiate your sweet tooth. Buffet Rs 1250 + tax Time: Noon onwards. Details: 97486-06000.

Aaheli, The Peerless Inn

The offerings at this iconic restaurant serving authentic Bengali cuisine for decades in Esplanade are ideal for people looking for a mahabhoj on Poila Baisakh. Sample the Bhuri Bhoj Thali that will treat you to a total of 13 varieties of food, bringing to your platter dishes like Aloodum, Kosha Mangsho, Shorshe Ilish and more. The Mahatshob Thali is ideal for people who prefer vegetarian meals. One can also order fromf à la carte menu. Bhuri Bhoj Thali Rs 2,425 + tax & Mahatshob Thali `1,655 +tax. Time: Noon onwards. Details: 99030-34456.

Oh! Calcutta

An elaborate menu with a sinful dessert section will make the true Bengali happy at Oh! Calcutta. This fine-dining restaurant promises to make Poila Baisakh an affair to remember with its extensive menu that would leave one spoilt for choice. Start with three selections of salad — chicken, fish and gondhoraj (kaffir lime) before you proceed to the quintessential Bengali menu. One can find staples like Chitol Maacher Muitha, Murgir Rezala, Rajbarir Channar Kofta, Aam Diye Bhindi and more. The dessert line-up includes the irresistible Gurer Payesh, Lord Chom Chom, Mishti Doi, Malpua and Chocolate Sondesh. Rs 995 + tax. Time: Noon onwards. Details: 93306-27510.

Sonargaon, Taj Bengal

The iconic hotel in Alipore is set to make this Poila Baisakh memorable for you and your family with their Aamish and Niramsh thali. Taking a break from the tangy Aampora Sherbet, the lunch and dinner deal will start with Beler Ghol that will whet your appetite further for the elaborate bhoj that will follow. Expect Parsher Jhal, Karaishuti Diye Dal, Jhuri Aloo Bhaja, Echorer Kalia, Topshe Fry and much more. Kacha Golla, Mishti Doi and Gobindo Bhog Chaler Payesh will add the sweetest note to your New Year celebrations. Rs 2,450 + tax. Time: 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm (lunch) and 7.30 pm to 11.00 pm (dinner). Details: 6612-3939.

 Raize The Bar

If chances are that you are working on Poila Baisakh and your office is in sector V, hop in to Raize The Bar to celebrate with sumptuous food. Dedicated to offer their patrons a warm and inviting dining experience expect Bengali delicacies to perk up you mood.  Time: noon onwards Price for two: 1800 +taxes (with alcohol)

Chowman

This Poila Baisakh prawn lovers can munch on the new dishes like Sauteed Prawn in Chilli Plum sauce, Chilli Coriander Prawn, Chilli Basil Prawn, Butter Garlic Prawn, Devil’s Prawn and more at Chowman. Special crab dishes like Mountain Chilli Crab Claws, Crab Meat in Chilli Basil and other favourites will also be available from 15^th to 21^st April. Timing – 12 noon – 10:30 pm. Pocket Pinch for two: Rs. 800 plus taxes

Friends of Pho

Friends of Pho celebrates Poila Baisakh with an awesome Asian buffet menu that includes everything you can crave for. From a hot bowl of soup to sinful desserts, there will be different set of menus for vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Available only on Monday, 15th April, 2019. Pocket Pinch: Rs 800/- plus taxes.

The Myx Bar & Kitchen and OTT

The Myx Bar & Kitchen and OTT brings to you the Poila Baisakh Party, to bid adieu to the old and welcome the New Year with a mega celebration all day long. DJ Amyth will create great mixes through the night while you sip on some brilliant mocktails and delicious food. Choose from the selection of delicious assortment that includes Cheesy Enchorer Tikki, Dhone Patar Bora, Crunchy Bok Phool Fritters With Red Cheddar and much more. Time: 4pm – 12midnight Pocket Pinch: Rs.1,000 +taxes

Raajkutir

Raajkutir celebrates the emotions of Poila Boisakh at East India Room with The Colonial Table. A specially curated Chef’s Tasting menu will welcome you to a gastronomic journey that will treat you to delicacies like Raja Nrishinghoprotap’s Dungar Chicken, Old Dhaka City Jali Kebab, Dhakai Porota and more.  The Dessert Assiette Trolley with treat you to mouth-watering MishtiMukh like Makha Sondesh, TilChhai, Sor Doi, Sakthigarher Langcha, Narkol Kheer Diyae Patisapta, Black Forest Pudding and Caramel Custard. When: 13^th – 15^th  April 2019 Pocket Pinch: Rs 999++ per person Details: 62894 61972

JW Marriott, Kolkata

Celebrate Bengali New Year in a traditional way with JW Marriott. Get soaked in the music of Dhunochi and Dhaak performances followed by an authentic and elaborate Bengali menu that will be displayed as a part of the buffet, with an array of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Sink your teeth into signature dishes like Mochar Chop, Fish Fry, Cholar Daal and Luchi, Bhapa Maach, Golda Chingrir Cocktail and more. End your meal with all time favourite Bengali desserts like Sita Bhog, Patishapta, Kamala Bhog, Sandesh, Mihidana and much more. Pocket Pinch: Rs 1675 plus taxes onwards Details: 6633 0000

IBIS

This noboborsho, savour the authentic delicacies of Bengal at Ibis Kolkata, Rajarhat. The chefs here will ensure that the gourmet spread tantalises your taste buds and keep you longing for more. From iconic Bengali dishes like kosha mangsho, chingri malai curry, basanti pulao and shukto, to favorites like dhokar dalna, mochar ghonto, murighonto and macher kalia, there is something in store for everyone. This decadent spread will be available on buffet from 15thApril –21stApril 2019. Pocket Pinch: Rs 999 plus taxes.

Park Pavillion

Get set to dig into some mouthwatering delicacies to celebrate Poila Baisakh with your friends and family at The Park Pavilion, the coffee shop at Jameson Inn Shiraz. Start with coolers like Beler Pora Sarbat, Tok Mishti Aam Sarbat and then move on to salads and Mutton Biryani, Murshidabadi Murgh Korma, Mocha Chingri and Kolaghater Sorse Maach and much more.  Pocket Pinch: Rs 799 plus taxes per person.

Master Dimsum 

Master Dimsum is the place for the ones who love Oriental cuisine. This Poila Baisakh give the quintessential Bengali cuisine a miss and gorge into Sui Mai, Fish Ball Noodle Soup, Thai Dumplings, Chili Chicken Momo, Chicken Sweet and Sour Momo and Prawn Schezwan Momo amongst others at Master Dimsum.  Timings: 11 am to 10 pm Pocket Pinch (for two): Rs 400 plus taxes

Chapter 2

Poila Baishakh Special Menu at Chapter 2 will treat you to Kolkata favourites like Cream Of Chicken Soup, Seafood Chowder, Prawn Cocktail, English Fish Fingers, Chicken Roast, Beckti Lemon Grilled, Spaghetti In Tomato Sauce, Grilled Beckti And Prawn Steak, Cheesecake and Tiramisu amongst others. Pocket Pinch (for two): Rs 1000 + Taxes

Oudh 1590

If Biryani is what’s on your mind this Poila Baishakh then head to Oudh 1590. Their special menu includes Awadhi Sugandhi Mahi and Fish Zafrani Tikka in starters. Move over to the main course with items like Murgh Purdah Biryani, Jheenga, Biryani or Moti biryani pairing them with Keema Kaleji, Mahi Kaliya or Irani Jheenga Masala. Conclude your lunch with a sweet note with Shahi Tukda. Pocket Pinch (Approx): Rs 1000 + taxes for two

Alfresco

The Poila Boishakh special menu at Alfresco is a celebration of culinary delights from East and West of Bengal. Enjoy the traditional Bengali Epaar Bangla – Opaar Bangla Khabaar, buffet for Lunch and Dinner at Alfresco. Start your gastronomical trail with traditional welcome drinks (Aam pora sharbot/ beler sharbot) and soups like Bilaiti Begun Aar Tomator Rosa and Poda Rosun aar murgi shirua. In the main course veg delights include Echorer rizala, Jukti phool – Potol-jhinge- Doodh Shukto, Ledikeni Dalna, Gondhoraj Lebu Diye Kacha Monger Dal, etc. Lunch Buffet Rs 2250 (plus tax) Dinner Buffet @ INR 2050

Bongnese

Bongnese brings to you Gotokaler Ranna to welcome 1426 with delicacies that survive only in old cookbooks. The restaurant at Salt Lake brings a few old undivided Bengali as well as Bangladeshi recipes that have stood the test of time and kept the kitchen of our ancestors fresh and fragrant with its aromas. The fare includes Paanch Phoron Hinger Soup, Noksha Bori Bhaja, Aakhir Joler Niramish Pulao, Koraishutir Dhoka, Ghee Diye Murgir Roast, Lonka Pora Katla, Haribondho Mutton, Gokul Pithe And Mohonbhog to name a few. Also various prawn and illish dishes are available on a la carte basis. Rs.649 plus tax

Friday Release

Friday Release at Salt Lake brings Noboborsher bhuribhoj to celebrate Bengali New Year. Feast on sumptuous Bengali fare that includes Khancha Aamer Shorbet, Luchi, Begun Bhaja, Narkol cholar dal, Steam rice, Basanti pulao, Vegetable shukto, Potoler dorma, Chingri Malai Curry (2pcs), Katla Kalia (1pc), Chicken Dukbunglow (2pc), Chutney, Papad, Mishti doi, Raj bhog and much more. Time: noon to 4 pm Pocket pinch (for two): Rs 849 all inclusive

The Westin Kolkata, Rajarhat

As Chaitra is coming to an end, the ‘amej’ has already been set for yet another Bengali New Year. Make the moment special by indulging in delicacies from both Benglas - Epar Bangla and Opar Bangla. The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat brings to you live counters of street food that includes Jhal Muri, Tele Bhaja, Phuchka, Gondhoraj Chicken Pakoda, Lal Murgi, Prawn Kabiraji and more. Chef Debayan, in house chef at the property will be curating a lavish Bengali spread with some delectable offerings like Tel koi, Dub Chingri, Sorse Bhetki, Murgir Jol, Kosha Mangso, Kakra jhol, Haser Dimer Dalna, Echor bhapa, Mocha Ghonto Bora Diye Chorchori, Dakbunglow Mutton, Kochi Pathar Jhol and many more. Dates: 13th April 2019 – 15th April 2019 (Lunch & Dinner) Price: Rs1499 plus taxes. Details: 033 4037 1234

Yauatcha

Blending the Chinese offerings of Yauatcha fused with Bengal’s traditions and age old ingredients, Yauatcha Kolkata is all ready to celebrate Poila Baisakh. Try the vibrant Hibiscus chicken dumpling from an array of choices, inspired by the traditional flower that is considered auspicious. From the main dishes one can enjoy Steamed spicy bhetki with mango and mustard sauce, Yauatcha’s rendition of the very popular Sorshe Bhetki or the Wild shrimp fried rice with pickled olive. For vegetarians there is Spicy Hakka Noodles, a local favourite. An exclusive Bengali New Year cocktail has been curated for the celebration called Huanying Xiatian made with fresh mango, vodka, and Gondhoraj lime. A celebration is incomplete without a dessert, and the refreshing Gondhoraj sorbet has been curated especially for the festivities and is the perfect summer dessert. When: 8th April – 30th April, 2019 For Reservation Call: 09222222800

Metro Ice Cream Parlour 

Ice-cream lovers, Metro Ice Cream Parlour is your stop if you yearn for that irresistible scoop of ice-cream. Celebrating the Bengali New Year, Metro Ice Cream Parlour  introduces two new variants of ice-cream and one new milkshake, to keep you cool. Try the Mango Mishtimukh (Ice cream) or the Two-in-One Sandesh Duet (Ice cream). The Aamsotto Sandesh Milkshake is worth every sip. Pocket Pinch: Rs. 120+GST

-- 

Regards

Farah Khatoon