We have moved

Even just a couple of years back 'Mughlai' to behaliites would mean going to Haji Saheb & having their biryani. Then in due course of time other Mughlai Moguls like Arsalan, Alibaba, Zeeshan, Azad Hind opened their outlets here. The latest addition to these growing number of eateries is Aminia. Located between pathakpara & ajanta, my first visit to this place wasn't satisfactory. When the management assured me of better service, paid them a visit last week for a short lunch before catching a movie at the nearby Ajanta multiplex.

I remember during my early days as a zomato user I would just visit their site to find about the pocket pinch of any restaurant was going to visit. Writing a review was a far fetched idea. However one day saw a Facebook post of a friend with amazing pictures of colourful cakes pastries and shakes. Also the ambience looked like a cafe in Paris. Intrigued I checked the tagged location and came to know about this cute little place called Paris cafe which was taking the town by storm with their food and ambience. However the plans to visit never quite worked out. Unfortunate me.

However I literally jumped with joy when came to know that they have opened their new outlet at alipore, quite near to my home. Classic example of 'If the prophet can't come to the mountain, the mountain has to come to the prophet's :P. This time there no excuse. The best part was even before I planned to pay them a visit, the owner, Sneha Singhi invited PanchPhoron for a food tasting event at the newly opened outlet.

Recently when the food bloggers of the city met for a adda session at The Palazzo, Alipore, we were presented with a paper box marked 'Kaos - Gourmet'. To say the truth , hadn't heard the name before that. But the cute packaging promised us of some sort of surprise. On opening it found a selection of hand made cookies.

What comes to your mind when you hear the term palazzo? The uber comfortable yet sazzy & chik pair of trousers maybe? Or if you are a bit passionate about hotels & exotic locales, it may remind you of 'The Palazzo casino & Hotel' of Las Vegas which has won the AAA awards for consecutive five years after it opened in 2009.

Now obviously as a foodie I am not going to talk about the above two, at least not when I'm being nearly grilled to death in the sweltering heat of Kolkata.

The Kolkata-based ‘The Biryani Company’ claims to be a new age, health-conscious food delivery chain providing Healthy, Tasty and Affordable freshly cooked biryani! PanchPhoron was recently invited over for a food tasting session at 'Biryani Bistro', their fine dining restaurant in Mudiali. whether or not can David take on the Goliaths of the Biryani makers to the likes of Arsalan/Aminia/India/Alia remained to be found out.

Noboborsho special Lunch @ Lokaahar

Lately a number of Bengali styled eateries have opened up in the city of joy. Some have opened up subsidiary branches, some ventured out into caterings, while some have opted to remain stand-alone outlets serving the food under a single roof. Lokaahar belongs to the last category. Located inside the quiet if not quaint neighborhood of Jodhpur park, Lokaahar has been dishing out delectable dishes of Bengali cuisines for the last year or so. The consistency in the quality is what has brought this restaurant a name in the foodie map of Kolkata.

THE FERN RESIDENCY Hotel brings special Menu

for “Bengali Food Festival” on Poila Baisakh

The Fern Residency, Kolkata is one of India's leading environmentally sensitive hotel chain recently inaugurated at Rajarhat. It is a Mid-scale business hotel in the state of West Bengal. Recently they did a preview of upcoming special Menu for the auspicious occasion of Poila Baisakh to add a charm to the celebration of Bengali New Year with its first ‘Bengali Food Festival’ this time in the City of Joy,

They have lined up a delectable array of Bengali delicacies and taste tickling dessert to make the Bengali New Year a memorable Poila Baisakh. Age old delicacies from the kitchens of the villages of Bengal will be showcased during this 3-day long Bengali Food Festival.The feast, open For Both Lunch And Dinner this year on April 14th - 16th will bring alive the culture and flavor of Bengal with a wide array of special Bengali menu available at ‘XII Zodiac’,Kolkata's first sun sign based multi-cuisine restaurant where also food is served according to one’s Zodiac sign being its exclusivity.
The Chef at The Fern Residency shared his thoughts, “Bengalis are passionate about their traditional cuisine. They spare no labour in the kitchen to ensure the dishes are relished by one and all. So here we are, ready with almost every dish that a Bengali loves. The food festival has been designed to provide our guests the authentic flavour of Bengali kitchen. We are certain that our guests will really enjoy the spread.”
Special features of the menu include : “Kumro Fuler Bora”, “Bok Fuler Bora”, “Murshidabadi Murgi”, “Begun Pora”, “Macher Matha Diye Jhuro”, “Dhakaiya Murgir Kebab”, “Pabda Mach Bhaja”, “Eachor Chingri”, “Dinaj Purer Kosha Mangso”, “Macher Matha Diye Muri Ghanto”, “Basanti Pulao”, and many more.

The Poila Boishak Buffet costs Rs. 899 + Taxes per person.

Make this POILA BAISHAKH truly special, with the choicest delicacies of Bengal @ The Fern Residency Hotel, Kolkata.

14TH APRIL’ 2016 - LUNCH AND DINNER MENU:

· WELCOME DRINKS - Aam Pora Sharbat, Gandhoraj Er Ghol

· STARTERS - Kumro Fuler Bora, Begun Bhaja, Murshidabadi Murgi, Macher Dim Er Bora, Served With Jhuri Aloo Bhaja & Kasundi

· SALADS & ACCOMPANIMENT - Swadesi Salad, Bhutta Ar Anarash Makha, Desi Murgir Chaat, Aam Kasundi Chaat, Kancha Lanka & Gandhoraaj Lebu1, Kacha Amer Chutney, Tatul Er Chutney, Anarash Er Chutney, Tomato Er Chutney, Papad Bhaja, Tatka Begun Pora

· MAACH –O- MANGSHO - Macher Matha Diye Jhura (A Typical Bengali Preparation Of Fish Pulao Cooked With Fish Head (Rohu Or Katla) And Puffed Rice), Raj Barir Kosha Mangsho, Doi Murgi, Chingri Malai Curry, Rui Kalia

· SUBJIR BAHAR - Hingh Aloo Dum,Potoler Dorma, Daler Bodi Diya Shukto, Dhokar Dalna, Bhaja Moonger Dal, Basanti Pulao, Radha Ballabi

· MISTI MUKH - Komola Bhog, Misti Doi, Mango Mousse, Gulab Patti, Misti Paan

15TH & 16TH APRIL’ 2016 - LUNCH AND DINNER MENU:

· WELCOME DRINKS - Mirpuri Badami Sarbat, Bhaja Moslar Ghol

· STARTERS - Bok Ful Bhaja, Narkoler Boda, Dhakaiya Murgi Kabab, Topse Fry , Served With Jhuri Aloo Bhaja & Tetuler Chutney

· SALADS & ACCOMPANIMENT - Swadesi Salad, Bhutta Ar Anarash Makha, Murgir Chaat, Aam Kasundi Chaat, Kancha Lanka & Gandhoraaj Lebu, Kacha Amer Chutney, Tatel Er Chutney, Anarash Er Chutney, Tomato Er Chutney, Tatka Begun Pora (Brinjal Cooked In The Clay Oven Finish With Mustered Oil , Green Chillies And Onion), Papad Bhaja

· MAACH –O- MANGSHO - Macher Matha Diya Muri Ghanta (A Typical Bengali Preparation Of Fish Pulao Cooked With Fish Head (Rohu Or Katla) And Rice), Parshe Macher Jhal (Parshe Macher Jhal Is Dry Spicy Curry Made With Parshe Fish. This Is A Typical Fish To Celebrate Bengali New Year), Eachor Chingri (Enchor Chicngri Is A Green Jack-Fruit Cooked With Prawn In A Spicy Gravy, Goes Well With Steamed Rice), Dinaj Purer Kosha Mangsha (Kosha Mangsho, A Flavourful Bengali Mutton Dish), Rajbanshi Murgi (Murgir Jhol Is Liberally Seasoned With Turmeric, Garlic, Onions, And Grated Ginger. Potatoes Are Added To The Stew As A Thickening Agent)

· SUBJIR BAHAR - Sojne Datar Chorchor (Sojne Data Chorchori. Coming To Today’s Recipe Post, This Bengali Style Simple Drumstick Chorchori), Chanar Dalna, Aloo Posto, Bori Diye Lau Ghonto (Bottle Gourd Cooked With Moong Dal Dumpling), Bhaja Moonger Dal, Ghee Bhat, Korai Shutir Kachuri

· DESSERTS – Rajbhog, Kheer Kadam, Lichi Mousse, Sitabhog, Misti Paan

Bangkok Street Food Festival @ Benjarong, South City Mall, Kolkata

Ilish tumi kar? Kolaghat-er na Padmar?
In my opinion this is the single most quintessential question that has plagued Bengalis, Bangladeshis & Bongs alike for decades if not generations.However more often than not the Ilish from Opar Bangla has emerged victorious in this fishy business.