By Pamela Nandi | Oct 05, 2019

With the festive fever at its peak and Kolkata truly coming alive during this grand festival, starting from street food to bhog, the city boasts to indulge in the food scenes of Old Bengal to celebrate the special days.

SHARING MY PUJO FAVOURITES IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER –

FESTIVE INDULGENCE at Alfresco, The Lalit Great Eastern Kolkata

1-3, Old Court House Street, Dalhousie Square, Esplanade, Kolkata

When: 04-Oct  – 07-Oct Lunch Buffet – 1pm to 4pm, Dinner Buffet – 7:30pm to 11:30pm & Midnight Buffer –  12:30 am to 3am.

On the menu: Starting with welcome drinks like Mawa aur chironji ka shake, Pora anarse shorbot, starters have Amada aar phool kopir chop, Laal saag aar kumoro chop, Kaccha lonka dhone pata bata mutton er bora, Gondhoraj maccher chop, Soup: Chicken mustakim soup, Quinoa and vegetable soup. Separate Salad bars would be for veg & non veg items: Kalo channa  aar  tomato narkol salad,  Pora  mangsho  ar  kacha  aam  diya salad, bhaja  mach r maushumi salad, Kochi  pathar  mangsho  ar piyaj salad. Mains will have : Kathal  beez aar Chingri jhaal, Kala bhuna Chittagong, Aasto roshun diye murgir mangsho, Murshidabadi murgh biryani, Kowloon chicken,Bori baigun diye papdar jhal, Kakda goal mirch malai curry, Mejbani mangso, Bogra nawab barir mete kheemar chorchori pulao. Vegetarian : Sweet potato gnudi, lemony cavolo nero, crispy spinach and parmesan, Mahura, Taaler chenaar kofta, Spinach and ricotta gnocchi, topped with pearl onion and spring vegetable , Besara , Thorer ghanto. Staples will have : Misti pulao, Hinger kachuri, Kaccha monger dal, aam ada.

Price: Lunch @ 2050++ INR, Dinner @ 2150++ INR, Midnight buffet 999++ INR

Durga Puja Thali at Bhoomi (Bengali cuisine restaurant, Vedic Village Spa Resort)

When: 4-Oct to 08-Oct, Lunch – 12pm to 3pm. Dinner – 7pm to 11pm

On the menu:   Every thali consists of Ghugni |Nimki | Dhoyepata Bata | Paka tetul Chutney, Loitta Mach-er Chop, Doi Gandhoraj-er Ghol | Pora Anaras-er Shorbot, Aloo Jhuri Bhaja | Begun Bhaja | Kumri | Ole Makha

Starting from Sheuli Sukto, Narkel Diye Cholar Dal, Murshidabader Murgi, Bhoomir Kosha mangsho, dhakai chingrir malaikary, Aam ada bhapa bhetki, Morich bata pabda. Desserts like Jhinuk Pither Poromanno –Mishti doi, Kheer-er singara- Narkel Tokti and many more delicacies to make pujo more special.

Meal for One would cost 1299 INR all inclusive for veg thali and 1499 INR all inclusive for non-veg thali.

Ekdalia Road

4/2 Ekdalia Road, Ballygunge, Kolkata

TOP PICKS: Chicken Tampura, Mutton Cheese Ball, Fish in Carrot Corriander Sauce, Mutton in Teriyaki Sauce, Mutton Croquette, Mutton Gulash, Fish in Lemon Butter Sauce, Fish in Chimichuri Sauce, Red Rice Pudding, Chicken in Mushroom Cream Sauce.

Ekdalia RD Exxpress

1-B South End Garden, Opposite Sabuj Dal Club Garia, Kolkata

Encode

8th Floor, Fort Knox, 6, Camac Street, Kolkata- 700017.

Puja Special Platter: Fata Fati Amish Kebab Platter, Fata Fati Niramish Kebab, Tangra Style Chinese Platter, Tangra Style Non-Veg Platter, Amar Priyo Thali.

Five Mad Men

1st Floor Omega Building Of Bengal Intelligence Park, Plot A2, M2 &N2, Block EP & GP, Salt Lake Electronic Complex, Sector 5, Salt Lake, Kolkata

TOP PICKS – Mocktails, Garlic soup in Bread Bowl, Bhut Jhalokiya Chicken Wings, Roasted Chilli Pork, Crispy Schezwan Lamb, Mochar Chop, Laal Mas.

Haka Express- Jodhpur Park

Ground Floor, Premises 1/504, Gariahat Road South, Jodhpur Park, Kolkata

When: 12 noon to 12 night

TOP PICKS – Green Chili Chicken, Singapore Chili Prawn, Lamb Hot Garlic, Bhetki Pepper Garlic,& more

Meal for 2 ( Excluding GST): 750 INR (NO BUFFET)

Special Combo Meal : Chicken @ Rs, 219+ Tax, Prawn – 269+ Tax with Starter, Mains, Rice/ Noodles & Desserts.

Hanglaatherium

188/3/1A, Prince Anwar Shah Road, Lake Gardens, Prince Anwar Shah Road, Kolkata

NSC Bose Road, Near Kamalgazi Crossing, Garia, Kolkata

Pujo special : Bengali Pulao, 3 pc mutton hanglaabari salad 295 INR ( ALL INCLUSIVE )

Pasanda combo: Chicken/Mutton biryani with chicken pasanda and cold drink 285 INR ( ALL INCLUSIVE )

Waterside Cafe presents Bongo Bhojan- The Grand Puja Buffet at Hyatt Regency Kolkata

JA 1, Sector 3, Salt Lake, Kolkata

When: 4-Oct to 8-Oct October Lunch – 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM, Dinner – 7:00 PM to 12:00, Midnight – 01:00 AM to 03:00 AM

TOP PICKS: The theme of festivity is to bring in the essence of Kolkata at Waterside Café, the extensive buffet will comprise of 101 offerings from elaborate salads station, to an array of Sweets – Mistanna Bhandar. Fish Kabiraji, Mangsher chop, Murgir fuluri, Chicken roll, Egg roll Paneer roll , Bati chingri , Dhaki Elish, Chital macher muthia, Kancha lonkar murgir jhool, Murgi gota moshla, Sorshe pabda, Lonka bata diye Kochi pathar jhaal.

Jungle Safari

164/1, Mani Square Mall, Maniktala Main Road, EM Bypass, Kankurgachi, Kolkata

When: Lunch & Dinner – 12pm to 12 midnight

Signature Items in A-la Carte: Tandoori Pomfret, Raan-e-Safari, Kakori Kabab & more. Meal for 2: 1040 INR ( Excluding GST)

Signature Items in Buffet: Chicken Tikka, 5 Spiced Prawn Kebab, Biryani, Chicken Kasha, Mutton Curry , Gulab Jamun, Ice Cream & More. 975 INR ( Excluding GST)

Macazzo

64, Southern Avenue, Near Menoka Cinema Hall, Kolkata

TOP PICKS – 1. Tokyo pizza with Teriyaki grilled pork, onions and bell peppers. Teriyaki is a Japanese sauce made with dark soy, light soy, mirin, brown sugar, ginger and garlic. Originated in the 17th century, teriyaki is actually a style of cooking where taki means ‘grilled’. The teriyaki sauce on the other hand was fashioned by early Japanese immigrants of Hawaii by mixing soy sauce with pineapple juice.
2. Chicken wings tossed in sweet chili sauce. Southern American style deep-fried chicken wings are coated with a house variation of the Thai sweet chilli sauce. Nam Chim Kai (Thai name of the sauce) literally means ‘dipping sauce for chicken’ and is said to have originated in Si Racha town of Thailand.
3. BBQ pork chop with veggies and mashed potatoes. BBQ is synonymous to Southern America and each region has its own variations. Our BBQ chop is cooked in a low and slow method to render the meat soft enough. The BBQ sauce is Central Virginia inspired with the flavours tilting towards sweet and smokey. The sauce can also be applied to chicken wings, roast pork, pork ribs and pork steak.
4. Thai green fried rice. Thai green fried fried rice or ‘Khao Pad Gang Keow Wan’ is a fried rice with Thai green curry paste. The Thai green curry paste is a versatile paste with applications way beyond making curries. It can be applied to tossed noodles, grilled meats and of course, fried rice. The rice has wonderfully fresh aromas of lemongrass, cilantro and basil with the underlying heat of green chillies.

Mainland China (South City Mall)

Shop 330, 375, 3rd Floor, South City Mall, Prince Anwar Shah Road, Kolkata

When: Lunch – 12pm to 4pm. Dinner – 7pm to 12 midnight

Signature Items in A-la-Carte – Bhetki Pepper Garlic, Lobster Hunan, Roasted Duck in Chili Plum, Double Cooked Lamb. Meal for 2: 1700 INR ( Excluding GST)

Signature Items in Buffet – (LUNCH & DINNER): Seafood Wonton, Prawn Hunan, Chili Chickhen, Lamb Mahlak, General Tao’s Chicken, Prawn Hot Garlic, Fish Chinese Parsley, Cheese Cake, Darsaan, pastry & more 1135 INR ( Excluding GST)

‘Chayna Ochayna’ – Durga Puja Specials at MONKEY BAR KOLKATA

#901 A, Fort Knox, 6, Camac Street, Kolkata- 700017.

When: 27-Sep to 11-Oct, Lunch and Dinner (ALL DAY)

Relish the legendary food scenes of Old Bengal tagged as ‘Chayna Ochayna’ spiced up with some great twists to celebrate the special days of the grand festival that boasts a master food trail curated by Iti Misra – a home-chef and culinary consultant. She has revealed her love for ‘Chayna Ochayna’ rooted in the old with the excitement of the new by creating a great blend of gastronomy inspired by her travels in India and abroad that hail from different cultures spiked up with nostalgia dishing up with fascinating history of Myanmar, touching the roots of British colonial kitchen, Bangkok bites, enticing treats of Lucknow, taste of La Dolce Vita.

TOP PICKS – TeleBhaja Platter, Tepa Kachori, Bhetki Bhatey Paturi, Jaali Prawns, Mini Pantheras, Rosogolla Chaat, Mangshor Jhuri Bhaja, Nolen Gur Panna Cotta.

Oh Calcutta Forum

Forum Mall, 10/3, 4th Floor, Elgin Road, Elgin, Kolkata

When: Lunch – 12pm to 4pm. Dinner – 7pm to 12 midnight

Signature Items in A-la-Carte – Chitol Muithya, Kakra Aaam Kashundi, Aar Machher Tel Jhaal, Lobster Malaicurry. Meal for 2: 1700 INR ( Excluding GST)

Signature Items in Buffet – (LUNCH & DINNER): Fish Fry, Chingri Malaicurry, Pabda Tomato Jhaal, Mutton Rezala, Biryani, Misti Doi 1166 INR ( Excluding GST)

A Festive Feast – Pujor Mahabhoj at Seasonal Tastes, The Westin Rajarhat Kolkata

International Financial Hub, New Town, Kolkata

When: 03-Oct to 08-Oct, Brunch 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM, Grand Dinner 7 PM to 1 AM

On the menu: Kebab Station | Live Grill and Seafood Station | Luchi and Kosha Mangsho Station | Tangra Chinese Station | Bengali Mishti & Wstern Desserts Station.

Price: 1599 INR onwards

Spicery by Sigree – Acropolis

Shop 1858/1, 4th Floor, Acropolis Mall, Rajdanga Main Road, Kasba, Kolkata

When: 12 PM to 12 night

Signature Items in A-la-Carte – Parsi Fried Chicken, Tandoori Pomfret, Nalli Roganjosh, Nimbu Dhania Machhli, Prawn Cutlet & more. Meal for 2: 1400 INR ( Excluding GST)

Signature Items in Buffet (LUNCH ONLY): Amritsari Fish, Tandoori Chicken, Mutton Biryani, Prawn Masala, Keema Masala, Chicken Korma, Brownie, Gulab Jamun & more. 795 INR ( Excluding GST)

Surfire – The Coastal Cafe

24, Rajani Sen Road, Near Mudiali Club & Menoka Cinema, Southern Avenue, Kolkata

When: 04-Oct to 08-Oct 9 am ONWARDS (LUNCH & DINNER)

SPECIAL NOTE: The cafe is located very near to Mudiali Puja Pandal, so come and refresh yourself after Pushpanjali. After 6 pm the entry will be only from the Shibmandir side, please do check the guards at the barricade to get in.

Swissôtel Kolkata Neotia Vista celebrates ‘Puja Feast Fit for the Gods’

11/5, Rajarhat New Town, Kolkata, Chinar Park, Kolkata

When: 05-Oct to 08-Oct (Lunch & Dinner) Buffet spread at CAFE SWISS and extravaganza Veg and Non-Veg Thali at Swissotel, Maaya.

And the countdown has begun just not about hopping from one pandal to another, but to give your taste buds an open treat. Executive Chef – Ashis Rout and Chef Soumyadip Ganguly of Swissôtel Kolkata showcases ‘Puja Feast Fit for the Gods’ – the gastronomic tradition of Bengal embellished with multihued flavours in the

The Blue Poppy – Thakali

Sikkim Commercial House, 1st Floor, 4/1 Middleton Street, Camac Street Area, Kolkata

TOP PICKS – Open Pork Momo, Sungur ko masu with Rai saag, Sungur Ko Khutta ko achar, Pork ribs, Nepali Roti, Spicy Pork Choila, Mutton Curry, Aloo Dum.

‘Pandals of Chinatown’ – Durga Puja Specials at The Fatty Bao

#801, Fort Knox,6,Camac Street, Kolkata- 700017

When: 27-Sep to 11-Oct, Lunch and Dinner (ALL DAY)

To taste the flavours & experience the regional food style and culture of bustling Old Chinatown and its neighbourhood, The Fatty Bao Kolkata offers festive mood for its gastronomers with a diverse Asian culinary landscape – ‘Pandals of Chinatown’, Durga Pujo All-Day Specials Menu curated by Executive Chef Prashanth and Head Chef Sumit Choudhary that touches the golden passes of Chinatown gates globally gorging with its glorious food inspired by the locals or globals.

TOP PICKS – Crispy Chilli Chicken with Chilli & Garlic Crumble, Moo Shu (Stir-Fried) Chicken, Fish Puff, Chairman Mao’s Pork Belly, Whole Baby Pomfret, Chinese Sausage and Bacon Fried Rice, Chinese Egg Custard Tarts

Durga Puja Bhuri Bhoj at Vden – Vedic Village Spa Resort

When: 05-Oct to 07-Oct, ONLY Lunch- 12:30pm to 3:30pm

On the menu:   Fish in Oyster sauce, Dum Ka murgh, Kolkata Mutton Biriyani, Sorse Chingri Jhal, Methi Gosht, Tangra style fish chilli and coriander, Baked Rasgulla, Assorted fresh fruit pastries, Chocolate pudding , Malpua with rabdi and a lot more. The most exciting part is we shall offer a different menu on each day of the pujas.

Meal for one would cost 1349 INR all inclusive

Cheers !!!