Kolkata’s star hotels are gearing up to present an extravagant feast during Pujo. As expected, Bengali food rules the roost and elaborate lunch and dinner buffet spreads are planned everywhere. This year, the concentration is on providing a more personal touch to a buffet and thankfully for us, the prices have also been kept quite reasonable. If you’ve still not planned where to eat , this Durga Pujo 2017 food guide should be of help.
Durga Pujo 2017 – A Food Guide To Eating At Kolkata’s Star Hotels
The Oberoi Grand
While The Oberoi Grand lays out a fantasmagoric buffet each year, what is noteworthy, is that the quality remains consistently at the top. The Kosha Mangsho continues to be made of lamb, the sourcing of each ingredient is matchless and the end-result quite singularly the best.
This year’s Grand Pujor Mahabhoj is arranged at Gharana and the focus is not just on providing good food (and a lot of it) in the buffet but on making it a memorable experience for guests. Priced at Rs 2000 plus taxes, the feast includes nearly 50-60 types of vegetarian and non-vegetarian Bengali dishes starting from ‘bhajas’ to ‘radha ballabhi and alur dom’ to fish dishes, meat dishes, rice and nearly 15 types of sweets made in-house. The buffet does not include Hilsa but if you want, it is available as an additional a la carte option at a cost of Rs 300 plus taxes per piece.
Availability – Saptami to Dashami
Taj Bengal
At Sonargaon, you can savour a Bengali thali for lunch and dinner. The large platter is served with portions of different dishes like Narkel Diye Cholar Dal (Bengal gram tempered with Cumin, Coconut shavings and Ginger), Sonargaon Chingri Malai Curry (Fresh river prawns cooked in coconut cream), Sorse Bata Iilish (Fresh River Hilsa cooked in a mustard gravy), Pabnar Murgi (Succulent chicken morsels cooked in onion based gravy with a hint of Radhuni seeds), Doodh Rossogolla (Poached sweet dumplings of cottage cheese soaked in milk flavoured with cardamom) and many more. The Chingri and Hilsa thali is priced at Rs 2900 plus taxes, Aamish thali is for Rs 2500 plus taxes and the Niramish thali is for Rs 2200 plus taxes.
Souk presents a lavish Middle Eastern buffet spread during Durga Pujo with starters, seafood, grills, main course preparations, rice, pitas and desserts. The menu includes interesting food items like Hummus Beiruty (Chickpea puree with tahina, onions, and tomatoes. Flat parsley), Moussaka (Traditional vegetarian Greek specialty),Rubian Meshwi (Char grilled prawn marinated in traditional Lebanese spices), Lahm Bamia (Egyptian lamb and okra stew flavored with loomi), Dijaj Koftesi (Mince of chicken kofta cooked in tangy tomato sauce), Haluwet Jazar (Carrot cooked in Arabic ghee), Omali (Baked fillo with condensed milk) and many more. A grand festive buffet will be arranged for dinner on Ashtami and lunch on Dashami to celebrate the festivities with sparkling wine, vodka cocktails and beer. The spread is priced at Rs 2150 plus taxes.
Availability – Saptami to Dashami
ITC Sonar
ITC Sonar is gearing up for a Maha Bhoj across all their restaurants. If you want to have authentic Bengali delicacies, Eden Pavilion is the place to go to. The elaborate lunch and dinner buffets are priced at Rs 2000 and Rs 2100 plus taxes. At West View Bar & Grill, experience a range of exclusive European dishes prepared on the interactive Lava Stone Grill with a wide selection of succulent meats, vegetables and tapas. The 3 course lunch menu is priced at Rs 1999 plus taxes and dinner is a la carte. Dum Pukht is offering a special set lunch menu with traditional favorites priced at Rs 2750 plus taxes. At Peshawri, you can experience the robust flavours of North West Frontier. Here, lunch and dinner is a la carte. If you want to savour the cuisine of Japan, China, Mongolia, Korea and Thailand, Pan Asian is where you should go. The special set lunch menu with dishes like Takrai, Tom Yum Kung (soup), Kung Kratium, Fish Krapao, Chicken Gung Bao, Burnt Ginger Garlic Fried Rice etc make for a stupendous meal.
Availability – Saptami to Dashami
Hyatt Regency Kolkata
Hyatt Regency Kolkata is bringing a special spread celebrating the festive flavours. One can choose from a variety of delicacies featuring the much loved khichudi, luchhi, kosha mangsho, mishit doi and much more.
At Waterside Café, Paanch Diner Pujo celebration includes options like an elaborate high tea menu, a sumptuous lunch/dinner and even a midnight spread.
Availability – Shashti to Dashami
Lunch: 12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM | INR 2,199 Plus Taxes
Hi-Tea: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM | INR 899 Plus Taxes
Dinner: 7:00 PM to 12:00 Midnight | INR 2,199 Plus Taxes
Mid-Night: 12:00 Midnight to 3:00 AM | INR 1,199 Plus Taxes
JW Marriott Kolkata
JW Kitchen is coming up with a splendid spread from Sashti to Navami priced at Rs 1614 plus taxes. The interactive kitchens and stations will be serving an expansive selection featuring Bengali favorites and Kolkata Street food, alongside the usual Oriental and continental spread. Few of the delicacies on offer are ‘Dimer Devil’, ‘Gondhoraj Fish Tikka’, ‘Kumro Phool Bora’ and ‘Bok Phool Bhaja’ in appetizers. In the mains, items like ‘Kosha Murgi’ and ‘Mutton Dakbungalow’, ‘Phool Kopir Kaalia’ and ‘Rosogulla’r Dalna’.
JW Marriott is also introducing a specially curated Midnight Buffet priced at Rs 999, all inclusive. They will be serving an elaborate selection of Indian, Continental and Asian favorites like ‘Mutton Biryani’ and a variety of other mains like ‘Dal Makhni’, ‘Stir Fry Asian Greens’, ‘Murgh Tariwala’ and ‘Paneer Do Pyaaza’.
Novotel Kolkata
At Novotel Kolkata, Durga Puja celebrations started on the 24th. Sante the bar is now open 24 hrs and therefore a great place to hit after a hectic morning/evening/night of pandal hopping. And the good news is that Happy Hours are on 24 hours as well. With drinks, snacks like Dimer Devil, Fish Fingers, Kathi Roll, Jhal Muri, Mangsher Chop and many more are available. A festive buffet spread is planned at The Square including favourite Bengali dishes like Topshe fry, Kosha Mangsho, Fish Paturi etc and a selection of oriental and continental dishes along with an array of specialty desserts.
Studio has planned for a specially curated premium Rajbari vegetarian and non-vegetarian thali. The thali includes dishes like Ilish Paturi, Chingri Malai Curry, Goalondo Mangsher Curry, Chhanar kalia and a home-made mishti platter. The non-veg thali is priced at Rs 1600 plus taxes.
The Gateway Hotel
Buzz at The Gateway Hotel is offering a selection of food from across the globe. The buffet includes Purbo and Paschim Bangla exotics, Western cuisine and local favourites. The selection ranges from seafood platter on ice, crunchy salads, local cuisine such as Chingri Malai Curry, Bele Maacher Sukhto, Aar-er Tel Jhal, Doi Sorshe Rosogolla, Dhakai Sorshe Ilish, Aloo Chingri Bati Chorchori, Safed Mutton, Lagaan Ki Chaamp Murgir Roast Dhakai Style, Masala Begun, Enchorer Dum Pista etc. Desserts include Cheesecake, Cup cake, home-made pastries and mishti like Chandrapuli, Kheer Pista Gujia, Kiwi/ Strawberry/ Aam Sandesh etc. The buffet will also include a grill counter of Baby Octopus/ Baby Pomfret/ Prawns/ Squid and a Live Thai/ Wok Station.
Availability – Saptami (dinner buffet) to Dashami (lunch buffet). Both lunch and dinner buffet on Ashtami and Navami
Price – Rs 1749 plus taxes
The Astor Hotel
Bangalir Rannaghar at Kebab-e-Que includes dishes from all parts of the state. Highlights of the menu are Chingri Malai Curry, Murshidabadi Matir Harir Kosha Mangsho, Pomfret Aam Ada Sorshe, Nababi Mangsher Tikkia, Piyaj Morich Morola Macher Chochori, Dhakai Murgir Roast, Eechorer Kalia, Mochar Ghonto, Chanar Kofta Curry and Brownie Kheer Sandesh.
Availability – Saptami to Dashami
Time: Lunch: 12:30 pm-4 pm| Dinner: 7:30 pm-12:00 midnight
Price: INR 1098 plus taxes
Raichak on Ganges
Raichak on Ganges is not behind in the Pujo celebrations. A Maha Bhoj is planned for Saptami to Ekadashi at Royal Pavilion. The dinner buffet is priced at Rs 999 plus taxes and includes soup, salads, starters, main course, rice & staples and desserts.
Where are you planning to go this Pujo? Do share in the comments below.
Pic Courtesy – Taj Bengal, JW Marriott, Raichak on Ganges, The Gateway Hotel, The Astor Hotel