A pub where the food menu is curated by Ranveer Brar and the drinks menu is curated by Shatbhi Basu is bound to be good right? It is just not good but brilliant! I am talking about Afra Tafri, Kolkata’s largest Gastro Brew Pub that is slated to open its doors on the 18th of March. Located diagonally opposite British Council Library at Camac Street, Afra Tafri is a grand 12000 sq ft outlet. It is divided into three sections — the main seating area that houses the bar, a large room that can transform into a PDR and an open smoking room. True to its name, the decor is quirky, chaotic and a lot of fun.
I was invited to a pre-launch event where Shatbhi Basu was present to give us a taste of the exquisite cocktails that she has created for Afra Tafri. I loved the refreshing Watermelon Mojito with watermelon juice, watermelon chunks and white rum. Island Affair is a cocktail that will remind you of your beach holidays. It has white rum, lychee juice, blue curacao and Old Monk. My favorite was ‘Gondogol‘ or thandai spiked with whiskey. This drink was a super hit with the bloggers and I am surely having one everytime I visit Afra Tafri. It is that good! If you love Red Bull, you will love the Jager Atom. This Red Bull and Jager-meister drink comes with glowing jager spheres that pops in your mouth. The drink is very cool to look at.
Chef, TV show host, judge and food stylist Ranveer Brar has curated a very interesting fusion food menu with quirky names. I loved Akkad Bakkad Kukkad, available in two variants – malai tandoori chicken or red tandoori chicken tikka. The chicken is marinated with hung curd and cheese for 12 hours and served with chopped salad and mint chutney. Other favorites were Desi Swag Nachos or nachos with khurchan paneer keema, masala cheese sauce and tomato chutney salsa, Tangra mein Bhangra, an ode to the Tangra style chilli chicken, Mangalorean Chilly Chicken with Bajra Rotis, Kaali Dal, Chicken Biryani which comes in a colorful tiffin box and the Mezze Ke Maze Platter with falafel, pickled vegetables, green peas and jalapeño hummus. For dessert, I loved the Big Bong Tiramisu with chocolate kanchagolla and baked date jaggery crumble and the Firangi Firni Cake with tender coconut ice cream.
Afra Tafri is a great addition to the Kolkata food scene. It can be a place to enjoy with your family during the day and a great place to drink and party at night. The microbrewery is not functional yet but it will be very soon and we can expect a range of craft and flavored beers.
The doors open on the 18th so get ready to indulge in the madness that is Afra Tafri!
What: Afra Tafri
Where: 9 Camac Street, Level 1, opposite British Council Library
When: Opens March 18, noon to midnight
Pocket pinch: Rs 1,000 (without alcohol) for two