The year was 1997. Bimbi, my best friend was moving to London. When everything was finalized and there were just a few more days for her to bid farewell to the City of Joy, we were chatting in her room when she suddenly burst into tears. She was going alone to boarding school so I assumed the tears were for her parents and for everyone she was leaving behind. I was feeling sad as well so as a very good friend I was trying to console her by saying that the term would end very soon and she would be back home to visit. Her response was ” I know and I’m not crying because of that. Aami okhane giye roll ar phuchka khete parbo na. Ami ki miss korbo“. The tears were for the famous Kolkata roll and phuchka. If you know how good Kolkata street food is, I know you will totally understand why she was crying that day. In 1997, getting Kolkata street food in the UK was tough. In 2017, Raastawala has made it a whole lot easier.
Raastawala is the brainchild of Rinku Dutt and her husband Neelan who missed Kolkata’s street food so much in London that they started making the food themselves and then realized that something as good as phuchka, roll, chop, ghugni etc should be made available to the public. Raastawala can be found in festivals and pop-ups mainly. Since they started, they’ve done Lounge in the Farm, Pexmas and Munch Food in Peckham, Canterbury Food and Drink Festival, Whitstable Oyster Festival, Eat Drink Waltham Forest, Bite Street Food Festival and Harringay’s Chestnuts Market.
On Feb 15th, Raastawala joins hands with The Rock Lodge in Whitstable, a warm welcoming diner with hand made decor and a great ambience to serve a mix of street food and Bengali cuisine as a five course sit down meal! Taking inspiration and traditional classic recipes, Raastawala will use the freshest local produce to serve up the most delectable delights. Here is a glimpse of what will be on offer.
The concept of Indian Street food served on a table where people meet , make friends , break bread together and just simply create memorable experiences! Join Raastawala tomorrow at The Rock Lodge.
For more information on Raastawala and to know about their upcoming events, like their Facebook page.