Sonar Ilish – Hilsa Festival at Sonar Tori

August 27, 2018

A wise man once said “If Bengali cuisine were Wimbledon, the hilsa would always play on Centre Court.” And he could not have been more accurate in describing what this fish means to Bengalis and Bengali cuisine. Every year, during Hilsa season, the city is swamped with Hilsa festivals that take place in practically every hotel and restaurant serving Bengali food. This year, I could go to only one of them – Sonar Ilish at the newest Bengali restaurant in Salt Lake, Sonar Tori. The place was on my wishlist for a long time and this festival seemed the apt time to pay a visit.

Sonar Ilish Festival

Sonar Ilish Festival at Sonar Tori

The menu is the brainchild of Bhaskar Dasgupta, Executive Chef of Sonar Tori and the name Sonar Ilish celebrates the irresistible combination of Hilsa and Shorshe (Mustard paste), which is used in most of the dishes in the menu. The festival is on till 2nd September and what is special about it is the availability of a variety of both East Bengal and West Bengal Hilsa dishes. There is an option to choose from either of two platters or à la carte. The platters are priced at Rs 1100++ and the à la carte dishes range from Rs 200 – Rs 750++.

Sonar Ilish Festival

When it comes to Hilsa, it is very difficult to choose a favorite but there is one dish that I have loved forever and that is Doi Ilish or Hilsa with yoghurt. When I saw that in the menu, I could not resist myself and placed an order for it and what came in front of me was perfection. A soft, perfectly cooked piece of fish in a yoghurt sauce that balanced the flavour of the Hilsa without overpowering it.

I also wanted to try something unique hence went for Laupata Ilish O Aamtel Bhaate which is Hilsa wrapped in bottle gourd leaves and steamed with mango pickle. The dish is served with rice and the pickled oil and with the fish, makes for a deadly combination. If you don’t mind your fish to be slightly tangy, definitely order this one.

Laupata Ilish O Aamtel Bhaate

As with its regular menu, the Sonar Ilish festival aims at reliving the culinary pleasures of old Bengal. You have time till 2nd September to go and romance the fish that is nothing less than a cultural icon to people of two countries.

Sonar Tori Ilish Platter

Sonar Ilish Festival Details

: Sonar Ilish Festival menu

What: Sonar Ilish at Sonar Tori
Where: Fourth floor, Block B, City Centre, Salt Lake
Timings: 12.30pm to 3.30pm, 7pm to 11pm

Pocket pinch: Rs 1100-plus for platters and Rs 200 – Rs 750-plus for à la carte (one piece of Hilsa per dish)

P.S – I was invited by the management to the restaurant. The pics with the watermarks are courtesy Ambuja Neotia.

The Salt House – An Impressive New Bistro In Kolkata

February 12, 2018

There is no dearth of restaurants opening in Kolkata. Every month sees the launch of at least five new restaurants/cafes/lounge bars etc but very few actually manage to impress with their food. The Salt House does. Opened just a few weeks back by Saloni Jhunjhunwalla & Prachi Saraogi, founders of Kaos Gourmet, this European-style restaurant with Chef Auroni Mookerjee heading the kitchen is already making waves in the city’s culinary circuit. And when I went there last week for a tasting session, I knew why.

The Salt House

Located on the 6th Floor of Shakespeare Point, the concept of The Salt House is very interesting and for Kolkata, probably a first. It is a bar (will be functional soon), kitchen and club and they serve European food with a classic yet contemporary twist, focusing on local and international ingredients. The place is divided into three sections – inside dining area, glass house and courtyard terrace area. The terrace area is my favourite and I am sure will be yours too if you visit the place. The owners have plans of bringing back the concept of Dinner and a Show to the city. Hopefully, we should be seeing stand-up performances and live gigs in the terrace area soon.

The Salt House

Coming to the food, Chef Auroni is extremely passionate about what he cooks with. The ingredients are authentic, the produce is mostly local and where needed, sourced from different countries as well. He is against the use of preservatives and wants to give his diners a very unique experience of European-style food with a Bengali twist. Think a Gobindo Bhog Risotto served with Pumpkin Flower & Ricotta Fritters or Galda Chingri cooked and executed like a Parisian Langoustine and served with Aoli or Pancakes and Waffles, served with not a side of Maple Syrup, but with Nolen Gur.

My Favourites At The Salt House

It is tough to name a few favourites because honestly, I loved everything that was served including the vegetarian dishes and that says a lot about the quality of the food. To make ordering easy for you, I’ll name my top six.

Fried Brussel Sprouts with Feta and Pomegranate Salad – This is a warm salad and can be a perfect start to a meal. The crunch of the brussel sprouts, the salty feta with the sweetness of the pomegranate makes for a very refreshing combination.

Fried Brussel Sprouts with Feta and Pomegranate Salad

Mutton Sliders – I love my burgers with a healthy portion of juicy meat without any dressing or sauce. These sliders are therefore perfect!

Mutton Sliders

Fluffy Omelette – Strange that I am recommending an omelette right? But you’ve got to try it. Believe me this was one of the fluffiest omelettes I’ve had in my life! It just melts in the mouth. Another omelette that is worth trying here is the Skinny Omelette, Chevre and Salad Wrap. This is basically veggies, pine nuts and chevre or goat cheese wrapped in an omelette and is great as a breakfast/brunch item.

Fluffy Omelette

Skinny Omelette

Mutton & Pork Ragu – This dish has mutton, pork and handmade silky, smooth pappardelle. Need any other reason not to love it?

Mutton & Pork Ragu

Pan Roasted Bhetki – This dish is a must for a fish lover. The taste and freshness of the bhetki comes through beautifully. And the interesting additions to the dish are Kolmi Saag, Spinach and Gondhoraaj Lemon.

Pan Roasted Bhetki

Doi, Berry and Kaos Granola Parfait – A dessert totally worthy of an Instagram post! Traditionally, a granola parfait is always thought of as a breakfast item but Salt House has made it as a dessert that can be enjoyed anytime of the day. Beaten Mishti doi, blueberry, strawberry, raspberry and granola topped with nolen gur make a very healthy and very tasty mix indeed. And try the Hazelnut Mousse, Salted Caramel & French Biscuit if you want something more sinful 🙂

Doi, Berry and Kaos Granola Parfait

Hazelnut Mousse

After my experience at The Salt House, I can safely say that the food there was one of the best I’ve had in many months in Kolkata. It is innovative, fresh, bursting with flavours and most importantly, delicious. I am hoping for a lot of exciting stuff from Chef Auroni and the team in the coming months and I hope they don’t disappoint.

Fast Facts:

Description: Bar, Kitchen & Club
Capacity: 170
Timing: 7 pm to Midnight till 9th February. Noon to Midnight, 10th February onwards.
Cuisine: Contemporary European cuisine
Address: Shakespeare Point, 40 Shakespeare Sarani, 6th floor, Kolkata – 700017
Pocket Pinch for Two: Rs 2000++ approx

What I Love About Serafina 2.0

February 4, 2018

Why Serafina 2.0? Because the city’s favourite Italian restaurant and the place where you get the best Tiramisu is back in a new avatar at Quest Mall. Serafina 2.0 has a new decor, new seating arrangement and a menu that includes some old favourites and new dishes that are sure to become favourites soon.

Paradiso

Serafina 2.0

The place looks completely different now and I must say I like this decor much more than the earlier one. A red brick facade, roman arches, earthy colours and an open-seating plan make up the new Serafina. It looks much more brighter, cheerful and welcoming. With the new seating, one can get a clear view of the semi-open kitchen and the oven that churns out the restaurant’s signature pizzas. The al fresco area now has a coffee zone and the bar has expanded to accommodate an open display of an extensive wine collection.

Coming to the food. Fret not, the menu has retained some of the old favourites like the truffle pizza, baby lamb chops, risotto al porcini etc. What is new is a Chef’s Special Menu divided into soup, salad, veg and non-veg appetisers, pizza, pasta, veg and non-veg main course and dessert sections.

Serafina 2.0 Chef’s Special Menu

On the new menu, each dish has a distinct flavour. The Insalata Pollo Grosso is a simple salad with grilled chicken breast, kidney beans, roasted corn, iceberg lettuce with mustard dressing. The slight sweetness with the mustard dressing and the crunchy veggies make for a perfect start to the meal.

Insalata Pollo Grosso

If you are fond of pork and beef, I will recommend the Crostini di Chorizo (slices of french baguette, gratinated with mozzarella & topped with slices of chorizo) and Polpette Di Manzo Piccanti (minced fillet Mignon dumplings with bell pepper in tangy sauce). The taste of chorizo comes out beautifully with the crostini and the filet mignon is soft and tender.

Crostini di Chorizo

Polpette Di Manzo Piccanti

Serafina pizzas have always been brilliant and the one I tried is aptly named Paradiso. The toppings are chicken, olives, onions, mozzarella with basil pesto and tomato sauce and the base is a slightly crispy, thin crust.

Paradiso Pizza

What is Italian food without pasta? I tried the Cremoso Spaghetti Calabrese or Spaghetti in tangy, homemade pink sauce with seasonal greens, olives and aged parmesan. This is the perfect Italian comfort food and I did not miss the addition of meat in it. For fish lovers, the Pesce E Mostarda Salsa or pan fried bhetki with parsley mashed potato and creamy mustard sauce can be a good option. I found it to be too mild for my taste.

Cremoso Spaghetti Calabrese

Pesce E Mostarda Salsa

Enough has been said about the famed Serafina Tiramisu so I’m not going to tell you again how beautiful it is. What I will say is that the Tiramisu has found a worthy competitor in the Choco Hazelnut Crème Brûlée. This dish is like heaven in a ramekin. Think of the creamy, hazelnut filling in a Ferrero Rocher praline. Now think of that same filling as a delicious, smooth Crème Brûlée. Yes, it is that good and you must try it. Absolutely must!

Choco Hazelnut Crème Brûlée

For chocolate lovers, there is also the Rich Chocolate Temptation which is a truffle fudge with chocolate ganache. Delicious no doubt but my vote goes to the Crème Brûlée 🙂

Rich Chocolate Temptation

Serafina

5th floor, Quest Mall

Open from 12 noon to 11.30 pm

Pocket pinch for two – Rs 1800 approx exclusive of taxes

Savouring Wordly Flavours At Seasonal Tastes, The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat

December 19, 2017

The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat, a towering 32-storey property located opposite Eco Park with 314 rooms and suites is now open. I was there a few weeks back for a bloggers meet at Seasonal Tastes, the all-day diner and this post is all about my experience.

Seasonal Tastes, The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat

Seasonal Tastes is located on the 10th floor and the first thing I noticed after entering is the sheer size of the restaurant. It is huuge! There are two live food stations that offer Asian and European fare. The buffet spread practically covers the entire expanse of the restaurant. There are separate stations for salads, cold cuts, cheese, chaats, vegetarian and non-vegetarian starters and main course in Indian, Oriental and Continental cuisine. What was most exciting for me was the desserts section packed with Indian and Western sweets, cakes and other delicacies. Seasonal Tastes also offers the Eat Well Menu for children and the Westin signature SuperFoodsRx breakfast.

Seasonal Tastes, The Westin Kolkata

At the bloggers meet, we tried out dishes from both the a la carte menu as well as the buffet. I started off my meal with the Green Curry and Pumpkin Emulsion with Tom Kha Foam from the a la carte menu. When I was asked what I was having, I could not decipher the flavours and was extremely surprised when I was told that it was pumpkin. It was rich, thick with coconut flavour and rather comforting on a cold day. Two other dishes I quite liked were the Seafood Pasta with Saffron Seafood Sauce and the Lemon and Parsley Risotto.

Seasonal Tastes, The Westin Kolkata

From the buffet, I would recommend you to try out the non-veg kababs, the biryani and lamb shanks. For dessert lovers, the dessert section is a dream and I especially loved the Chocolate Temptation Cake and the Chocolate Tart. However, if you really want to indulge in something special, order the Classic Opera from the a la carte menu. A delicious medley of chocolate, coffee and caramel!

Seasonal Tastes, The Westin Kolkata

Classic Opera

Buffet Details

Timing : All day dining restaurant. Lunch – 12:30 – 3pm & Dinner – 7:00 – 11 pm

Price : Breakfast – INR 1000, Lunch – INR 1250, Dinner – INR 1500

They are currently offering a 20% corporate discount on Lunch Buffets on weekdays.

Hotel Hindusthan International Introduces The Corporate Buffet

December 11, 2017

At work and you decide to go out for lunch with your colleagues? Out with your family or friends and want to go somewhere for a lavish buffet at a reasonable price? You now have a great place to go to. Hotel Hindusthan International has launched The Corporate Buffet for only Rs 999 including taxes!

Hotel Hindusthan International Corporate Buffet

HHI Corporate Buffet

The Corporate Buffet is on everyday from 12 pm to 3 pm at Mythh and at the price, the spread is very good. Starting with a variety of veg and non non-veg soups and salads, followed by starters, main course and desserts, the options are endless. Plus, you get to choose from Indian, Chinese and Continental food.

HHI Corporate Buffet

: HHI Corporate Buffet

: HHI Corporate Buffet

: HHI Corporate Buffet

HHI Corporate Buffet

I went to try The Corporate Buffet last week and was seriously impressed. The food will obviously keep changing everyday but I do hope in the mains, they keep the Mutton Vindaloo, Poached Fish and Chicken in Mustard Sauce as regulars. The mutton was incredibly soft and tender and had the right balance of spices and so did the Chicken in Mustard Sauce. The Poached Fish was moist and full of flavour.

HHI Corporate Buffet

For me, a buffet is incomplete without good desserts and even in that dept, HHI scored. I loved the cakes especially the Red Velvet Cake and the Caramel Pudding.

: HHI Corporate Buffet

: HHI Corporate Buffet

HHI Corporate Buffet

Hotel Hindustan International

235/1 AJC Bose Road

Kolkata – 700020

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