Doesn’t matter if the monsoon is meek; the queen of maachh is here. Banking on a good catch of hilsa through the rainy months, Kewpie’s has kicked off the Ilish & Khichudi Bhuri Bhoj festival.

Rakhi’s Hilsa-handling tip: “The easiest way to handle hilsa is to marinate it in curd or lime. The bones become completely soft due to the acidity, making it more manageable to eat.”

Picture by Rashbehari Das

“I have always found it a better idea to serve ilish during August — in and around Independence Day — than in June or July because the monsoons are never that early, and you don’t get top quality fish,” explains Rakhi Purnima Dasgupta, owner of Kewpie’s.

Sit back, relax and take in the homely ambience as Rakhi readies the hilsa platter on an earthern plate, lined with bowls and banana leaves. Browse the festival special menu card, which with its pata painting motifs of maachher biye (the marriage of fish) will add a quirky twist to the traditional mood.

On till August 19 for both lunch and dinner, the festival serves four special Bhuri Bhoj Thalas — Ilish Bhuri Bhoj, Chingri Maachher Khichudi, Mangshor Khichudi and Niramish Khichudi — each comprising quintessentially Bangali fare like dal, fries, shukto or Aloo Dum, alongside Khichudi with ghee, and the meat or fish specials.

Not to forget the delicious combo of papad and chutney, along with a choice of dessert like Aam Kheer, Mishti Doi, Malpoa, Payesh and Patishapta.

Those with a smaller appetite need not fret. There is an a la carte spread of the hilsa and Khichudi specials for you to choose from.

“The dishes are a mix of edeshi and odeshi, catering to all tastes. The Smoked Hilsa (Boneless) is a must-have. It also happens to be a personal favourite,” says Rakhi.

Other must-try items include Ilish Pulao, Ilish Paturi (boneless), Ilish Bhape, Ilish Posto, Doi Ilish, Ilish Kachha Jhol and the odeshi Ilish Jhaal. The Chingri Maachher Khichudi and Mangshor Khichudi are also not to be missed.

A non-veg special Thala is priced at Rs 650 (plus taxes), while the Veg Khichudi Thala will come for Rs 370 (plus taxes).

Madhurima Chatterjee