The Green Menu at Saffron

Elvis Costello is one of them. It may be the secret to Ashley Judd’s beauty. Even Paul McCartney recently re-recorded his song Heart of the Country (1971) for the LoveLinda campaign that celebrates vegetarianism. But you don’t have to become a vegetarian to enjoy the Green Menu that has been introduced by Saffron at The Park.

Loaded with 80 vegan delights, the menu is at once traditional and creative. “India is home to a huge variety of vegetables, pulses and cereals. And we have tried to present them on a green platter,” said chef Sharad Dewan, director, food production, The Park, Calcutta.

Saffron already has a menu for vegetarians, so why a separate “green menu”? “There are vegetarians who don’t have onion or garlic in their food. We also have patrons who want healthy, less spicy yet tasty food during summer. Thus, the Green Menu,” said Arindam Chakraborty, director, food and beverage, The Park, Calcutta.

Begin with a Nimbu Dhaniya Shorba, a coriander clear soup with a hint of gondhoraj lemon. And then nibble on Curd Rice Arancini (a creative take on Italian rice balls) and Tandoori Bharwan Guchhi (guchhi, the mushroom from Kashmir, is delicious… baked, fried or roasted).

In the main course, choose from multigrain roti or garlic basil naan that goes well with Dal Sailana (a toor dal preparation from the royal kitchens of Rajasthan), Dakhani Saag (spinach cooked with dill and spring onion), Gobind Gatta (a traditional Mewar delicacy of besan dumplings in a yogurt gravy). If you are a rice person, don’t miss the Sufiyani Subz Biryani. This vegetable biryani cooked in milk and cream and flavoured with green cardamom, goes well with Timatar Qut (something similar to a tomato salan) and Baghaar Ka Raita.

For desserts there is Murrakat (baked rice pudding), Gulaab Ki Kheer (fresh rose petals cooked with milk) or the Mishti Doi Tiramisu, the Italian dessert with a Bengali heart. Whatever you choose, don’t leave without having the Pan Gulkand ice cream, which is a clear winner.

Not just the grub, even the selection of beverage goes well with the meal. Pair your starters with a Talisker or Jura on the rocks and order rose or dessert wine to round off your meal.

A meal for two costs around Rs 1,500 (plus taxes, without alcohol).

Sibendu Das
Pictures: Rashbehari Das