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| A plate of Falafel |
What was Calcutta gorging on in 2008? And why? t2 serves up the top food and beverage trends the city witnessed in the past 12 months…
Say Sushi:
Chinese may have won over generations of Calcuttans, but now it is time for some Kare Raisu and Sashimi. “Japanese dishes are there in the five-stars. We are waiting for someone to introduce them in the restaurants in a big way,” says Santanu Sarkar, business development manager, Oriental Cuisines Pvt Ltd, the group that owns Zara and Benjarong restaurants in South City Mall.
Jong’s, the Oriental restaurant on Chowringhee, has witnessed a growing demand for Yakitori. The charcoal-grilled fish and meat dishes have been quite a hit with the city foodie, explains Faisal Alam, manager of Zaranj and Jong’s.
“Different” and “good for health” are perhaps the main reasons that have contributed to the rise in demand for Japanese food. “People are conscious of calories nowadays. You see, the Japanese live long,” smiles t2 food columnist Nondon Bagchi.
All things healthy:
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This really became the buzzword during the year. “Our salads are doing very well. I think this trend is here to stay, says Pooja Baid of Piccadilly Square. People downed a lot of soup and tucked into leafy salads all year long.
The go-healthy trend has even made its way into weddings. “Health-conscious food made with less oil is currently the trend and what’s picking up speed is the demand for organic food for weddings,” says Pradip Ruia of Ruia Caterers & Decorators, a player in the field for more than 30 years now.
Mediterranean and Lebanese:
From Mezze to Plush (the new lounge at The Astor), Aqua Java’s Minto Park branch to Piccadilly Square (Lansdowne), Mediterranean is hot, hot, hot.
“At Piccadilly, having tasted our hummus, people have been asking for other Lebanese dishes like falafel,” says Pooja.
Irfan Ahmed, partner, Soho & Mezze, “Calcutta’s first authentic Mediterranean restaurant”, could not agree more.
“Chinese and Italian were the only cuisine people were familiar with in the beginning. Now Mediterranean food has picked up tremendously because it is the closest to the Indian palate, being spicy and mirchi,” says Puja Kapur, partner, Kookie Jar, which owns Mangio, a global-cuisine food stop in Alipore.
Drink dossier:
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There was good news for wine lovers. “Wine is growing like never before. Even 20 years ago, nobody would have imagined this happening,” says Bagchi. The pairing of Indian barbecue and wine is also turning out to be a great hit, feels The ITC Sonar executive chef Ramesh Javvaji.
Cocktails have staged a comeback. Cosmopolitan ruled 2008, and mojito and margarita are moving fast, feels drink-master Irfan Ahmed.
Gelato:
After the success of Mama Mia!, other gelato brands have popped up in town, like Gelato at South City Mall. Even standalone eateries like Piccadilly Square have started to offer the Italian ice cream. Sweet but less sinful!
Live counters:
Live counters — in particular Tepanyaki — are springing up at many eateries. Sticking to one kind of cuisine limits a customer and counters are perhaps the easiest way of offering variety.
“Urban Desi will soon have a Tepanyaki counter,” says Bunty Sethi of the Fort Knox restaurant and the revamped Starstruck at Forum. At Zaranj and Jong’s, too, a new Tepanyaki counter is on the menu.
Deli belly:
This year saw two delis opening — Afraa Deli and The Street. “Street food and takeaway counters are doing well. Salads, cheese, oil and artesan products fly off the racks,” says Anirban Simlai, F&B manager, The Park.
All-day quick-service dining with a health tweak is a menu mantra. “We see a demand for takeaway and deli,” reveals Anjan Chatterjee of the Speciality Group.
Ups and downs:
“I look at more globalised trends with more experimentation, more fine-dining and more standalone places,” sums up Nondon Bagchi.
Some like Shaun Kenworthy, however, read signals of a slowdown. “There is a gradual going back to the basics like Chinese and Indian, which people know they can sell.”
At the end of the day, it was all about some of the old co-existing with a lot of the new. “We will always get our kabiraji or cutlet no matter what happens,” smiles Nondon Bagchi.
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FIVE THINGS YOU weRE MOST LIKELY TO SPOT ON A MENU
Yakitori/Sushi
Hummus
Crepes
Gelato
Health & organic food
A look at dine dens that cropped up across Calcutta in 2008
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SIGREE
Where: Silver Arcade on E.M. Bypass.
DoB: February 9.
Business hours: Noon to 3pm for lunch; 7pm to 11pm for dinner.
Covers: 150.
Cuisine: North-West Frontier.
Best-seller item: Kareli Roganjosh, shanks of lamb simmered and cooked in ginger and garlic paste gravy.
Parking: At the mall.
Pocket pinch: Rs 750 (plus taxes) for two.
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URBAN DESI
Where: Fort Knox at 6 Camac Street.
DoB: February 11.
Business hours: Between 12.30pm and 3pm for lunch; 7pm to 11pm for dinner.
Covers: 145.
Cuisine: One of the few rooftop restaurants in the city, Urban Desi offers North Indian dishes at Darbar. Noodle Bar, which replaced E-Asia this December, is the other half of the restaurant offering Chinese cuisine, soups and a Mongolian grill. At Karma, there’s flavoured hookah.
Best-seller item: Mongolian Grill platter at Noodle Bar, Daal Makhni at Darbar and the Lebanese platter at Karma.
Parking: For 50 cars inside Fort Knox.
Pocket pinch: Rs 800 (plus taxes) at both places (without drinks), for two.
Non-food options: Noodle Bar has a DJ and pool tab. Karma has hookah. There’s lounge music and a splendid view. Plus, Venom is a floor below!
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FAR EAST
Where: The Enclave, 27/1 Alipore Road.
DoB: February 15.
Business hours: 12.30pm to 3.30pm (lunch); 7.30pm to 11.30pm (dinner).
Covers: 65.
Cuisine: Thai.
Best-seller item: Phad Nam Prik Phao or Fried Prawns made with Thai herbs and sauces.
Parking: Valet parking for 15-20 cars inside, plus roadside parking.
Pocket pinch: Rs 700 for a meal for two.
OH! CALCUTTA PRIVATE DINING
Where: Silver Arcade.
DoB: May 30.
Business hours: 12.30pm to 3pm for lunch; 7pm to 11 pm for dinner.
Covers: 96.
Cuisine: The menu is primarily Bengali and Continental. Dig into Roasted Leek and Potato Soup with Herbed Prawns, Smoked Tomato and Celery Soup, Daab Aar Shaaker Tarkari, Aam Diye Bhindi and Smoked Cottage Cheese Steaks in Honey Mustard Emulsion.
Best-seller item: Gondhoraj Maachh.
Parking: Basement parking at Silver Arcade.
Pocket pinch: Rs 650 plus taxes for two (excluding liquor).
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AFRAA AND AFRAA DELI
Where: City Centre’s Block G.
DoB: Afraa restaurant opened on March 7, Afraa Lounge on April 4 and Afraa Deli on June 25.
Business hours: Afraa Lounge: 3pm to midnight (on weekends), 5pm to midnight (on weekdays). On Fridays and Saturdays, it’s open till 2am. Afraa restaurant: 11.30 am to 3.30 pm, 7pm to 11.30pm (all days).
Covers: Restaurant: 92; Lounge: 128.
Cuisine: A range of global flavours, dominated by Italian fare at Afraa. Afraa Deli — Afraa’s “fun-food version” — opened its doors for patrons looking for alternative eats. With bakes and pastries, pastas and salads, cold cuts and gourmet items, it is a den of delicacies.
Best-seller item: Asparagus Sun-dried Tomato Risotto, Grilled Bekti with Caper Butter Sauce and the Mixed Grilled Platter. The Philadelphia Cheese Cake is also popular.
Parking: At the mall.
Pocket pinch: Rs 1,600 (plus taxes) for four courses (no alcohol) for two. At the Deli, bakes and pastries are in the range of Rs 20 to Rs 120; pastas and salads between Rs 60 and Rs 120; cold cuts between Rs 200 and Rs 700 per 100g and gourmet items between Rs 150 and Rs 5,000.
Non-food options: Foot-tapping music by DJ Sethi at the lounge every day.
FLAME & GRILL
Where: South City Mall.
DoB: April 3.
Business hours: Noon to 3pm for lunch; 7pm to 11pm for dinner.
Covers: 96.
Cuisine: Flame & Grill followed the opening of its sibling Sigree. While Flame & Grill is “casual buffet dining”, Sigree is “fine-dining a-la-carte”. The kebab is served on an open grill or a sigree.
Best-seller item: The kebab platter.
Parking: At the mall.
Pocket pinch: The grill and buffet costs Rs 295 on weekdays for lunch and Rs 325 for dinner (plus taxes). On weekends, lunch and dinner is Rs 395 (plus taxes).
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MAINLAND CHINA
Where: South City Mall.
DoB: March 7.
Business hours: Noon to 3pm for lunch; 7pm to 11pm for dinner.
Covers: 148.
Cuisine: Hunan, Sichuan and Cantonese. There are exclusive dining enclosures for those who prefer privacy. A bar lounge adds that extra touch.
Best-seller item: General Tao’s Chicken and Exotic Vegetable in Chilli Plum Sauce.
Parking: At the mall.
Pocket pinch: A meal for one comes for Rs 550, a-la-carte. The lunch buffet is priced at Rs 325 on weekdays and Rs 425 on weekends.
NOLA WORLD
Where: Silver Arcade on E.M Bypass.
DoB: April 14.
Business hours: 11am to 11pm.
Covers: 90.
Cuisine: Continental, Indian and coastal.
Best-seller item: Prawn Koliwada.
Parking: In the mall.
Pocket pinch: A meal for two will cost you Rs 800 (plus taxes).
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ZARA
Where: South City Mall.
DoB: July 12.
Business hours: 12.30 pm till midnight. Closed on Mondays.
Covers: 100.
Cuisine: Spanish (or Spanish inspired). The menu is an assortment of “a huge variety of tapas”. Plus, there are pastas and classic cocktails. Spanish specialities include Calamares a la Romana (squid), Gambas Rebozadas (shrimp) and Ensalada Valencia (salad).
Best-seller item: Breaded Chicken Sausage Roll.
Parking: At the mall.
Pocket pinch: Prices start at Rs 95. Drinks are priced at Rs 250-plus.
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BENJARONG
Where: South City Mall.
DoB: July 11.
Business hours: Noon to 3pm for lunch and 7pm to 11pm for dinner.
Covers: 66.
Cuisine: Thai.
Best-seller item: Gai Hor Baidaey (a chicken preparation).
Parking: At the mall.
Pocket pinch: A meal for two will cost you Rs 800.
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MCDONALD’S
Where: Mani Square.
DoB: June 12.
Business hours: 10am to 11pm.
Covers: 214.
Cuisine: From Aloo McTikki and Chicken McGrill to french fries and McSwirl, the chocolate-coated softy icecream.
Best-seller item: McVeggie with cheese.
Parking: At the mall.
Pocket pinch: Prices start at Rs 20 (plus taxes) for an Aloo McTikki.
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THE STREET
Where: The Park hotel.
DoB: July 2.
Business hours: 12.30pm to 12.30am (Monday to Thursday and Sunday); 12.30pm to 4.00am (Friday- Saturday).
Covers: 30.
Cuisine: Street foods of the world. The Street is split into four food sections — Cafe, Deli, Desserts and Cellar.
Best-seller item: Hot dogs and Shawarma. The combo offers with beer or wine are very popular.
Parking: At The Park.
Pocket pinch: A meal for two will cost between Rs 200 and Rs 400.
Non-food options: A flower cart and city memorabilia items for sale.
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AMBER
Where: 28A Suren Tagore Road (opposite Gariahat Pantaloons).
DoB: July 1.
Business hours: Noon to 11.30pm.
Covers: 40.
Cuisine: Indian, tandoori and Continental. Tuck into the famous Mutton Reshmi Kebab, Fish Masala or Rogan Josh that have been specialities at Amber since 1959 at their Waterloo Street address.
Best-seller item: Kebabs like the Mutton Reshmi Kebab and Fish Tikka. In gravies, it’s Paneer Butter Masala and Chana Masala. The Baked Fish Tomato is a favourite in the Continental section.
Parking: 15 cars.
Pocket pinch: A meal for two will cost Rs 450.
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MACHAAN
Where: Mani Square.
DoB: July 31.
Business hours: 12.30pm to 3pm (lunch); 7pm to 11pm (dinner).
Covers: 166.
Cuisine: The focus is on Indian food like Hare Patton Ka Murgh or the Aloo Ki Topi. There are also some innovative firsts like Crab Naan and Phaldari Seekh, a seekh-ful of fruit.
Best-seller item: Bharatpur Ka Chaat.
Parking: At the mall.
Pocket pinch: A meal for two would cost Rs 500, plus taxes.
Non-food options: The theme restaurant resembles a forest, complete with earthy walls effect, trees with fibre-glass leaves and animals that move their heads!
ORIENTUM
Where: 145, Rashbehari Avenue.
DoB: September 3.
Business hours: Between noon and 3.30pm (lunch) and 7pm onwards (dinner).
Covers: 180.
Cuisine: Chinese.
Best-seller item: Steamed Fish in Chilli Soya Sauce.
Parking: At the mall.
Pocket pinch: A meal for two will come for Rs 400 and more.
RED XPRESS
Where: Metropole Hotel, 174, Sarat Bose Road.
DoB: November 15.
Covers: 60.
Business hours: 12.30pm to 3.30pm (lunch), 7.30pm to midnight (dinner).
Cuisine: Multicuisine. Also quick meals and Continental. Breakfast service will be started soon.
Best-seller item: Grilled Prawns, Shashlik.
Pocket pinch: Rs 700 for a meal for two.
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T2 WOK & GRILL
Where: 4 Hindustan Park.
DoB: August 15.
Business hours: Noon to 10.30pm.
Covers: 70.
Cuisine: Tangerine # 2 has mainly Oriental with a section of Continental classics. By mid-January the eatery will feature Indian cuisine as well.
Best-seller item: Pork Chops with Prune and Wine Glaze, Sliced Fish Chilli Mustard.
Pocket pinch: Rs 700 for a meal for two (includes taxes).
FLAMEZ
Where: 55A Mirza Ghalib Street.
DoB: October 18.
Business hours: 11am to 11pm.
Covers: 72.
Cuisine: Chinese, Thai and seafood.
Best-seller item: Steamed seafood, Sui Mai, Tom Yam.
Parking: Fee parking can accommodate 5-6 cars.
Pocket pinch: Rs 400-450 for a meal for two.
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MAINLAND CHINA PRIVATE DINING
Where: Silver Arcade, E.M. Bypass.
DoB: Sep 19.
Covers: 86.
Business hours: Noon to 3pm for lunch; 7pm to 11pm for dinner.
Cuisine: New-world Chinese.
Best-seller item: Wasabi Prawn, Steamed Fish.
Pocket pinch: A meal for two comes for Rs 900 (plus taxes).
PICCADILLY SQUARE
Where: 15B Sarat Bose Road (near Technocity electronics mall).
DoB: September 3.
Business hours: Between 11am and 10.30pm (weekdays) and 8.30am and 11.30pm (weekends).
Covers: 50.
Cuisine: European snack food.
Best-seller item: Freddo and waffles with chocolate sauce.
Parking: Street parking is available for six cars and inside the Technocity complex, there is space for four cars.
Pocket pinch: Prices start at Rs 40.
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SHACK
Where: Mani Square.
DoB: December 11.
Business hours: 3pm to midnight.
Covers: 120.
Cuisine: Goan. The delicately spicy cuisine packs in a lot of fish and seafood options. The Calangute Fish Patty, Bella’s Goan Lamb, Prawn Balchao and Goan Fish Curry and Rice are some of the offerings. The innovative Feni Phuchka is a must-try. Try ‘shack-tails’ like Calungute Sea Breeze and Arjuna’s Hippy Sling.
Most unusual item: Feni Phuchka.
Best-seller item: Prawn Balchao.
Parking: At the mall.
Pocket pinch: A meal for two would cost Rs 450 for vegetarian and 575 for non-vegetarian.
Non-food options: DJ Dippy, the in-house DJ, turns out rocking numbers. There’s a dance floor and a pool table.
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PLUSH
Where: The Astor Hotel.
DoB: December 17.
Business hours: 7pm to 11.30pm (for dinner only).
Covers: 50.
Cuisine: The main course menu features about 20 Italian and Mediterranean meals like Chicken/ Paneer Shawarma, Prawns Piri Piri, Lamb Moussaka, Pastas, Quesadillas and more.
Best-seller item: Baked Fish in Orange Chilli Citrus.
Pocket pinch: A meal for two will cost Rs 1,000 (all-inclusive), without alcohol.
Non-food options: Dance to the beats of DJ Sanjay Dutta.
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STARSTRUCK
Where: Forum Mall.
DoB: September 16, 2004. The revamped Starstruck opened on November 9, 2008.
Business hours: 12.30pm-11pm.
Covers: 72.
Cuisine: Chinese, Indian, Thai and Continental.
Best-seller item: Mushroom Tortellini, Chicken Stroganoff.
Pocket pinch: A meal for two will cost Rs 900 (plus taxes), without alcohol.
Non-food options: Privy, the new lounge-bar-nightclub is next door.
After meals
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COSTA COFFEE
Where: Mani Square, G O7, ground floor.
DoB: Sept 26.
Business hours: 10am to 11pm.
Covers: 36.
Menu: Sandwiches, salads, submarines and pastries.
Best-seller item: Chocolate truffle cake.
Pocket pinch: Starts at Rs 50 for a cup of coffee (includes taxes).
CCD
Where: Eleven outlets opened in 2008 at South City Mall, RDB-Adlabs, Airport (international and domestic), Salt Lake Swimming Pool, Mani Square, Silver Spring, Basant Bose Road, Calcutta Club, BBD Bag, Phoolbagan.
Business hours: 9am to 11.30pm.
Covers: Around 30-40 each.
Menu: Coffee, sandwiches, pizzas, burgers and pastries.
Best-seller item: Coffee and sandwiches.
Pocket pinch: Rs 40-50 (average).
FRESH & NATURELLE
Where: 13D, Russell Street.
DoB: October 1.
Business hours: 11am to 11pm.
Covers: 6.
Menu: Ice creams and sundaes.
Best-seller item: Nalen gurer ice cream.
Pocket pinch: Rs 5
COOKIE MAN
Where: South City and Mani Square malls.
DoB: January 16 (South City), June 16 (Mani Square).
Business hours: 10am to 9pm.
Menu: Cookies!
Bestseller item: Brandy Snap.
Parking: At the malls.
Pocket pinch: Prices start at Rs 15.
MAMA MIA!
Where: South City and Mani Square.
DoB: March (South City) and June (Mani Square).
Business hours: 11am to 11pm.
Covers: Take-away kiosks.
Menu: Gelatos.
Best-seller item: Triple Chocolate.
Parking: At the malls.
Pocket pinch: Rs 100 for two.
NEW ZEALAND NATURALS
Where: 4A Wood Street and Mani Square.
DoB: March 5 and June 22.
Business hours: 10.30 am to 11pm.
Menu: Ice cream, sorbets, frozen yoghurt, smoothies, shakes.
Most unusual item: Boysen Berry Ripple ice cream. For diabetics, Chocolate Zilch is a treat.
Best-seller item: Berryfruit, mango, lemon and passionfruit sorbets.
Pocket pinch: Starts at Rs 45 for a scoop (inclusive of taxes).
AQUA JAVA
Where: 32 Elgin Road, 5 Ramani Chatterjee Road, Mani Square, Crossword (Elgin Road). The 10 Wood Street cafe was also revamped this year.
DoB: January onwards.
Business hours: 10am to 11pm. The Elgin Road address stays open till midnight.
Covers: Elgin Road 45; Crossword 26; Ramani Chatterjee Road 52; Mani Square 45; Wood Street 48.
Menu: Coffee, light bites and dessert; salads; Mediterranean cuisine, cold coffees, smoothies...
Best-seller item: Wai Wai Bhel — a spicy chaat with chopped chillies, onions and dry noodles, pasta and nachos. In drinks, Crunchin’ Java and Brownie Java.
Pocket pinch: A meal for two will cost Rs 150 approximately.
Non-food options: Fruit flavoured shishas and Wi-Fi.
