What: IIHM International Food & Drink Festival in association with t2

Where: Nicco Park, Wet-O-Wild

When: December 19-20, 6pm onwards

What to expect: Third-year students of International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) will be cooking up an Oriental storm. So expect your favourite dim sum, Thai curries and even some Indonesian titbits. A student do, you ask? Let’s refresh your memory. The last edition had everything from Teriyaki Rohu to Cookie Lolipops aka soft buns with mildly spiced chicken and lentil stuffing and Chocolate and Strawberry Jalebi. If that’s not incentive enough, the games stalls will help you build an appetite. There’s also a fashion show as well as a music-and-dance performance by the students. Bangla band Rudraksha will be there to liven up the Saturday night.

Organiser speak: “This is the 16th edition of this particular festival, which makes it one of the oldest traditions in Calcutta…and it’s open to everyone,” said Suborno Bose, chairman, IIHM.

 

What: City Centre Salt Lake and t2 present Confectionately Yours

When: December 18-20, noon-9pm

What to expect: Have your cake and eat it too! From cupcakes to cookies, cakes to macarons, the bakery fest brings desserts from boutique bakeries as well as home-made goodies from smaller bakers. And that’s not all. Whip up a storm at the baking workshops on the spot and make this festive season the sweetest ever. With over 15 stalls, you will be spoilt for choice.

Taste trail: Paris Cafe, Cakes, Cocoa Bakery, Creme Caramel, Cookie Man, Cake Studio, Slice of Heaven, Whacky Waffles, Chai-talks, Cakewali, The Lalit Great Eastern, Your Food, Calcutta Cupcakes, Cakelicious....

Organiser speak: “We have been toying with the idea of a bakery festival for the past two years and finally we have succeeded in organising one this year. Calcutta has local and renowned brands — we have 15 of them under one roof at City Centre Salt Lake. We expect a phenomenal response from this fest,” said Ramesh Pandey, GM, marketing and events, Ambuja Neotia Group.

 

BITE RIGHT

 

What: Edesia Christmas Menu

Where: Edesia, Minto Park (1st floor, The Regency, 6 Hungerford Street, opposite Birla High School)

When: From December 20 to January 3, Noon-11pm

On the menu: Enjoy Christmas with the special a la carte menu that includes appetisers like Wasabi Devilled Eggs (in picture), Grilled Fish Chunks with Cocktail Sauce and Bacon Wrapped Fried Chicken. What’s Christmas without turkey and pulled pork, so that’s there. But take heart vegetarians, for the Spinach and Ricotta Crepes and Baked Potato with Mushrooms are all yours. Eggnog, Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate and Christmas Cake can be a yum end to this winter splurge. 

Pocket pinch: Rs 1,200-plus for two

 

SUNDAY MORNING VEG BITES AT HAKUNA MATATA

Sunday morning is ideal for a family to enjoy the first meal of the day together and opening early to serve you some breakfast is Hakuna Matata, the first veggie eatery on Park Street. 

“We’re a pure vegetarian restaurant and we don’t even serve eggs. So a good variety was necessary for vegetarians. There are waffles and pancakes, but how much can one eat that? So we’ve put together a crisp menu with variety, so that there’s something for everyone, ” said owner Pallavi Ruia Dutta. 

For instance, vegetarians who’ve heard rave reviews about a full English breakfast, can order a Videshi Tiffin with juice, Sweet Potato and Bean Hash Baguette, Veggie Pancake, the batter made with carrot, zucchini, butter and flour, and Muesli Yogurt on the side. Then there’s Cottage Cheese Scramble on toast, Breakfast Mexican Cups... #NomNom!

t2 took a bite off the breakfast menu:

 

 The Sweet Yogurt and Muesli Mescolare, sprinkled with berry relish, comes in a tall  martini glass. And the menu also informs us about the calories, fat, carbs and protein  intake. A healthy-stylish-tasty veg breakfast! 
 Rs 200. #OneForInstagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mixed beans cooked in tomato salsa and guacamole go into the Breakfast Mexican Cups garnished with salsa and sour cream. Perfect for a little snacking. Rs 200.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What: Sunday breakfast at Hakuna Matata 

Where: 12D, Queens Mansion, Park Street (near Giggles)

Timings: 7am-11pm every Sunday

Pocket pinch: Rs 500-plus for two

Text: Riddhima Khanna
Pictures: Rashbehari Das

 

BUZZ IS ABUZZ WITH SIZZLERS

Calcutta has a short-lived winter and to make the most of it, we slip into our winter wear and binge on winter delicacies even before it’s actually time. Which takes us to Buzz at The Gateway Hotel, where a heart-warming array of sizzlers has been laid to last all throughout winter, at or least till January. 

Classic recipes like Ham Steak Singapore and Grilled Tenderloin with green pepper jus are obvious and delicious choices, whereas fusion dishes like Clay-oven Cooked Mutton Shank and Lucknavi Spiced Grilled Fish entice too. For vegetarians, Pan-seared Green Jackfruit Patty and Chargrilled Veg Chipotle in Tacos are the way to go. 

“There’s a large variety of dishes available for both vegetarians as well as non-vegetarians. Sizzlers are an all-time favourite but in winter, it’s truly delicious,” said executive chef Asish Roy. 

To give the sizzler a twist, the chef has experimented with Indian spices and continental sauces. “I picked up this trick from famed chef Anton Mosimann (formerly of Dorchester Hotel in London), who would incorporate local spices into international dishes. It takes a fair bit of trial and error but sometimes the result can be great. I tried out my recipes with the other chefs and regular customers, and the ones for which I received positive feedback have made it to the menu of the festival,” Roy added. 

What: Sizzler Festival

Where: Buzz,  The Gateway Hotel

When: Till end-January, noon-3pm and 7.30pm-11.30pm

Pocket pinch: Rs 1,400-plus for two

Deborima Ganguly