If you’re in Calcutta, and you are thinking biryani, then Aminia is definitely a name you cannot miss. A legendary family-run brand since 1929, Aminia has come a long way with 13 outlets across the city. But when Navaid Amin, one of the co-owners, decided to roll out another outlet on September 30, he had some new plans.
In Salt Lake, within the proximity of City Centre, came up Nav Aminia, an upscale version of the biryani outlet. “Nav Aminia can be easily understood as the ‘new’ Aminia because I want it to stand out from the other outlets. Most of us these days, and especially women, generally do not frequent biryani outlets. We prefer to order in biryani, instead of actually visiting outlets because they are usually overcrowded. So the idea was to open a place which carried the authentic flavour of Mughlai cuisine but had the ambience of a fine dine,” said Navaid.
Where: Andromeda building, first floor, DD-30, opposite City Centre Salt Lake
Open: Noon to 11.30pm
On the menu: Handi Kebab Laganwala, Mutton BBQ Chops, Achari Chicken, Mutton Rezala
Bar: No
Meal for two: Around Rs 1,200
t2 checked out Nav Aminia...
The Roghni Istoo at Nav Aminia is mutton cooked in a tomato gravy and garnished with juliennes of ginger and green chilli. Paired best with freshly-made tandoori roti! Rs 190
Another dish that one must try is the Delhi-style Dehlvi Korma — succulent pieces of mutton dumpukht in a spicy brown onion-and-yogurt gravy. Rs 240
Chicken Isfahan is another special where chicken breasts are stuffed with ‘Irani Keema’ (minced chicken flavoured with oregano and aromatic spices) along with dry fruits and cooked in a yogurt-based gravy. Rs 240
Apart from the regular Chicken and Mutton Biryani, Nav Aminia serves Awadhi Biryani. Reinvented by Navaid in 1998, this is a mix of Calcutta Biryani and Kachchi Biryani. The preparation method is that of the Calcutta Biryani, but the flavour belongs to Kachchi Biryani. The other prominent rice dish is the Yakhni Pulao. White in colour and cooked in the soup of the meat, it traces its roots to Rampur, Uttar Pradesh. Rs 350
Text: Zeba Akhtar.
Pictures: Pabitra Das
