If you wish to have a soulful dining experience with a twist, head towards Bonne Femme, the newest addition to Gariahat’s food corridor. Located at 139A Rashbehari Avenue, the restaurant is the brainchild of Sudip Mullick of Balaram Mullick and Radharaman Mullick. He spoke to My Kolkata and shared the story behind this new venture.
The menu at Bonne Femme features dishes with carefully-chosen names that hint at the essence of the dish or a particular region — Swaralipi Fish is named because it is wrapped in ‘shawr’ or malai, while Stock Market Chicken Stew refers to the stew available in Kolkata’s Stock Market area
My Kolkata: What inspired the creation of Bonne Femme?
Sudip Mullick: I have always been in love with restaurant food. I started eating out from a young age, sitting atop the table to eat, at places like Aminia and Anarkali in Metro Gully. My father used to take us out and we would end the day by dining out. I also started to experiment with food from a very young age at home, and pursued studies in hotel management. After pottering at several jobs, I joined the business. Balaram Mullick and Radharaman Mullick slowly started to flourish even more. I got so involved in the business that I couldn’t continue my further studies. But at home I continued to read and experiment with food. I always wanted to have my own restaurant. Hence Bonne Femme became the realisation of a long-held aspiration.
Located close to Basanti Devi Collage and Hindustan Park, the eatery is the newest addition to the Gariahat food scene
Transitioning from a popular mishti brand to a restaurant must have been quite the journey. Tell us more…
The journey has been exciting and engaging, too. I have spent sleepless nights on this. I handled every aspect, from selecting the tiles and seat covers for the interiors to creating the menu. We got hold of some great chefs like Rakesh Mondal, Sukumar and Mahesh, and put together a complete team.
What sets Bonne Femme apart?
Bonne Femme is a French word which conveys the idea of simple, soulful and comforting food. So at Bonne Femme, we have soulful delicacies crafted with love. We have curated a menu with familiar dishes but with a twist in our own desi way. Take, for example, our Scotch Egg. Almost everyone knows about it, but to make it a little different, we have kept the egg yolk runny. When you cut the egg the yolk oozes out. Or our Swaralipi Fish, which is bhetki fish marinated with green chillies, wrapped in shawr (the thin layer of malai that forms on milk) and presented on a bed of malaikari gravy. Another dish we have is Crab Kulcha. You get stuffed kulcha in many places but here we have stuffed it with crab meat.
L-R: Scotch Eggs the Swaralipi Fish from the Bonne Femme kitchen
What are some of your other top recommendations?
Bonne Femme is a multi-cuisine restaurant, offering something for everyone. The elaborate menu packs in starters, soups, main course, dessert, mocktails, tea, coffee, shakes, lemonades, Cabin food, and salads. It’s a delightful voyage of food. It's difficult to pick a few but among the favourites are Swaralipi Fish, Chelo Kebab, Tandoori Malai Broccoli, Crab Kulcha, Seafood Soup, Fish Roulade, mocktails like Gondhoraj Mojito and Daab Sherbet and dessert like Daab Delight and Tres Leches.
Clockwise from top left: Crab Kulcha, Tandoori Malai Broccoli, Tres Leches, and Gondoraj Mojito
Do you plan to experiment with mishti and French desserts?
We are already experimenting with dessert, such as mixing cream with malai for our Daab Delight. Additionally, we’ve put a spin on the classic Spanish dessert Tres Leches with elements of mishti.
Daab specials: Balaram Mullick and Radharaman Mullick’s popular daab sandesh reimaged as dessert option Daab Delight and (right) Daab Sharbat
You mentioned you’ve been hands-on with the decor. Tell us more about the touch of Greek and French influences.
Overall, the restaurant has a bungalow-like decor with a touch of Greek and French influences. The space draws inspiration from the restaurants I have travelled to around the world. From the teal tiles to the paintings and lights, each element has been hand-picked. Since Bonne Femme is a French word, there is an alley with French windows that adds a touch of elegance and streams in natural light. The rugged walls lend that rustic Mediterranean touch. The floor has printed tiles that complement the floral upholstery of the main dining area. In some sections, there are white iron chairs. And the dessert display at the entrance sets the stage for what we’re best known for!
The inspiration from Greek and French decor is clear in spaces like the window-side alley
Bonne Femme at a glance
Covers: 46
USP: From the house of Bengal’s famous sweet shop Balaram Mullick and Radharaman Mullick
Pop picks: Swaralipi Fish, Chelo Kebab, Tandoori Malai Broccoli, Crab Kulcha, mocktails like Gondhoraj Mojito and desserts like Daab Delight and Tres Leches
Timings: 1pm - 10.30pm every day
Address: 139A Rashbehari Avenue, Ballygunge (close to Basanti Devi College, Hindustan Park)
Pocket pinch: Rs 1,000-plus for two
