If you’ve always felt that the only thing missing in Eco Tourism Park was good food, it’s time to make another trip to the park. An eatery will open there today that will serve the best of Bengali cuisine and its USP will be its location — on the island in the lake.
“Cafe Ekante is the only restaurant in India which visitors would have to take a boat ride to reach. This concept was taken from the Bruce Lee film Enter the Dragon where fighters from all over the world were taken to the arena on boats,” said Debashis Sen, chairman and managing director of Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (Hidco), that is in charge of the park.
The 40-seater restaurant has glass panels on three sides that overlooks the 112-acre lake as well as the Eco Island it is situated in. The interiors have been done up with jute mats and Jamini Roy paintings. The waiters will wear traditional Bengali attire and food would will be served in terracotta utensils sourced from the interiors of North 24-Parganas.
As for the menu, it will be varied — from Masala Muri and Aam Chop to Ganga Jamuna Koi, Thakurbarir Manghsher Jhol and Nolen Gurer ice cream. “We have inducted several professionals from the hospitality field to ensure we get the taste of authentic Bengali dishes right,” said Sen. “In winter, we shall also add more seats in the open area in front of the restaurant.”
Twenty-two cottages on the same island are also being let out from today for visitors to come and spend the weekend. Named Ekante Cottages, the homes are cosy and picturesque. They are fully furnished with double-beds and each cottage will have a verandah with a jetty that overlooks the lake. Facilities like angling are available at an extra charge. The rent for the cottages is Rs 2,400 per day.
