Eating out in Cal

I swear I hate the name Kolkata, no for no reasons, its just that I don't like my favourite things being altered for no rhyme or reason... So the thing is, I was going to Delhi, and one of my Delhite friends send me a blog address for the best places to eat in Delhi... Well I am not that a blogger, nor a foodie, but ya, I do have my favourite places to eat... Along with this I'd name a few more 'famous places' which u should try in Cal, well probably because there is nothing much to do otherwise... Warning contains only vegetarian places!!!!

Well I am not gonna arrange it in any semblance order, its just a list of places I remember...

#Sonar Gaon- The Taj Bengal, Belvedere Road
Well this always featured in my favourite paradises, but ranked a bit lower than Zaranj and Raj and Kalash...but surprise surprise, Its on the top now... Well this place is expensive, stinkingly so, I agree but then its worth the hole in your pocket... With a very apt decor of low rise tables and chairs, with stylish cutlery, yet giving you a very village feel en-excellance' is what Sonargaon signifies...Its delectable food with a soothing ambiance pampers u for choice... I have the toughest time choosing what to order... Its majorly famous also for its non-veg cuisine.
Cuisine type: North West Frontier cuisine (V&N)
My pick: hariyali sabji, Dahi Kebab, and Wakhari Paratha
U go poorer by: 3-course-meal- for- 2 Rs 1700 approx (incl of tax)


#Zaranj / Jongs- J.L.Nehru Road
Probably has been my Fav for the longest period, but very very slowly, I do see a decline in its quality...Though my family still swears by it, and I am yet to not love it anymore... It has the most amazing Dal Bukhara's in the city... Also houses the maker of the awesomest Lachchedaar Paratha's... The entire food is top bracket, which u could get modulated according to your wants of spicy, medium, etc... Very simple ambiance, very simple cutlery, yet elegant..The key to this place is the free-from-clutter environment, the peace and the simplicity, add to that great food and genuine warmth from the staff... It has an oriental cuisine wig also, which again is equally amazing... specially the center of the dining ares have a low seating arrangement... It also houses some nice spirits, though otherwise has the common fare
Cuisine: North west frontier.(V&N)
U go poorer by: 3-C-M-F-2- Rs 1200
My picks: Paneer Tikka, Lachchedaar Paratha, Dal

#Jalapenos- Camac Street
Well its an only vegetarian Italian food restaurant, but trust me it even makes me like pasta's... the decor is very basic, nothing very spectacular, nor is the service very great... But the food makes up for it... Has the most scrumptious Garlic breads, Nachos (its Mexican, still they have it) and Pasta's... but don't go expecting much of a crowd, it caters to families mainly and no alcohol...
Cuisine: Italian
Poorer by: Rs 500 for 2
My pick: Lasagna, Garlic bread and Tiramisu


#Raj: Manohar pukur road
Well I am not sure many of you would like the place after visiting it, because its located in a small hotel, is a Udipi cuisine restaurant, very very basic... But has the most most amazing South Indian... Love love the Sambhar... Its always a wait whenever u go there...
Cuisine: Udipi fare
My pick: Paper plain Dosa, Rawa Dosa and Dancing Coffee.
Pocket friendly: Maximum Rs150 for 2

#Flury's: Park Street
Very Victorian. Very English. That's the first thing that strikes me about this place... It emphasises the indelible mark left on Calcutta by British. It has the old world charm, even with the upmarket renovation, swank interiors yet it still has that old world charm... the nostalgia factor, the mystique, the grandeur of the unknown world.. That's what makes its food so special... entirely famous for Its Milk breads, pastries and Omelette's(never tried it, but who has never keeps shut about it)... U'll love it for its typical English menu... Hey! in the growing trend of theme restaurants, it could qualify as a British Coffee shop!!! :D
Cuisine:British, confectionery(V&N)
My pick: Beans on toast, earl gray tea, chocolate croissant and chocolate pudding...
Price buster: Rs400 for 2


#Peter Cat: Park Street
Again the old world charm, good food, average crowd, but scores high on nostalgia and feel good factor...Stands testimony to why Park Street was so famous...
Cuisine: Indian food (V&N)
My Pick: Well personally I havent been there, but have heard its non-vegetarian delicacies are more famous...
Price buster: Rs 700 for 2


#Chaat outside Vardaan, Camac Street
Well Calcutta is famous for its favourite Puchka's, Jhaal Muri, add to this Garam Dal Vada's served with spicy green chutney and garlic chutney, Moong Dal's Chilla with or without onion, served with the two same chutneys, Yellow beans (Pili matars) Garam Chaat, Its heaven for chaat lovers... The added advantage of shopping and eating is too much :)
My Pick: Garam Vada and Chilla
Price Buster: Chilla is for 20, Garam Vada is Rs 15 a plate containing 5 pieces, Puchka is 4 pc's for 5 rs, Jhaaalmuri is 10 for a packet...


#Puchka and Jhaalmuri At Russel Street
This place is jam packed whenever u go there... My favouritest place for puchka's and Muri, because this place truly has the most amazing ones... One advice stand there and keep trying spicy non-spicy, tamarind water, jaggery water with ur puchka's, u'll know why despite being banned for me, I cant live without them :)
Price Buster: Same as that for Vardaan, the price for puchka is standard in more or less all places...

#Puchka at Hindusthan Park
Well too many suggestion for places for puchka, but this place got the Khaibaar Paas (TOI awards for street food) award... There are many who sit here, but one lady is famous and u'll know who she is when u reach there... But personally I am not very fond of that place


#Bar-B-Q: Park Street
Good Chinese food, Great crowd, ok types ambiance and a regular youngsters joint is what this place is drumming with...
Cuisine: Chinese, Indian
My Pick: Spring Roll, American Corn salt and pepper
Damages: Rs 800 for 2


#Chinnoserie : Taj Bengal
Awesomest authentic Chinese, but low on decor, and price doesnt cover the pleasure like in Sonargaon...
Cuisine: Authentic Oriental
My Pick: Sweet Corn soup, Devils Choice and Dumplings
Poorer by: Rs2000 for two

For authentic Chinese China Town off Tangra is very very famous....

Well too many more places to eat, probably I'll write a second version also!! if ppl think this was decent...;)

A new Lease of Life

Dear Diary

Its again that time of the year when people prepare to party, when they reflect the year that has been, they sign the best and worst, study movements... Its the favourite time of the year for every eloquent writer. Check any blog, any newspaper, magazine, news channel, radio channel everyone worth their steam or not, they visit the morgue and come out with analysis and dissection of the year that has been... Its also that season when you have a reason to cuddle up to that special person, or cuddle up with a steaming hot chocolate, with a nice book in hand below the covers... Or a long windy drive, catch a strawberry milkshake or that orange kulfi... Its also the year when a part of the wardrobe gets a new lease of life...Its that time of the year when there are no more fights for regulating the A.C temperature with that ever-nagging-forever dissatisfied-stubborn-roommate... Its the time of the year when you are actually overjoyed about a walk in the evening for it feels great to have that cold gush of wind caressing your face, like cooling down all the tumulus thoughts that have been plaguing u. To make you feel that someone somewhere is always with you, you don't walk alone. When you snuggle up further in those jackets of yours, it shows the importance of warmth. The need for having someone close delves deeper than never before...Its the season for sin, seduction, and romance...when passions rule supreme to make that mercury, if not of the thermometer, of the air sizzle and become electric... Its the time when love blooms, alliances are made... The temperament of people are so relaxed and cool, that hardly, hardly any breakups or trouble in paradise are noted in this season...

Its that time of they year when every one is making merry and is high on excitement or sloshed... sloshed with alcahol, or sloshed with the natural intoxication of great food, free spirit and the cool winds of romance...Wherever you go, which ever mood you are in, you will see everybody relaxed, no sarcastic armours, no guards, no reserves...all this courtesy a little drink, a little drama, and a lot of pleasure...

Its also the time of the year when you enjoy FOOD!!!! Those hot grilling paneer tikka's, the various bar-be-q kebabs, the deliciously thick dal, the amazing assortment of vegetables that tantalise your senses as much as they please your taste buds, the plethora of drinks finding another excuse to be enjoyed, Rum Cakes, Chocolate in zillion forms, Strawberry dipped chocolate, Strawberry Shakes, Pies, Bakes,Gajar ka Halwa, Matar ki Kachori, the Ghevars ....what not!!!...Amazingly everyone knows when to have Scotch, Cognac, Vodka, Wine, Whiskey, Beer...Nobody mixes their drinks this time around...

But what actually traps all these flavours are , very obviously, the new years eve, and the new years day itself... A time of revelry, a time of merry making, a time of living for the day, not dwell in the bygones, look forward for that rising sun, bringing up new surging desires, hopes, wants for a better footing and fewer regrets, apprehension of the possibility of loosing what you already have... Rejuvenating after one very tiresome year, to gear and recharge for the coming year. To smell the scent of ecstasy, to smell the blooming blossoms of flowers, the kaleidescope of colours rioting your senses...

Its the time of the year where being single is still not a crime, even though I call it the time for romance... The feeling of freedom, of being at ease, of enjoying the revelry with no-strings-attached, of being you for you, of spending time as you please, of living life king size at half the cost .... Ok! ok! the cost issue was a ncie dig on the expenses a guy foots for the 'maintenance' of his girl... But seriously am happy being single...

This year I enjoyed my time to the fullest, up for grabs is next year!!

Wishing You a Very Very satisfying year Ahead, maybe next time I'll come up with a boring obituary of the past year...

Tagged

Tagged by Bhavesh

I am thinking about: That I think too much, and thinking is a waste of time, so I am thinking that I should stop thinking…

I said: Everybody loves u, just the way they know how to love, not the way u expect them too…

I want to: Be on a waterside, with cool breeze, beach and a small hill to climb…

I wish: That I was a shade of goodness, as some people perceive me to be ..( sachchi, promise)

I regret: Having no regrets in life… I wouldn’t have done anything I haven’t, or change anything I have

I hear: Silence drumming, my own heartbeats, and the click clack of my keyboard…( my a.c is actually noiseless!!! Wow!) oh and now ma yelling to have breakfast (sheesh! Just my life) :D

I am: A glass of wine…

I dance: Well I am rolling with laughter at the mere thought of my dancing

I sing : the songs of bravery for those who can manage this Herculean task!!!

I cry: Alone.

I am not: What u think I am

I write: to reach out...( to whom I don’t know)

I confuse: Patience with hard work

I need: Togetherness

I tag Nobody…some lessons learnt the hard way are not forgotten

Embers of Smile

It began with a whisper
But grew and grew
Until I felt certain
The source must be you
Why did you smile
While I listened and then
Turn away as their faces
Felt
Silent
Again


What had you told them
That slammed shut their looks
Like end of a lesson
With unpopular books?
What was the writing
Which I couldn't see
As it hid between the covers and
pointed
at
me...

Nothing much could have happened
For by the next day
We were laughing and chatting
And managed to stay
Well after a fashion
Good friends for a while
But always between us
The Ghost of that
smile