Quick list of restaurants in Kolkata

A quick list of low-medium price range restaurants in Kolkata can be found here.

Calcutta at 'extreme risk'

Calcutta is among six cities worldwide at “extreme risk” of facing natural hazards of climate change, including the impacts of sea level rise, but with a poor capacity to respond, says a report released today. Read about it
here.

Twist of taste

Twist of taste is a innovative cooking show on Fox Traveller & History channel that I like. Here is an interview with the 5-star michelin chef and presenter of the show, and a tidbit of the segment on Kolkata.

Interview with Anjan Chatterjee

Anjan Chatterjee is the man behind the Mainland China chain of restaurants. Read his interview with the Telegraph here.

Taaja's is an iconic restaurant of Kolkata serving assorted World Cuisine. Search the net and you will see glowing reviews. A Times Foodie award winner, read about it here, here and here.

Pujas: Security advisory for citizens

A handbook of precautions released by Kolkata Police. Read it here.

Kolkata police: security advisory for citizens

Here is the security advisory for citizens regarding general safety measures

Restaurant on the first floor - tandoor and indo multi cuisine restaurant

The restaurant on the first floor is a highly rated tandoor and indian restaurant, it features live performances by artists. Website of the restaurant.

The chef has released a book, read about it here.

New branch of the Grub Club opened (Apr 2011)

The Grub Club is a popular indo tibetan chinese small restaurant chain of Kolkata. A new outlet has opened in NSC Bose Road. Read about it here.

Angus Denoon, Indie film maker of Street food Kolkata (Nov 2010)

Street food is an indie film that has been doing the rounds for a bit. It was produced by Angus Denoon, the jhalmuri wala of England.

Some books, films, and travels later, an interesting story about his foray into Bengali snacks - find about it here, here and here.

Conclave, Kolkata's first business club, completes 25 years (Apr 2011)

The Conclave is the city's first business club, owned by Harsh Neotia. Read about the party here.

Street food favorites of few restaurateurs

What are the favorite street foods of few of our Kolkatan foodies and where do they go to get it ? Lets take a look.

Bengali canapes

Anjan Chatterjee of restaurant chain 'Oh Calcutta' and 'Mainland China' invents canapes using bengali ingredients.

Something to give you an idea for your next party:
Aam Achar Ilish Wrapped in Kumro Pata
Luchi with Kosha Mangsho
Gondhoraj Bhetki on Bread

Get the recipes here.

Sapo, a new Chinese restaurant has opened (Feb 2011)

Sapo (which means clay pot in Chinese), a 50-cover eatery, opened its doors in January at 16/4/1 Purna Das Road, near the Raymond showroom. Read about it here.

Kewpie restaurant turns 12 (Jan 2011)

The landmark restaurant serving bengali fare turned 12 years. Read about its story here.

Isfahan, new indo Iranian restaurant (Sep 2011)

A new 2,500sq ft restaurant serving Indo Iranian food has opened in Gariahat. Read about it here.

Ashoka, punjabi and tandoor place, some chinese too (Jul 2011)

Ashoka Restaurant and Bar at 3B serves tandoori fare, punjabi food, and some chinese. Read about it here.

Bengali quarterly magazine on art - SHILPA O SHILPI (Sep 2011)

Bengal Foundation of Dhaka has recently published the first issue of a slick Bengali magazine on the arts titled Shilpa O Shilpi, which covers the culture of both Bengals through articles, pictures and photographs with a degree of sophistication. Read about it here.

Road accidents: the rules

Here is an almanac of rules and procedures, when involved in a road accident.

Budget lunch restaurant serving bengali food

Suruchi is a restaurant run by a women’s co-operative, in 89, Elliot Road , Park Street, Kolkata. Timings: 10am-3pm, open for lunch only. Priced around Rs 110 and up.

Uncommon bengali sweet Daaber bhapa sandesh

Sandesh is the most typical bengali sweet made of basic fresh milk cheese. This sweet is translated as 'tender coconut' sandesh. It is made at home, and is not available in shops.

Daaber Bhapa Sandesh (10 SERVINGS)

Chhena, 1 kg
Rabri, 100 g
Coconut paste, 75 g
Powdered sugar, 325 g
Tender coconut cream paste, 350 g
Sour curd, 50 g
Tender coconut water, 100 ml
Flour, 50 g

In a steel mixing bowl, mash the chenna lightly to break the lumps. Add the rabri and powdered sugar and mix well. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well till combined. Check for sweetness. Line a baking tray with kitchen foil, pour the prepared mixture. Lightly tap the tray to get the trapped air out. Steam for 20 minutes or till a knife comes out clean. Remove and cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least a couple of hours to set the mixture. Cut and serve.

Taken from The Telegraph

Recipe corner (assorted festive common bengali recipes)

The festive season is upon us. Found some (90%) authentic bengali recipes, had to share.

Some new (renewed) restaurants in Kolkata

Casa Toscana is a renewed Italian restaurant opened in Sarat Chatterjee Avenue. You can get fresh, not frozen, mozarella here. Read about it here and here.

This is the party for the opening of the restaurant.

Homewares (steel junction)

Steel junction is a Tata enterprise retail store that stocks all kinds of homeware that is made of steel.

Sofa sets, dining tables, chairs, all kinds of kitchenware, clocks, lighting can be found in this large store.

Of note, designer table ware sets made by Karim Rashid, Philippe Starck for Magpie brand of tableware are all available under one roof. Check it out.

Muticuisine restaurant (Greek, mexican, thai, tandoori) in Ballygunge (Apr 2011)

A fusion food restaurant 'Ganges' has opened up where 'Taaja's' used to be, as an experiment in 2010. Read about it here.

Indian Designer wear store Brocade owned by designers Dev and Nil (may 2011)

A store stocking designs from Wendell Rodricks, Savio Jon, Narendra Kumar, Abhijit Khanna and others. Outfits for men and women available. Read about it here.

Spa for relaxation

I was pleased to find Thai massage spas have opened up in Kolkata. A great stress buster. Check out sawasdee spa. Prior bookings necessary.

Bengali sharbats you may not have heard of (May 2011)

I came across these recipes for uncommon bengali sharbats (cooling drinks) and had to share.

Sharmila Tagore completes 50 years in cinema (May 2011)

A summary of the life and career of West Bengal expat Sharmila Tagore in her own words.

Read the first part here and second part here

Like the restaurant Mainland China? Get the recipes

My favorite item in this restaurant is its Lemon Coriander Chicken Soup. I am pleased that this cookbook is out.

Some interesting articles on this book here and here. It should be available in your neighborhood bookstore. Else try here.

Here is an interview with the author.

Recipes featured in iconic tv show 'Benudir Rannaghar': where to get

Remember the iconic television cookery show Benudir Rannaghar (1998-2002) ? It was one of the better cooking shows that taught authentic classic recipes that have not been meddled with.

Well a book is out. You can get it here and here. It is available in Oxford bookstore as well, in the bengali section.

A taste of Kerala: The 10-item menu restaurant Ammini (Oct 2011)

Ammini is an authentic little place devoted totally to the cuisine of Kerala, the menu has just 10 select items on call. The unique thing about the restaurant is that it is totally driven by Ramani Menon, who trains her new recruits to cook exactly the way home cooking is done.

The fare at Ammini scores on all counts of authenticity, and impeccable taste in a 22-seater done in hues of brown and ochre, that is elegantly understated, but gives you the feel of Kerala.

Restaurant was opened around Oct 2011

Read about it here.

Nostradamus Pub / Lounge in Loudon Street (Nov 2011)

A quiet place to nurse your drink — the 50-seater lounge bar is reinventing itself from its low-key avatar by way of fun DIY cocktail sessions, live music and late hours, starting November 2011.

“We wanted to create an experience that is different from the standard nightclubs." explains Amitav Guha Thakurta, GM of the Loudon Street hotel that opened in December 2010.

Expect tables to be decorated with innovative ingredients that will go into the making of your drink. Tomatoes stuffed with garlic and pineapples dressed with chillies, that can be used to stir up a mean Bloody Mary (with vodka) or a Bloody Maria (with tequila).

Read all about it here.

Pun-jaab restaurant opened in Park Street (Oct 2011)

Punj-aab, a new north Indian restaurant has opened. It is housed inside Park Mansions off Park Street (opposite Mocambo).

The restaurant was opened sometime before Tuesday , October 18 , 2011.

Read about it here.