The September Newsmakers

It is that time of the year in Kolkata when the entire city gears up to the biggest annual carnival called Durga Puja. As food and eating out is an integral part of any celebration, Durga puja is no different. Although officially Durga Puja starts from the 6th day of Navratra, but the feeling of festivities starts earlier than that and city restaurants start gearing up for the same. Since most of the annual targets are met by the sales of these 4 days, there is an intense competition between all the eating joints to rope in maximum sales. Preparations start earlier though. Opening of new outlets, revamping the menu, changing the décor; everything starts a month earlier to lure the customers.

Continuing this tradition, The Biker’s Cafe on the first floor of Platinum Mall on Elgin Road has introduced some of the new items such as angels in egg womb which are boiled egg whites filled with assorted vegetables and cheese, there are new dips in the Mediterranean mezze platter and some omlette options for the breakfast menu which has already made this place famous. Mrs. Magpie, the now famous café on Southern Avenue has introduced ‘Low’ tea buffet. It is a buffet which comprises of three cheese vol au vent or the little puff pastries filled with cream cheese, blue cheese and gouda, various scones of cheese, blueberry and raisins and definitely the legendary cupcakes. On the savoury part, they have mushroom quiche, chilli cheese tartini, potato salad, devilled eggs and much more. With a pocket pinch of Rs 325 plus taxes for the vegetarians and 375 plus taxes for the non vegetarians, this is worth trying out.

Who would have thought that a reputed restaurant coffee shop will launch a kid’s menu? Hotel Hindustan International just did that. At Mythh the coffee shop, they have introduced burgers, sandwiches, pizza, pasta and fun desserts in a new way which has dishes such as Chota Bheem club sandwich, power of Shaktiman noodles, Doraemon's special mini burger and much more. Non spicy and made with healthy items, one can also try the ninja technique or the three-layer pan cake with chocolate, ricotta and mascarpone filling which is a superhit with the kids.

When kids come in, The Tiffin cannot be far behind. Many moms spent sleepless nights with what to offer for the tiffin, however when a two storey eating joint opened up in Topsia beside Vishwakarma building with named Tiffin, many eyebrows were raised. The Ambuja Neotia venture has a non AC ground floor with self service where the pocket pinch is less while the first floor has a very casual set up which makes one feel instantly comfortable. The restaurant serves popular office finger foods during the day time from 9 am to 7 pm such as phulkopir singara, Mughlai paratha, various rolls and one of the famous street foods of Dalhouise, the bread and butter toast with either sugar or crushed pepper sprinkled on it. While for lunch one can pick up from Niramish (vegetarian) and amish thali (Non vegetarian) from noon to 3.30 in the evening, from 7 pm onwards the place turns into a dhaba and serves as they call it – the Indian shack food cuisine. 

The first ten days of October will see Kolkata getting emerged in festivities and here is wishing you all a very Happy Durga Puja and Navratri.