This summer is getting unbearable. And I am in desperate search for coolants, when my mother shares an interesting anecdote from her childhood, sometime spent at her grandfather#39;s palatial vacation villa at Berhampur, Ganjam district in Odisha. It#39;s about how the local family cooks used to relish #39;Pakhala bhata#39; or watered, fermented rice for breakfast at the peak of summers for its ultimate cooling effects. And later in my grandmother#39;s kitchen in posh south Calcutta how the Odia Bramhin cooks had the same dish with refinement and garnish, as their summer staple for almost all meals. Though my mother never tasted it, it set me on a research trail on the understated Odia cuisine. My search ends not very far at a speck of a restaurant called Dalma, at one of the restaurant blocks of Sector V, in Salt Lake City.
DÉCOR
Get some time in hand if unaware of this part of town, you#39;ll need it with the lack of names and signs at this so-called business district. But, the bright signage right at the end of the underlit longish stretch of office blocks catch our attention at once. We discover, the place is two years old and from a national chain of more than 5 restaurants. But frankly we have missed it in the past. The glow-sign and growing competition next door has actually helped. Inside, it is a slice of Odisha alright - not in the ordinary office furniture though. The Odia speaking service staff, few customers, traditional alpana or chalk art and the wall of framed movie posters celebrating 75 years of Odia cinema brings in quite a bit of feel and culture alright.
FOOD
If you are new to the cuisine you must ask for Biju or Bijoy for service, this young boy takes us through the meal with passionate interest explaining eating styles, regions, recipes and more. The menu is specific and simple, just like the cuisine. There are Dalma Pakhala Thali; Veg (Rs. 100) Non Veg (Rs. 150) for lunch. And dinner opens a wider choice of speciality dishes. We go a bit overboard, with apt suggestions from Biju: starting with Masala Pampad (Rs.25), Pakhala Bhata (Rs. 45) and Sada Bhata (Rs. 30), Dalma (Rs. 45), Chena Tarkari (Rs. 120), Chingudi Chhecha (Rs. 180), Mahurali Besara (Rs.120), Chingudi Tarkari (Rs.150), Kankada Tarkari (Rs. 150) and the tribal influenced Bamboo Mutton (Rs. 220).
PLUS MINUS
The food is home-style, delicately spiced and flavoursome. But the uniqueness lies in the minimum preparation and retaining maximum originality. The Pakhala Bhata is cooked rice, fermented in water overnight, served cold, mixed with curd and a tempering of dry red chilli, Curcuma Amada (Mango Ginger), curry leaves and roasted cumin powder on top. We have it with onions, green chilli and a squeeze of lemon. It soothes the heat and helps prevent dehydration. And goes perfectly well with the dry shrimp side of Chigudi Chhecha - turmeric marinated fresh baby shrimps, fried and roughly crushed with garlic, onion, green chilli in a stone mortar and pestle. The vegetarian - Dalma, split chick peas or lentil cooked with vegetables, pancha phutana or five spices and tempered with ghee and Chena Tarkari, cottage cheese in coriander-cumin gravy is very similar to the Bengali version - make a good beginning. The Mahurali Besara or fresh water Mourala in coarse mustard gravy is pleasantly striking with its delectable zing. The sweet water prawns (Chingudi) and the fleshy crab (Kankada) curry in onion-garlic gravy is thin, making it fun and enhancing natural tastes. The Bamboo mutton is artfully cooked to tenderness and highlights elegant spicing with a whiff of ghee. We end with the Kheeri (Rs.35) - a light rice pudding and the excellent Chhena Poda (Rs35), cottage cheese dipped in syrup and baked to delirious heights.
Critic reviews are anonymous and all bills are paid by them.
Here#39;s a chance to meet with like-minded peopel and discuss the pleasure of travelling as the Nomadic Clouds and Kolkata Bloggers brings to you Travellers Meet. The event will see some noted bloggers and speakers including Srivatsan Sankaran (Travel Photo-Blogger), Esha Chatterjee (Publisher), Anuradha Goyal (Travel Blogger) and Abhishek Chamaria (Social Media Strategist) among others discussing and sharing their travel experience.
Enjoy a musical evening with international band - Penn Masala at GD Birla Sabhaghar. The world’s first and premier South Asian A Cappella group, Penn Masala has performed for some of the popular names including A.R. Rahman, Sachin Tendulkar, Lakshmi Mittal and President Barack Obama to name a few. So book your seats and cath these musicians performing live and putting up a spectacular show.
Tickets available at the venue
As we celebrate the end of one year and the start of the next, some of us want a break from the stress of work and super-packed calendars. Don#39;t let the winter take a toll on your body and instead, use this time for leisure. A little bit of indulgence never hurt after all and these spa therapies will prove just that.
Ilakizhi @ Club Prana, Salt Lake
Native to Kerela, this treatment is apt during winters and helps you get rid of joint and muscular pain. The medicated leaves are boiled, dried, crushed and mixed with lemon. The mixture is then tied in a muslin cloth which is then used to massage the body to help loosen up those muscles. The Dhanvantari and Ksheerabala oil replenish your skin and their medicinal properties ensure that your joints are not stiff anymore.
Price: Rs 3,800/4,800
Timing: 7.30 am to 10.30 pm
Duration: 60/90 minutes
Honey And Youghurt Body Polish @ Solace Day Spa, Sunny Park
If you prefer natural remedies to pamper your skin, this honey and yoghurt body polish should fit the bill.. The yoghurt acts as a cleaning agent and honey is a natural moisturiser. The session begins with aromatherapy where you get an oil massage followed by exfoliation. You can choose from lavender, jasmine and rose oil among others. The yoghurt and honey are then applied to the body and the therapy also involves massaging pressure points.
Price: Rs 3,500
Timing: 7 am to 8 pm
Duration: 80 minutes
Hot Stone Therapy @ Sawasdee Namaste Spa, Sarat Bose Road
A hot stone therapy is just what your body needs to cope with the chilling winter. The hot stone oil massage relieves you of back and joint pains. The smooth basalt stones are heated and placed on your back. It’s then dipped in almond oil and used for a full body massage. The oil is rich in vitamin E and the stone has good iron content. The almond oil moisturises your skin, making it healthy, and basalt stone is known for its therapeutic properties. A perfect detox, this one.. Price: Rs 4,000
Timing: 7 am to 8 pm
Duration: 90 minutes
Avartana Therapy @ Aikya Spa, Salt Lake
This therapy is a combination of dry and oil massage, and is designed to improve the flow of oxygen, blood and energy in your body. After some gentle stretches and a reflexology session, you will be given a hot oil massage. You can choose from rose, green apple and sandalwood oil; these are not only aromatic but also help calm your senses.
Price: Rs 3,800
Timing: 11 am to 9 pm
Duration: 90 minutes
The city’s glitterati gathered at the ITC Sonar for the much awaited Times Food and Nightlife Awards 2016 in association with PepperTap and powered by What’s Hot. From the city’s socialites to the who’s who of Tollywood – everyone was present at the event. The evening was all about the best of the city’s FB scene and of course, the winners dominating the culinary industry.
The evening started with Mir Afsar Ali taking on the stage as the emcee for the evening. He kept the audience entertained with his witty one liners and antics, not even sparing Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who was the chief guest for the evening. The TFNA guide, authored by Salmoli Mukerji, was launched by the heartthrob of Tollywood – Abir Chatterjee. And what followed was a series of awards given to top restaurants and nightlife spots in their respective categories.
This year, there were new categories added to the list of worthy award winners that recognise people behind the scene. These included Best Restaurateur of the Year, Best Chef of the Year and Best Bartender of the Year. These were conferred to Naveen Pai of Hashtagwaale and Pai’s Malgudi, Joymaya Banerjee of Bohemian, and Arghya Acharya of M Bar Kitchen. The eagerly awaited Noteworthy Newcomer went to Café 4/1 for vegetarian and Spice Kraft for world cuisine.
The food stalls by various winning outles is what everyone looks forward to the most and guests were seen indulging in their favourite cuisines from the likes of Café Mezzuna, Dumpukht, Bhojohori Manna, The Bikers Café, Rahmania, and Spaghetti Kitchen among others. Those wanting a sugar rush flocked to Balaram Mullick and Radharam Mullick and Little Pleasures. Not to forget the drinks section with cocktails an by The Irish House, Myx and The Factory Outlet.
Watch out for the Pune and Jaipur awards next and check out #TFNA2016 on Twitter to win passes for your city!
For a full list of award winners, click here
As the year end festivities are over, start 2016 with new adventures. Go off the beaten path and sail into the sunset as you explore the hidden gems of our city. From mangrove forests and heritage sites to erstwhile colonies, we#39;ve rounded up 4 options to get you cruising!
COLONIES OF BENGAL
Parts of Bengal were once colonies of French, Dutch and English, and what better way to peek into the past than to take off on a cruise. Get on board at Central Kolkata and sail up to the Danish colony of Serampore in Hooghly district. Earlier known as Frederiksnagore, this place is home to many temples built in the 18th century. Make a stop at Chisura and explore its Dutch settlements. While you’re here, don’t forget to visit the the famous Bandel Church and Hooghly Imambara. Other places on the itinerary are Kalna, known for its enigmatic terracotta temples and Chandennagore known as the French colony of Bengal. The journey contines covering places such as Mayapur, Matiari, Murshidabad and Farakka. This entire trip takes a good 8 days to complete but is an experience of a lifetime.
Price: Starting from Rs 13,000 per person
Duration: 7 nights and 8 days
For more info, click here
GHATS
Like Varanasi, Bengal too is bordered with ghats along the riverside. The state has 54 ghats where several rituals and ceremonies are performed. One of the popular attractions is the Belur Math which is where the headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission is situated. Your trip to this place is incomplete without a visit to the Sri Ramakrishna Temple, Ramakrishna Museum, Swami Vivekananda Temple and Samadhi Enclosure. Take the morning cruise to soak in the serenity of the ghats sans the bustling crowds. If you want to be a part of the Sandhya Aarti, hop on the evening cruise and enjoy a breath-taking sunset along the Hooghly River.
Price: Starting from Rs 1,046 per person
Duration: 3 hours
For more info, click here
FOREST
Land amidst the largest mangrove forests of Sunderbans and embark on an adventurous boat ride through the jungle. It leaves from the Kolkata Ghats and takes you through Namkhana, Bhagabatpur, Lothian Island, Netidhopani , Dobanki , Sudhanyakhali, Sajnekhali and Bali Village near Sunderbans. One can take a walk through the forest, visit temples in the region and spot animals in their natural habitat. Navigating your way through the Sundari trees and shrubs on either side of the river can be a great experience. The place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so we’re sure a journey here will certainly be worth your time.
Price: Starting from Rs 24,000 per person
Duration: 3 nights and 4 days
For more info, click here
ROYAL BENGAL
The Murshidabad district is associated with the royal era of Bengal. The area is home to some beautiful palaces and is well connected with the city. But exploring the area on a cruise is bound to be a unique experience. This cruise starts from Kolkata and crosses the districts of Kalna and Matiari before reaching Murshidabad. The grandeur of Hazarduari Palace located in the premises of Nizamat Fort is awe-inspiring. Some of the other sites to visit include Nizamat Imambara, Khushbagh Cemetery and Katra Mosque to name a few. The journey, however, doesn’t end here. The 6-day cruise ends at Farakka where the 16.5 km barrage built across the Ganges stands.
Price: Starting from Rs 3,13,000
Duration: 5 nights and 6 days
For more info, click here
It’s not easy to keep the young ones engaged and entertained. What do you do besides take them out for a meal or a movie? Thankfully, you have plenty of options in Kolkata. From soaking in history to helping them learn new things – here are some options that are a must for kids and well, the kid in you in 2016.
Science City, EM Bypass
A place for curious minds, Science City offers a sneak peek into the fun world of science. There are different sections dedicated to various aspects of humankind, so you can learn about the Iron and Stone Age at the evolution park or get to know more about life beneath the ocean at the maritime centre. The space theatre is a must visit as it gives a sneak peek into our universe and you can also enjoy 3D shows based on planets, solar systems and other celestial bodies. Don’t forget to experience a ride on the motion stimulator called Time Machine.
Entry: Rs 40 per person
Timings: 9 am to 8 pm (open till 9 pm from April to September)
Eco Tourism Park, Rajarhat
The relatively new 480 acres park overlooking a water body has a breathtaking view, especially during sunset. And there’s so much to do here than just a picnic. Zorbing on the water can definitely be fun, plus there are kayak, boats and steamer rides as well. For those who prefer being on land, we suggest renting a tandem bicycle. You can also take your badminton sets or frisbee and spend time playing outdoors with your family and friends. Conclude your day with some refreshments at the food stalls inside the park including the Tea Trove, which is known for its wide varieties of tea and snacks. With so much to do, plan your day well before heading out.
Entry: Rs 20 per person
Timings: 2 pm to 8pm (Tuesday to Saturday), Noon to 8 pm (Sunday), closed on Mondays
Nicco Park, Salt Lake
No matter how many times you may have visited Nicco Park before, it’s difficult to get enough of this place. The city’s only amusement park is the one place we all love to pay a visit to. From striking cars, flying discs to the traditional merry-go-round – it’s all about having fun. Apart from the rides, there’s also a food court that serves everything from a light sandwich to regional food such as dosa, pav bhaji and more. If you want to explore but are too tired to walk, there are toy trains and cable cars to take you around
Entry: Rs 200 per person
Timings: 10 am to 8 pm
Timezone, Prince Anwar Shah Road
Who doesn’t love video games, right? This new age game parlour has all the gaming options apart from a bowling alley and mini striking car arena. Try your hand at a game of air hockey or test your driving skills with their car and bike racing games. There are shooting games, strategy games and sports-oriented games as well. With so much to choose from, it will not be difficult task to spend hours trying the different tech-entertainment options.
Entry: Free with Rs 20/30 per token for games
Timings: 11 am to 10 pm
We’ve all made our secret little resolutions already and if dressing better tops your list, then this guide is for you. From quirky prints to retro style suits – with classic styles making a comeback in 2016, here are a few options to check out for bespoke tailoring and that elusive perfect outfit.
SASYA
Spread across four floors with the top two dedicated to men, this store offers a diverse range of clothing options. The third floor has a wide range of suits, Nehru jackets, waistcoats and shoes. Move on to the fourth floor where you get customised clothing, and can play with luxury fabrics by David and John Anderson, Scabal, Ermenegildo Zegna, S.I.C Tess and Thomas Mason among others. There are different cufflinks with alphabets, stones and even designs inspired by your favourite sports such as football and cricket. Starting from a simple pair of shirts and trousers to classy suits and Indo-Western clothes, there are sufficient choices for people with different styles and fashion ethics. Do try the various cheque fabrics perfect for a three-piece suits.
Good For: Smart Casuals
Where: 23A, Shakespeare Sarani
Timings: 11 am to 8 pm
Contact: 033-22892323
SURBHI PANSARI
A playful mix of colours, cuts and silhouettes defines this brand. Surbhi, who has showcased her collections in Kolkata Fashion Week and Kolkata Design Week, has gone all out to offer with this flagship store. Opt for the moustache print Nehru jacket that goes well with a pair of denims or go for linen for a formal avatar. The dual-fabric blazers and jackets stand out with plain textures on the outside and floral prints on the inside. They recently launched a wedding range as well and have a lot of enticing colours that are paired with fine embroideries and designs. The store has a wide variety of brooches to go with traditional attire, and the bespoke tailoring section is ideal for custom fit suits.
Good For: Indian Wear
Where: 12, Loudon Street
Timings: 10.30 am to 8.30 pm
Contact: 033-40648232
SOOD
Once known as Burlignton’s, Sood is all about aesthetic menswear. The in-house designer and the man behind it all is Ratul Sood, and his creations are about attention to detail and use of premium fabrics. You can order for tailored suits, trousers, shirts, traditional bandgalas and sherwanis with embroideries on ethnic wear as well as Indo-Western outfits done by local artisans. For suits, their international range includes Loro Piana, Vitale Barberis Canonico, Reda and Dormeuil. Be it simple suits or embellished ethnic wear, the choices here are aplenty.
Good For: Party Wear
Where: 43, Park Mansions, Park Street
Timings: 10 am to 8.30 pm
Contact: 033-64500887
TAILORMAN
This bespoke tailoring shop puts emphasis on carefree casual shirts and English style three-piece suits. And to match that, there are classics like pockets squares, bow-ties and cummerbunds in abundance. The company has recently forayed into traditional wear with subtle designs. Before ordering something for yourself, you can choose a fabric that matches your style and comfort from the likes of Giza Cotton, Merino Wool, Irish Linens and other blends. Their team of experts provide various fits to make sure you get a garment as you’re your body size and type. The suits can be tailored with different lapel styles as well. Go for a narrow notch style for a dinner jacket, peak lapel for a formal occasion or a shawl lapel for a casual outing.
Good For: Formal Attire
Where: 42-A, Ground Floor, Shakespeare Sarani
Timings: 11.30 am to 8.30 pm
Contact: 033-40083213
Tantra is back with the 8th edition of Headroom and this time there will be an impressive line-up of DJs belting out chartbusters. Head to the venue for an evening of fun and frolic as you sway to the musical tunes and enjoy the food and drinks on offer. The spinmasters who will be palying at the Headroom party include names like DJs Rudra, Kabira, Chandrama, Pratik, Priyanka and Aaditya among others.
Academy of Fine Arts brings to you a solo exhibition by Sanjeev Jassal. The photographs on dispaly gives a glimpse of the wild life that has been beautifully captured by the Sanjeev, who has clickek numerous pictures of the flora and fauna in the wilderness of bengal.
Entry: Free
Gallery Gold presents exhibition of photography by Suthirta Basu. He is a city based photographer and is known for his professional and creative photography services for wedding and fashion. The pictures on display given a sneak peek into his work and hisjourney as photographer over the years.
Entry: Free
Head to Rabindra Sadan and enjoy the evening listening to the evergreen hits of Manna Dey as the venue hosts Pagol Tomar Janno Je - a special programme on Manna Dey melodies. The event will geature high octane performances by noted singers such as Monomoy Bhattacharjee, Haimanti Sukla, Indrani Sen, Shibaji Chattopadhyay, Babul Supriyo, Saikat Mitra and Rupankar among others.
Tickets available at the venue.
The Blu Banana will transform into a batcave and screen Batman movies all day long to celebrate the World Batman Day. Guests can roder special combo and dishes available on that days and includes Gotham Burger, Robin Roasties, Knight Cola, Bane Bytes and Badpod Puff among others.
Note: Dishes are individually priced.
Welcome the weekend in style and spend your evening with high octane music at Beer Republic and Frost Lounge as the venue presents Friday night with party with DJ Akash. Enjoy the evening with your friends and spend a weekend with pulsating music, dance and drinks. Akash Rohira is one of the well-known DJs from Kolkata of known for his unique musical madness. This weekend he will be belting out exclusive commercial and Bollywood remixes.
Directed by : Goutam Halder
Raktakarabi is a Bengali play which lays emphasis on the fact that with time the importance of money and greed has become an inevitable part of a normal human life. People always give priority to money over relations and love. The main character of the play, Nandini too is an individual who falls in love with Ranjan but she is let down by the difficult situations and circumstances that arises in her life.
Tickets: Rs 200
Tickets available on Explara.in
Directed by: Tapanjyoti Das
Written by: Amit Maitra
Cast: Sanjib Sarkar, Tapanjyoti Das, Debshanker Halder, Senjuti Mukherjee and Shyamashis
Dharmashok is a Bengali play that narrates the tale of the restless time in Indian history. It is a story abput bloodshed, love, lust, affairs and more on the banks of river Daya that decide the fate of many. It shows a conflict between love and interests during the time of the mighty king Ashoka, queen Tishya, and prince Kunal. This situation of disharmony is further worsened by the conspiring minister, Yougandhrayan.
Tickets: Rs 200
Tickets available on Explara.in
Directed by: Poulomi Bose
Cast: Soumitra Chatterjee, Anirban Chakraborty, Debnath Chatterjee, Debshankar Halder, Poulomi Bose, Subrata Samajdar and Debdas Ghosh
Phera is a Bengali paly based on #39;The Visit#39; by Freidrich Durrrenmatt. The story revolves around Pratima Singha who returns to her native village after 30 years. The place is poverty stricken and is running on aid provided by the governement. She decides to help her village people but keeps a condition before them. The villagers initially hesitate and are angry on hearing the proposal but succumb to her demand. Towards the end Kashinath is killed by the village people and Pratima also kills herself thus taking her revenge.
Tickets: Rs 200
Tickets available on Explara.in
Directed by: Meghnad Bhattacharya
Playwright : Ujjal Chattapadhyay
Passing Show is a Bengali play based on the story of Amar Mitra and revolves around Atin, a man who is constantly searching for the reminiscent of the pasts. Ghulam Mohammad is the man who can take a person from present to the past era by simply shaking hands. The play emphasises on the fact that everything remains immortal in the aesthetic space of creation.
Tickets: Rs 200
Tickets available on Explara.in
Chef Joymalya Benerjee is one of the few chefs in town who has been known to give the regular a miss and concoct interesting cuisines instead. His restaurant, Bohemian, has a strong following among the city’s food lovers and the chef has also been awarded for his work at the Times Food and Nightlife Awards 2016. Here are excerpts from an interview where he talks about his love for food and what he likes to indulge in on his time off.
WH: When did you know you want to be a chef?
Joy: My first kitchen experience was at the age of five, but it’s difficult to recall when was the first time I decided to be a chef. Imtiaz Qureshi has always been my idol from a very early age and when I was in 9th standard, I was determined to follow his footsteps.
WH: What was the first thing you ever cooked?
Joy: It was a Bengali fish curry and rice. Though I did not know any particular recipe or ingredients, so I made something with fish and vegetables. Initially, my mother became angry but later praised me for my effort.
WH: What do you love most about your job?
Joy: Being a chef isn’t a job for me, it’s worship since cooking for me is a spiritual process. The ability to create something new and take on new challenges keeps me motivated and passionate about cooking.
WH: What do you usually eat on a normal day?
Joy: I love to eat and relish all kinds of food. I usually prefer flavourful but delicate dishes cooked with love and care, and it’s difficult for me to have a meal that does’t include anything non-vegetarian, Breakfast and dinner are usually at home and lunch is mostly at the restaurant. For breakfast, I opt for oats and fruits while lunch comprises of stew with some meat and veggies. Dinner is all about chapatis, two kinds of veggies and any non-veg dish.
WH: What ingredients will we always find in your kitchen?
Joy: One can always find gondhoraj lemons, cumin, radhuni and chillies of various kinds in my kitchen. I personally love bhoot jalokia chilli.
WH: What cuisine do you like to cook for friends when they come home for dinner?
Joy: I always cook a lavish meal for my friends with the cuisine always being in my signature style. Every year during monsoon though, I get a lot of ilish from Bangladesh and prepare a completely over the top lunch with atleast 7 different dishes for my guests.
WH: What will you cook if you had only 30 minutes?
Joy: I like simple cooking, but it must have different layers of flavours. Fish is one of my favourites, so I will make a fish with some drumsticks, cucumber, coconut milk and gondhoraj leaves.
WH: Any food memories from your travels?
Joy: Whenever and wherever I travel, I do my research and take suggestions from friends I consider connoisseurs. While travelling, I go all out on local fare. Just last year, I was on a trip from Delhi to Amritsar with some friends, and we gorged on makki roti, sarson saag and butter in a village nearby. Every ingredient used was homemade and it was absolutely amazing.
WH: Best dining companions?
Joy: Since food is my life, whenever I eat out I order a minimum six to eight dishes that I obviously can’t eat alone, so I make it a point to invite atleast a couple of my friends to join me.
WH: Favourite restaurants in the city/across the globe?
Joy: Unfortunately, I do not have a favourite restaurant in Kolkata. However, the puchhka at Vivekananda Park Kolkata definitely finds a place on my list. My best meals till date have been at the French Laundry in Napa, California and Alinea in Chicago. I would love to visit Fat Duck, Arzak and DOM. In India, I love Bukhara in Delhi for its kebabs and Ashok Ashok for the non-vegetarian signatures. In Mumbai, there’s Trishna and Fresh Catch for seafood.
For more such interviews, click here.
