6 Ballygunge Place

Hey folks,

Hope you all are doing fine. The weather is perfectly rainy (that is if you are fond of monsoons) and it is just the perfect time to go for a sumptuous lunch. Well, I chose 6 Ballygunge Place and I went there with my parents. Bengali cuisine is something that even most non-Bengalis like and 6 Ballygunge Place is a heaven for Bengali culinary delights. The name is nothing new to anyone who is from Kolkata as the place is considered as one of the best legendary restaurants in the city.

Location

6 Ballygunge Place, as the name clearly states, is located at Ballygunge Place and is very well accessible by all public transports. The restaurant can also be easily spotted. The place is located at just a walking distance from the Ballygunge Phari bus stop. The place is not really in close proximity to any of the metro stations but if you want to know anyway, then Jatin Das Park is the nearest metro but you’ll eventually have to take something else from there.

Ambience

The place has a traditional Bengali touch to it which is evident from these pictures. I particularly loved their decor, especially the way they created a perfect reflection of Bengali culture. They have a banquet hall too which you can book for special events. And they have separate rooms of buffet and a la carte menu. There is something that I would want to say over here. If you are willing to go for the signature dishes or the special dishes, then you should preferably go for the a la carte because the buffet doesn’t include everything they have on the menu. But you can also check it for yourself once you reach the place.

Food

No matter how much I appreciate the food of this place, it will never be enough. I personally love Bengali food, and if you love it too, then you will definitely love this place. If you see the menu given on Zomato you will get confused so I will advise you to look up the menu on their own website. I have included the link over here for you:

6 Ballygunge Place

Here you will get the full range of menu exactly as given on their menu card.

From the starters we ordered the Murshidabadi Grill Pomfret (Rs 250). Now I am a person who loves fish but then I don’t like the ones which have too many bones in them. XD And from that point of view pomfret is my favorite fish and I totally loved this dish as well. The aroma was amazing and the grill was just perfect.

Murshidabadi Grill Pomfret

Once you turn the page of your menu to the main course section, you will see that the menu is divided under subheads like prawns, crab, bhetki, rohu and so on. Well, their hilsa or ilish is quite famous but then again as I told you I am not a fan of too many bones (although I love ilish when Ma takes the trouble of separating the bones for me), we didn’t go for it. We ordered Dab Chingri (Rs 525) which is again one of their signature dishes. The amount served is enough for three people. The specialty of this dish is that the prawns are roasted inside of a tender coconut which lends it a special aroma. You must definitely try this dish if you happen to visit 6 Ballygunge Place.

We also ordered Kasha Mangsho (Rs 440) from the Mutton section of the menu. We had ordered this on their recommendation as they said that this is also a specialty of theirs. But to be honest I didn’t find it that much special maybe because I love the way the Awadhi mutton is cooked and I love that more. But anyways, you can give it a go if you want but I felt it was more or less like any other Kasha Mangsho I have ever had. And it is a bit spicy too. We ordered one Radhaballavi (Rs 25 each) especially because I love any meat recipes with some kind of bread and you have to believe me when I say it, their Radhaballavi is huge and not like the ones we usually eat. So for Rs 25, I’d say that’s a lot. You’ll definitely figure that out from the picture below.

Dab Chingri, Kasha Mangsho and Radhaballavi

We ordered Moori Ghonto (Rs 190) too and this is a traditional Bengali recipe that is made with the head of fish, rice and they had also given potatoes. The fish that was used here was Rohu or Rui. And from the rice section, we ordered two Kaju Kismis Pulao (Rs 215) and it was enough for three people. The pulao has a sweet flavour and we personally love that so we went for it but if you don’t want a sweetish dish you can go for their other rice dishes.

Kaju Kismis Pulao and Moori Ghonto

Well, this was the first time that I was so much immersed in all those tasty recipes that I completely forgot to take the Pulao’s picture separately so I guess you all have to do with just this one. In the end, we ordered the Chutney of the Day (Rs 85) and it was a tomato chutney with raisins and dates. One chutney is enough for three to four people. But then again, I forgot to take a picture of this too. Once you are finished they will also give you a bowl of hot water to wash your hands in.

In short, if you are planning for a lunch date with your family or friends, you can choose 6 Ballygunge Place without any doubt.

Pros

• The menu has a wide variety of dishes for both veg and non-veg.
• The food tastes delicious.
• The price is not too high as is the case with most legendary places.
• The quantity of food is beyond any doubt enough.
• The behavior of the staffs is very welcoming.

Cons

Well from my experience, there was none.

Summary

Food Quality – 5/5

Food Quantity – 5/5

Ambience – 5/5

Hospitality – 5/5

Price – 5/5

You might feel that I am exaggerating with the ratings, but if you visit the place anytime later, you’ll know why I feel that everything is perfect.

Do let me know about your experiences and comment down below.

– Susweta.

The Irish House

I had recently visited The Irish House at the Quest Mall and I cannot wait to share my experience with you all. Like many restaurants and pubs, you cannot use a DSLR camera to click pictures of the interiors but yes, food photography is allowed. So, I have been able to capture some pictures both with my camera and my phone so that you all can get a clear idea of what you will be getting.

Location

The place is located on the 5th floor of Quest Mall. As you may already know that Quest Mall is easily accessible since it is located just a few steps away from the Park Circus 7-point crossing and so no matter from where you are coming, you will not find it a hard time to reach Quest Mall.

Ambience

If you are a music lover, then this place will be heaven for you. I visited the placed during the Happy Hours ( which run from 4pm to 7pm on all days) and it was not too crowded (but I have heard from others that it can get really crowded at times). The seating arrangement of the place has got a very casual flow about it. The one-liners on the walls are quirky. And the lighting makes everything just perfect. If you haven’t yet formed an image, then this one down below might just help you out.

Well, this is only a part of it and the rest is even better but unfortunately, I do not have a picture of it.

Food

Now, if you are someone who wants to grab some real offers on drinks, then you should definitely visit the place during Happy Hours because you will get a 1+1 offer on all drinks. At first, I ordered a Classic Mojito (Rs 400) which had fresh lime, mint leaves and Bacardi and on the top crushed ice was given. It was good but not something other-worldly.

Classic Mojito

From the starters, I ordered the Cheese Burst Chicken (Rs 345) and a Pail of Popcorn – Chicken (Rs 295). The Cheese Burst Chicken was served with garlic fries and the chicken pops were really full of cheese as the name suggests. There were a total of 5 pieces and I totally loved them. The popcorns were more than enough and I bet you will not have any complaints regarding the quantity. The popcorns were served with a BBQ dip. I ordered the chicken one but they also have a prawn variant.

Pail of Popcorn (Chicken)

Cheese Burst Chicken

Now, there is one thing that I totally loved about their menu is that they have fries with almost everything and fries are my favorites. But if you hate garlic like me, it will be better for you to check the menu in detail because they mostly serve garlic fries. Anyways, they have a separate fried section in their menu and from there I ordered a dish called Minced Up (Rs 375). This dish had chicken, cheddar, fried onion, boiled eggs and of course FRIES. All of these ingredients were (as the name suggests) minced up.

Minced Up

Pros

• The menu has a lot of variations both for drinks and the food.
• The music is just too good.
• Staff behavior is extremely polite.
• Perfect for an evening with friends.
• Happy hours will give you 1+1 on drinks.

Cons

• Food taste can be better.

Summary

Food Quality – 4/5

Food Quantity – 5/5

Ambience – 5/5

Hospitality – 5/5

Price – 4/5

If you have any further questions about the place, do comment down below. Till then, take care and I will be back with a review of another interesting place.

4 Best Sweet Shops in North Kolkata That You Must Definitely Visit

Hi everyone, hope you all are doing well (especially with this unbearable heat). Well, we definitely have a sweet tooth and that is what made us write this post. As for me, I’m ready to go to every corner of Kolkata for satiating my sweet cravings. And Kolkata is all about ‘mishti’ with so many different types. So, we decided to list our favourite sweet shops in North Kolkata that you must definitely try out.

1. Girish Chandra Dey and Nakur Chandra Nandy

All of you who stay in Kolkata are already aware of this legendary sweet shop and if you don’t already know about it, then here is a sneak peek into its history. The shop was established in 1844 (that is definitely quite a long time back) and the shop has been consistent in its quality of sweets since then and has always been one of the best sweet shops in Kolkata. The best thing that we love about this shop is that they not only specialize in making the traditional Bengali sweets but they also master the art of making some of the best fusion sweets. So, if you are a sweet aficionado like us, then you should definitely visit the place. Just get down at Ramdulal Sarkar Street (if you are coming by bus or auto) and keep walking along the lane which is just adjacent to Bethune College. There are many sweet shops and this one is the last in that row. The exact address is given below for your convenience.

One of our favourite sweets from this shop is the ‘Butter Scotch Malai Roll‘. If you happen to visit the shop in summers then the ‘Mango Malai Roll’ is a must try as well. The Malai Roll is available in other flavours as well and each of them will cost you Rs 25 only. If you are looking for something that is light and not too much sugary, then you can try the ‘Golapi Pera’. 

 

Butter Scotch Malai Roll

 

Address – 56, Ramdulal Sarkar Street, Hedua Park, Hatibagan, Kolkata

2. Nalin Chandra Das and Sons

Nalin Chandra Das and Sons is very popular for its ‘Rosogolla’.  But I always buy their ‘Mishti Doi’ whenever I visit the place. It is just amazing and the perfect dessert for the scorching heat in Kolkata. It is priced at Rs 220 per kg. Although you can get 100g and 500g containers at all times but to order the 1 kg one, you will have to pre-order it. Among the sweets, the ‘Choco Delight’ is a must try. The best part about it is that there are four cubes of Dairy Milk on the top layer of this sweet (okay I feel like I want one right now). It will cost you Rs 35. They are over 175 years old and their karapak sandesh are too good. Their shop is located at many places all over Kolkata. The one we visited is in Ramdulal Sarkar Street just a few shops from Girish Chandra Dey and Nakur Chandra Nandy. The others are in New Town, Rabindra Sarani and Rashbehari.

 

Choco Delight

 

Address – 57, Ramdulal Sarkar Street, Near Hedua Park, Hatibagan, Kolkata

3. Chittaranjan Mistanna Bhandar

This legendary sweet shop is located near the Lal Mandir in Shobha Bazaar. You can reach the area by bus or you can also avail the metro as it is just 2-3 minutes from the Shobha Bazaar Metro Station. Well, if you read other reviews they will probably ask you to go for their ‘Rosogolla’ (which is insanely good) but our personal favourite is their ‘Keshar Malai Sandesh’ which will cost you Rs 15 only. The sweet is topped with fresh green pistachios and has a light flavour. If you are anywhere in this area, trust me, you can definitely try out the sweets.

 

Keshar Malai Sandesh

Address – 34B, Shobha Bazar Street, Near Lal Mandir, Shobha Bazar, Kolkata

 

4. Nobin Chandra Das and Sons

Nobin Chandra Das was the person who invented this spongy sweet and every Bengali is mad about – ‘Rosogolla’. Their Rosogollas are the best in town. You can get them from this shop or the K.C. Das outlet located in multiple areas in Kolkata. The Rosogollas are available in Kesar flavour as well and they are too yum. From the other sweets, we love the ‘Rossomalancha’ which will cost you Rs 20 per piece. This shop lies even closer to the Shobha Bazaar Metro Station and is just a few metres ahead of Lal Mandir.

 

Rossomalancha

 

Address – 77, Jatindra Mohan Avenue, Shobha Bazar, Kolkata

Well, next time you are feeling low or you are having sweet cravings (which I happen to have at all times), you can definitely visit these shops and you will not regret it.

Take Care. 🙂

क Local – Calcutta’s Favourite Local

Hi everyone,

Hope you all are doing fine. Well, with the summer heat pouring in, Kolkata has definitely entered the days when all that you love is a glass of refreshing mocktail or the perfect flavour of ice cream (for me it has always been and always will be ICE CREAM). So this Thursday, we decided to pay a visit to this newly opened restaurant in Kolkata which has been named क Local. 

Location

क Local is located in City Centre precisely on the 3rd floor of Block C. Once you take the elevator from Block C, you will see the entrance to the restaurant right in front of you on coming out of the elevator. We were greeted by a very kind person from among the staff members of the restaurant and he took us up the stairs to the main entrance of the place.

Ambience

Kolkata has some legendary local transports like the tram and the yellow taxi and a glimpse of either of the two will bring you back thousands of memories in the City of Joy. The entire theme of the place suggests how interspersed it is with the aspects of Kolkata. You will fall in love with the ambience even before entering through the door. There you will see a 3D structure of a yellow taxi with a graffiti on the wall. This is the perfect spot for taking some Insta-worthy pictures when you visit the restaurant.

There is a small corridor between the main area of the restaurant and the entrance gate. This corridor is decorated with colourful lights and is a real treat to the eyes. Once we entered the main area, we were greeted by a person (whose name was Goutam which we came to know later on). This area has both low and high chairs and you can choose to sit on whichever you are comfortable with.

There is also an outdoor seating option for those who prefer the breezy atmosphere. We went there around 5:30 pm so daylight was still there. But if you visit this place in the evening you will love the lighting outdoors. And there is a separate dance floor too with an in-house DJ.

As far as we are concerned, we completely loved the decor of the place.

Food

There are three types of menu, one is the bar menu although they serve mocktails only, for now, second is the food menu and third is the hookah. From the mocktails, we ordered one Fusion and a क Local Punch. The Fusion is the perfect palette of pineapple juice, cranberry, lemonade, strawberry and mint leaves. The क Local Punch cucumber, coconut water, lime juice and mint. The taste was more or less like virgin mojito so if you want to try something new then don’t go for this. On the other hand, Fusion is quite good.

क Local Punch

Fusion

The coasters had a specialty too. Each one of them was inscribed with a common Bengali phrase.

From starters, we ordered Panco Coated Butterfly Prawns and Chef’s Special Thyme Crusted Chicken Kebab. The prawns were very light and it was served with a sweet chilli dip in a margarita glass. The chicken kebab was too delicious and is served with mayo. A papad was also served with the kebab. This is one of their special dishes and is a must try.

Panco Coated Butterfly Prawns

Chef’s Special Thyme Crusted Chicken Kebab

In the main course, we had Murge Makhanwala with Naan. The Murge Makhanwala was a bit salty otherwise it was good with boneless chicken pieces marinated in butter and red tomato gravy. They served it with a basket full of papads.

Murge Makhanwala and Naan

Goutam, the person who served us all the meals, had a very welcoming attitude and he even willingly posed for use.

Pros

• The ambience is top notch.
• The quantity of food is sufficient.
• Good hospitality.
• The music is too good.
• Food presentation is excellent.

Cons

We couldn’t think of any other con except that the rooftop space is quite small but anyways it looks cute and cozy and perfect for smaller gatherings.

Summary

Food Quality – 4.5/5

Food Quantity – 5/5

Food Presentation – 5/5

Ambience – 5/5

Hospitality – 5/5

Price – 5/5

In short, we would definitely recommend you to visit this restaurant. It is quite affordable and it would cost around Rs 1200-1500 for two for a standard meal. The best time to visit this place would be in the evening although you can go for a lunch too.

Share with us your experience of dining here and do leave your comments below. We will return soon with something new.

– Susweta.