In general, at Poila Boishakh (the first day of the Bengali New Year), I like to go into a food coma by indulging in a plethora of traditional Bengali food. But in general now people are always excited about English New Year and New Year’s Eve parties but when it comes to the Bengali New Year, half of them can’t even tell you which Bengali year it is. Let us not get involved in this sad state of affairs or any debate about how we should be proud to be Bangladeshi. For the sake of this article on food, let’s just focus on what Bengali people love to do the most, which is to eat and drink. This intention of ‘bhuri bhoj’ is mainly emphasized on two occasions – during Pujas and during Bengali New Year (probably most of the year if there is some kind of excuse or sponsor)! So, this Bengali New Year or Nabo Barsho, hotels and restaurants of all kinds are trying to make every Bong weak in the knees by offering well-curated Bengali menus (preferably hearty Bengali Thali)! Most of the time this menu will run for 2-3 days which I guess is reasonable. What’s more, because Bangladesh follows the modified Bengali calendar, their Poila Baishakh is always celebrated on April 14th, while Bangladeshis living in India celebrate it on April 14th or 15th. So, this year there are many places (not just 5-star hotels) that have launched a very good Nabo Barsho special menu, so let’s hurry up and check it out.
Aaheli, The Peerless Inn:
Aaheli seems to be in a league of its own when it comes to serving authentic Bengali flavors from time immemorial. This is not a spice mix from a chef’s kitchen. It’s authentic taste and the same old recipes we grew up with. This Poila Baisakh is about to get better. The special thali serves delicious mustard paturi, chingri macher malai curry, rui jhaal, mishti doi and for dessert, the ancient Bengali bitter paan. more importantly? Much more. Aaheli has been known to laugh even at the Bengali food lovers in town. Standing on the Esplanade of Peerless Inn, don’t miss Poila Baisakh.
Where: Esplanade
Cost for two: Rs 2000
First Innings, The Stadel:
As every year, First Innings will impress you with the first look and the first food. This place has always been a favorite go-to place for every food lover, especially those who crave Bengali food. This year, the curated and exclusive Poila Baisakh special lunch and dinner buffets are absolutely delicious. From old-school coconut cholar dal to mangsho kosha, there’s a dish you’re craving, and you’ll be served hot just right. Apparently accompanied by sweets, sweet curd and drinks for post-meal burp.
Where: JB Block, Salt Lake Sector III
Cost for two: Rs 1200
6, Ballygunge Place:
If a Bengali ever thought of going out to taste some of the best Bengali food, it’s definitely 6, Ballygunge Place. The restaurant is known for serving classic flavors such as Irish bapa, dalar kochuri and chingil jar. The side kick dishes are very good as well as the main courses and non-vegetarian platters. There are now 4 outlets in Kolkata, each with its own specialties. 6, Ballygunge Place offers simple yet crisp Bengali cuisine that always meets customer expectations.
Where: Salt Lake, Ballygunge, Acropolis Mall, Dalhousie.
Cost for two: Rs 700
Oh! Calcutta:
Yes, their cuisine will enthrall you and make you say “Ahh!”. Calcutta”. What we really recommend is the Betki dish which is really delicious. They always have special dishes lined up for the Bengali New Year.This place offers finger licking Bengali food at very affordable prices that you can actually find all year round. Another delicious aspect of this restaurant is that it not only has mutton and chicken recipes, but also a large selection of vegetarian platters for vegans.Try the mocha this April 14th.
Where: Forum Mall
Cost for two: Rs 1800
Chilekotha:
He serves Bengali food and the atmosphere is very pleasant. In addition to wooden furnishings, there are nostalgic Bengali elements such as old Kolkata Koribolga ceilings, antique window panes, chandeliers and curtains made of couscous. To celebrate Novoborsho, they also introduced three thali: Baishaki Sabzi Le Bahar, Baisakhi Aharer Thali and Baishaki Bahari Bhoj.
where:south Kolkata (Dover Lane)
Price: Rs.1500/-
The Seasonal Tastes – Westin :
The Westin (Kolkata) serves the best of both Bengali cuisines, ‘Eper Bangla and Opah Bangla’. Hotel chef Debayan has curated a sumptuous Bengali cuisine offering delicious dishes such as ‘Tel Koi’, ‘Dav Chingri’, ‘Solsu Betki’, ‘Mulgil Jor’, ‘Kosher Manso’ and ‘Kakla Jor’ doing. “Haser dimer dalna”, “Echor bhapa”, “Mocha ghonto bora diye”, “Chorchori”, “Dakbunglow Mutton”, “Kochi pathar Jhol”, “Potoler Dalna”, “Chitoll Macher Muithya”, “Chaanar Paturi”, ” Kolkata Chicken Biryani”, “Kolkata Mutton” Biryani etc. This celebratory buffet includes a rich seafood and bengal platter with your choice of fish platters such as ‘Hilsa’, ‘Chingri’, ‘Louis’, ‘Paache’, ‘Pabda’, ‘Therapia’ and ‘Bora’. has a live grill counter. “Garda” etc.
Where: Kolkata
Price: Rs.1499/
ibis :
A few months ago, ibis Hotels opened its first property in Rajarhat, Kolkata. International restaurant Spice It has already impressed us with its quality food and authenticity. Bengali New Year has introduced a special menu called Boishakhi Aahar from 15th to 21st April 2019. Since this is basically a buffet meal, you can enjoy Bengali food to your heart’s content here at Ibis.
The menu features iconic Bengali dishes such as kosher mansho, chingri malaikari, vasanti pulao, shukt, dhokar dharna, mocha gont, muri gont and matcha kalia. There is also a live counter serving Kolkata staples such as macha patuli, rolls and poochka. Knowing the sweet tooth that every Bengali person has, decadent Bengali desserts such as paysh, kesari rasmalai, malai sandesh and misit doi, to name a few, hit the menu.
Where: Rajarhat,Kolkata
Price: Rs.999/-
