Oh! Calcutta
Located in Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Gurgaon and of course Kolkata, this restaurant chain promises to serve the long lost dishes that speak volumes about Kolkata’s Bengali, Nawabi and colonial cuisine. Some may find the prices a bit stiff but the regulars swear by its ‘authentic’ style of cooking. http://www.speciality.co.in/.
Bhojohari Manna
The restaurant created a stir when they chose to bring to the table long-lost tastes such as Dak Bangla Chicken and Goalondo Steamer Curry (a mutton dish). The restaurant takes its name from a song by Manna Dey where he talks about the chef Bhojohari Manna who goes around the world learning all types of cuisine. The core founding team includes film director Goutam Ghose. Besides Kolkata, it is also present in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Siliguri and Puri. http://bhojohorimanna.com/.
Hangla’s
Hangla in Bengali means ‘greedy’. Started by a reputed photo-journalist in Mumbai, first as an outlet selling Kolkata-style ‘roll’ and a few other chicken and mutton dishes, it has grown by leaps and bounds, to bring the taste of Kolkata to your table. Today, it has several outlets in Mumbai alone and is also present in Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata. http://www.hangla.in/.
6 Ballygunge Place
The restaurant decided to name itself after its address in Kolkata, a century-old colonial style mansion. The menu was fixed after considerable research, especially into the food served in the house of the famous Tagores of Kolkata. Although it has made quite a name for itself in Kolkata, the restaurant has refrained from expansion. Other than Kolkata, they are present in Bengaluru only. http://savourites.in/.
Bijoli Grill
Better known as a food caterer to various important events and marriages in Kolkata and elsewhere, Bijoli Grill has come a long way from its existence as a small eatery in south Kolkata. It also runs restaurants in Kolkata, New Delhi and Mumbai. http://www.bijoligrill.com/.
Bayleaf
Started by a Bengali family, this Chennai restaurant’s menu is a mix of many tastes. But Bengalis flock to this restaurant in Gopalapuram to satisfy their hunger for home food. Surf through the menu for the typical Bengali spread or ask the steward to help you. Phone: 044-30853855.
Petuk
Another Chennai-based restaurant that tugs the heart strings of Bengalis, Petuk (meaning ‘glutton’ in Bengali) is located at Kotivakkam on Old Mahabalipuram Road. The down-to-earth façade and the limited menu belies the culinary excellence. Phone: 97898-26262.
Kewpie’s Kitchen
This restaurant in Kolkata, though located near Netaji Subhash Chandraa Bose’s house on Elgin Road, is a tad difficult to find as it is tucked away in a small lane. Go for the ‘thala’ (‘thali’) if you want to have a well-rounded meal. http://kewpieskitchen.com/.
Suruchi
If you are looking for a fancy place, then this is not for you. But if you want a true taste of ‘home-cooked’ Bengali food served with dollops of love and care, then Suruchi at 89 Elliot Road, near Park Street in Kolkata, is the place. Dating back to the early 1970s, the restaurant is run by women, and as regular patrons say, the women will coax and cajole you to have extra helpings just as mothers are wont to do at home. Phone: 033-22291763.
Kasturi
Even before the province of Bengal was partitioned during the Indian independence, the eastern and western parts of the province was known to have their distinct style of cooking. Today, the cuisine of the erstwhile eastern part, now the independent country of Bangladesh, has further evolved. To taste the Bengali cuisine of Bangladesh, try Kolkata-based Kasturi, located in Mustaque Ahmed Street (Marqius Street), not far from Park Street. The food is spicier than typical Indian Bengali food. Phone: 83349-22221.
