What is the drink you crave?
Shikanji is black-salt nimbupani, which is lime juice. The shikanji person is right next to Kookie JarI’ve had the best patisserie ever, which is very popular. I have even developed a recipe in Englisch Monsoon. It has a robust flavor and a kick. It’s essentially black salt, sugar, crushed mint and lime—the Bengali lime is different; it has a beautiful aroma to it and is very sweet.
The hand-churned Punjabi style lassi is another drink that I love. Sharma Lassi Center. Kolkata has a large Punjabi community, along with South Indians. We have all these casual roadside Punjabi eateries, or dhabas, and they have unique food items that bridge the cultures— like a dish called chicken bharta. I’ve never had it before. It’s similar to butter chicken but with shredded meat. They’ve also added boiled egg. Bengalis love boiled egg.
A lavish meal?
The food is delicious at Sonargaon You can also find out more about the following: Taj Bengal. The menu is at its best if you are there for the Bengali New year, Pohela Boishakh. The thali they serve is amazing, but expensive. It’s worth trying the shorshe-bhekti, a Kolkata River fish with a crumb. The mutton kosha (a goat curry) and aludam are always served along with the luchi. Then they have a begun bhaja (eggplant) and chutneys and, of course, mishti doi or a rasgulla—all the heritage foods. It’s always here that I bring my cousins, and they find it to be a highlight. Taj Bengal is a romantic place, it’s a beautiful building.
Did you ever have a meal which surprised you?
This Bangladeshi restaurant was on my radar. Kasturi. My husband is Bangladeshi, and I have traveled to that country a lot. So I thought, “Is this another Indian twist on Bangladeshi cuisine?” The real deal is served, with Bengali Dhakai specialty dishes. The standout dish was rui machher kalia or rohu fish in gravy—very light, like a Bengali machher jhol (traditional fish curry) but more Bangladeshi in flavoring.
What food souvenirs are you bringing home with you?
Aam shotto is another name of aam papad – a mango fruit leather snack. Karorpati Goli, a digestif candy brand, and meetha supiri (a traditional mouth-freshener) are also favorites. A real taste of home—plus, none of these leak in your bag.
