Shiraz Golden Restaurant (Salt Lake)

Shiraz at Salt Lake Kolkata (HA Block)

Shiraz Golden Restaurant added another branch to Kolkata at HA Block (Near Tank No. 13) Salt Lake. This restaurant outlet has limited seating area with a couple of tables as it serves most of its customers through the Take Away counter and Home Delivery Facility. Similar to the Shiraz of Mallikbazar (Park Street), it not only serves different types of Kathi Kebab Rolls, but also all Indian / Mughlai dishes like Kebabs, Chap, Rezala, Korma, Tandoor Items & Biriyani. The Kathi Kebab Rolls available at their outside counter are a hit among the large no. of students and office goers who come to Salt Lake daily. Their entire list of items & Menu is given below.

India Restaurant (Kidderpore)

Murgh Peshwari Kebab

On a cloudy July afternoon, me and two of my friends set off on a trail to taste one of the best and authentic kebabs in Kolkata. Our destination was khidderpore, an area known for goods available in cheap prices. It is a muslim locality hence most of the restaurants serves authentic mughlai cuisine. We chose the Indian Restaurant for trying out kebabs. The restaurant is quite spacious with separate A.C and non A.C sitting areas. Even in a normal weekday afternoon, there was a constant flow of customers. Since we had only kebab in mind, we straightaway dived into the kebab menu.

Flame & Grill - South City Mall

Flame & Grill (South City) Interiors

In spite of the hot, humid and sweaty weather of Kolkata, people love to utter the words "Flame and Grill". It instantly reminds one of 'KEBABS" and various sumptuous Indian dishes. Flame and Grill is one of the finest restaurants serving amazing kebabs and yes of course a never-ending delicious buffet!! Flame and Grill is in the topmost floor of the hugely popular South City Mall, a perfect place to attract the crowd! The ambience of the restaurant gives you the rejuvenated feeling of getting ready to indulge yourself in the pool of kebabs and many more items. The entire decor has a dark and wooden look!! The restaurant can comfortably accommodate more than 50 persons and the entire atmosphere makes one feel composed and active simultaneously! The restaurant has an interesting work of art, also used as a partition! It stretches from the ceiling till the floor in the form of a grid with each square containing a bottle of spice, herbs or masala!! To talk about the sitting arrangement, the tables, which are low in height along with wooden long chairs accommodating 2 people atleast! The most interesting fact about the table is its attatched "hot wok" (personal grill chamber)!!

Pantaloons Food Court (Kankurgachi)

Mango Smoothie and Cold Coffee

Another self service food court in North Kolkata; Pantaloons Food Court is situated on the uppermost floor of the Pantaloons Shopping Centre of Kankurgachi area. After spending a lump some time on a shopping spree at one of Kolkata’s most popular brands, Pantaloons, and you are starving, you can get yourself some fast food, snacks, desserts or coffee here. This smallish food outlet is right beside the Food Bazaar (grocery store of Pantaloons) and has a few tables and even fewer food counters as compared to other shopping mall food courts.

Ta'aam (Rashbehari Avenue)

Ta'aam at Priya Cinema Hall, South Kolkata

Ta'aam (meaning ‘food’ in Arabic) is the city's newest addition to the Mughal-Frontier cuisine (North Indian Cuisine) segment. This restaurant, situated within the same building of Priya Cinema Hall beside the ticket counter, has the impressive ambience of the Mughal era. Its brightly lit, very nicely and neatly decorated with Jhoomars and tall mirrors. One of the walls is fully decked with Persian clay plates. This restaurant has the welcoming feel to it with the perfect blend of music. The restaurant has classy interiors with a huge space which can accommodate 75 persons at a time. As we were seated at a sofa the server moved away after filling up our water glasses and giving us the menu cards. A small bar counter at the far end, now serves only a variety of mocktails on the cards, till they get a bar license.

Garam Tawa (Shyambajar 5 point crossing)

Garam Tawa at Shyambazar

Garam Tawa is quite popular in the Shyambazar region for Take Away Food. Situated close to Golbari, it serves both North Indian and Chinese cuisines. The interior of this multi-cuisine restaurant is very small with a handful of 3 or 4 tables without any air-conditioning system. There is a take away Roll counter too which serves Kati Kebab Rolls. Popular orders are Fried rice, hot steamed momos with clear soups, chicken bharta, mutton rogan juice, Chicken Shahi Butter Masala, Chicken Reshmi Butter Masala, Tikka Butter Masala, Kebabs, Tandoori Chicken.

Mehfil (Salt Lake)

Mehfil (Salt Lake City Centre)

Situated opposite to City Center (Salt Lake), right beside Le Coffee Crème, this branch of Mehfil specializes in serving fast foods like Kati Kebab Rolls, Biriyani, Kebabs, Tandoori items, apart from regular Mughlai dishes of Rezala, Korma, Chap, Kasha (both Chicken & Mutton). The shop is very small with seating arrangement of just 2 tables inside. However they have placed few chairs outside on the footpath to handle City Center crowds during weekend evenings! They make rolls and other dishes right in front of the customers which is visible through the glass panes. The Rolls have a price range of Rs. 25 – 100 and are pretty heavy & filling in comparison of evening snacks. They prepare using their kebabs very well for the rolls.

Mehak-e-Punjab (Axis Mall - Rajarhat)

Mehak-e-Punjab entrance

After a long spell of shopping at the Axis Mall of Rajarhat, when your feet are tired and you are hungry, go to Mehak-e-Punjab beside the food court. This multi-cuisine restaurant is very spacious and has two separate siting areas. One for the non alcohol consuming crowd and another for those who wants to have alcoholic beverages along with the food.

The bar cum restaurant section has much more comfortable sitting arrangement compared to the normal restaurant section. The decor is soothing with couches and chairs to sit upon.

Aminia (Golpark)

Aminia Entrance Door & Waiting Area

Aminia Ground Floor

Aminia First Floor Entrance
to dining hall

The renowned Aminia of New Market (Esplanade) now has a branch in South Kolkata - Aminia South, near Golpark. In fact, it had opened several years back, but was closed due to some problem. It re-opened in 2012 and South Kolkata citizens can now get a taste of everyone’s favourite Aminia special foods like Mutton Biriyani, Rezala, Pasinda Kabab, Chicken Chap, Tandoori Roti and Firni.

Aminia (New Market, Esplanade)

Aminia Interiors

Aminia New Market Entrance

This massive restaurant, which has been like a heritage eatery in Kolkata, extended over two floors post-renovation, has been drawing most of the shoppers, office crowd, tourists and visitors in and around New Market (Esplanade) for the past many decades. It has always been a target for college goers because of its location and economic meal. Not many know that Aminia came into the being on the day of India's independence and soon became the byword for Mughlai khana.

Fusion (Sovabajar - Hatibagan)

Fusion Restaurant at Hatibagan Kolkata

Fusion Restaurant Interiors

Paneer Butter Masala

Fusion is a three storey multi cuisine hub which was put together by modifying an ancient building. If you want to grab a quick roll or have lunch/ dinner after shopping at hatibagan area or after seeing a movie/ theatre at Star Theatre, then this is your place. The ground floor has separate take away counters and a roll counter. The rolls are quite good and value for money. Some of them are Cheese Roll (Rs. 25), Double Cheese Roll (Rs. 45), Vegetable Roll (Rs. 16), Paneer Roll (Rs. 20), Egg Roll (Rs. 16), Chicken Roll (Rs. 22), and Mutton Roll (Rs. 28). The first & second floors have restaurants that serve Indian, Mughlai and Chinese food. The entrance is through a narrow staircase. Each restaurant is small having regular wooden tables and cushioned chairs. There are glass panes entirely on one side having a view of typical narrow North Kolkata roads & old houses on its side. The tables were very near to each other and one could easily eavesdrop into the conversation on another table. Though their menu list is huge with all items of North Indian, Mughlai and Chinese, from kebabs, to biriyanis, from pepper chicken to crispy babycorn, half of the items were not even available. The three waiters really need to pick up on their attires, service and mannerisms. Whatever I questioned for availability they simply looked at me with a blank expression, as if to suggest they have heard the name of the item for the very first time. I kept on giving food item orders, the waiter kept on saying that it was not available that time. So finally he himself made suggestions on dishes and I accepted on having so. White marble flooring and latest wooden casing of walls were not enough as the air-conditioning system was not working on a hot March afternoon. So that’s why I decided to change tables after placing an order, and shift to a table which had a working AC near it. But the waiters said that was against their rule to change tables after an order has already been placed. So I had a kind of tiff with him and finally managed to get to a cooler table. Though the waiters were not even courteous enough to get the paper napkins, water glasses and other crockery on their own, and I had to insist them.

Mutton Sheek Kebab

After such a bad experience, I assumed that the food will also be not that good in quality. But fortunately, the food was astonishingly good both in quality and quantity considering its price. I had ordered Mutton Sheek Kebab (4 pcs - Rs. 120) for starter, Tawa Chicken (14 pcs - Rs. 130), Paneer Butter Masala (6 pcs – Rs. 95), Plain Naan (Rs. 18), Masala Kulcha (Rs. 30). Other popular Mughlai dishes are Biriyani (served in handi, good quantity), Fusion special Chicken kebab and Chelo Kebab. Hot orders from the Chinese section are sweet corn chicken soup, chicken schezuan fried rice, garlic chicken and sweet & sour fish, Chicken 65 and Chowmein. The cost of a complete meal for two persons will be around Rs. 500 (inclusive of taxes). You can check out the menu given below.

So the only thing worth mentioning is the Glass facade this restaurant sports, lending a bright feel to the place and that the food will not disappoint you. But you might get frustrated with the poor service and by chance if the AC is not working.

Plain Naan

Tawa Chicken

Location: 151/1, Bidhan Sarani, Near Star Theatre, Kolkata-700006

Contact No.: (91)(33)-25542791, (+91)9674776757

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Fusion Kati Kebab Roll Counter

Fusion Restaurant Decor

Only Alibaba - Sector 5 Saltlake

Only Alibaba outlet at Sector 5 Saltlake

Butter Chicken

Feel like tucking into some Mughlai food? Only Alibaba is a good option. It’s a very small and simple restaurant; pretty much the ideal place to grab a quick & cheap meal with friends or colleagues in the busy IT sector. Only Alibaba was born on 24th September 2008. Like Alibaba who took on the combined might of 40 thieves, ONLY ALIBABA took on the might of the Mughalai food business in its very own food district of Park Circus in Kolkata. The discerning pallet of the people of Kolkata has given Only Alibaba a unique standing. Since the world has become health conscious, the oil, the basic ingredient of all cooking, used here is of the best quality and is refined oil only. No dalda and animal fat is used in the kitchen. The interiors are not that fancy. Just ordinary glass tables and metallic (steel) chairs with reddish colored interiors. There are wall plasters falling off at some places. There is no toilet facility, only wash-basin. Parking is a big problem in that busy location. Still the place can be very crowded sometimes because of its affordable and delicious good; and the food items especially the biriyani gets finished on most days! Their signature dishes are Chicken and Mutton Biryani and Alibaba Special Masala Prawn. The other items on the menu are given at the end.

Badsahi Murgh Biriyani

Biriyani and kebabs tastes good and is very popular. The chicken of gravy items was very hard. The service is not that good as they take a lot of time in serving order. On an expansion mode always, they now have eleven outlets in Kolkata and therefore it is possible for them to do free home delivery anywhere within the city limits within 55 minutes of placing the order, 365 days in the year from 10 am to 10 pm. For more information check their page at http://www.onlyalibaba.com/home.aspx

Location: Block EP & GP, Sector-V, Saltlake City, Kolkata- 700091

Contact No.: (033) 4021-2222 (Home Delivery for any location in Kolkata)
 
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Shiraz Golden Restaurant - Park Circus

Shiraz Main Entrance

Biriyani

Shiraz is one of the most renowned restaurants in Kolkata that is well-known for its exceptional biryani. That is not to say that it’s not known for chaaps, kebabs and Tandoori Chicken; they are as famous as the Kolkata Biryani that they make. Kolkata's biriyani is different from its Lucknowi or Hyderabadi cousins! But as a hard-core food addict, I swear by Kolkata's Biriyani to be the tastiest amongst the 3 cousins. Blame it on my palate or partiality towards Kolkata - but for biriyani, I would rather wait for a seat at Shiraz Kolkata than at Abid's or Paradise at Hyderabad. A very contentious topic in Kolkata "where to get the best BIRIYANI?". Kolkata Food lovers swear by their favourite joints and very often, this becomes a topic for a heated argument. I know many other Kolkatans would instantly think of some of its closest competitors like Arsalan, Nizam’s or Aminia being better that Shiraz, but I am a die-hard fan of Shiraz when it comes to biriyani! The rice used in Shiraz's biriyani is slender, smooth and unbroken. And then when you take a spoonful of its mutton or chicken biriyani, it almost melts in your mouth! Legend has it that biriyani was never made with chicken - only recently has the modern Bong demanded the "lesser evil" chicken over mutton - and hence we have chicken biriyani.

Sarson - South City Mall

Sarson Interiors

Welcome Drink and papad

Sarson Starters & salads

Sarson, the brainchild of Amitabh Rai, serves classic Punjabi cuisine in the City of Joy. Sarson sprouted at the second floor of the South City Mall in 2010 and serves lip smacking Indian food in quite an upscale ambiance. Plush Indian-themed interiors, Punjabi to be precise, gold inlays, warm lighting and jhula seating. It operates from 12:30 PM TO 11:30 PM. The menu is quite optimistic and fancy and the wine list displays fancy vintage. One striking feature which makes it special is their unlimited supply of welcome drink (usually pineapple mint) along with crisp Papads (Popadams) which sets it apart. The food is predominantly North Indian, with a sprinkling of heritage pan-Indian delicacies like Kolkata Beckti, Patrani Machhi and Burrah Kebab. Enjoy piping hot Paranthas oiled with Desi Ghee and Butter, delicious Kebabs, a variety of Dals (lentils), Sarson ka Saag (Mustard Curry) and Makki ki Roti (Bread made of Corn), Biryani, Pulao, Raita, Amritsari Macchi (type Fish Fillet specialty from Amritsar), Jhingri Mehrunsina (Tandoori Prawns) and a fantastic choice of Indian breads like Romali Roti, Laccha Paranthas, Stuffed Paranthas, Amritsari Kulcha and like. There is not just Punjabi food at Sarson. You can also savour some flavours of Bengali cuisine though Punjabi fare is the highlight, definitely. Their signature dish Sarson ka Murgh unexpectedly comes in a regular dipping of a master sauce. Premium Indian Whiskeys like Blender’s Pride and Signature 30 ml comes at Rs. 190 and soda at Rs. 50. You would spend about Rs. 1500 (inc. taxes) for a meal of two inclusive of beverages and desserts. The way they serve the food and specially the Indian breads, they are fresh and warm for longer period of time. The lunch buffet is priced at Rs. 440, plus taxes and the dinner buffet costs Rs. 495, plus taxes for one person (dinner buffet cost comes to Rs. 587 adding all taxes). The buffet is priced at Rs. 265, plus taxes for kids below 8 years. The buffet has the following items:

Sarson Kebabs

Zombie Pineapple mint drink, dakshini murg tikka, bhatti ka murg, mutton shikampuri, masala fish fry, chickn biriyani, subj ka gosht, stire fried fish, aloo pudinawala, paneer tikka, beet root ki tikka, aloo chana salad, hara moong salad, subj e sangam baked, aloo simla mirch, paneer methi malai, yellow dal tadka, polao, fresh green salad, mixed raita, kulcha, laccha paratha, mango kheer, malai chum chum, tiramisu, choco sandesh, chocolate ice-cream.

Sarson Main Course

As I had visited this place, on the occasion of a relative’s birthday, the chef made us a complimentary cake, made of only Sandesh, (picture shown) which was absolutely unique. The buffet is a great option for non-vegetarians only. Choices for vegetarians are quite limited though both are priced same. However, Sarson is a great choice for Punjabi food dining in Kolkata. It has place for about 92 people which makes it ideal for family and large group dining. It makes one wonder about the fine-dining expectations of the clientele.

 Location: S224B, 2nd Floor, South City Mall, 375 Prince Anwar Shah Road, Kolkata- 700068
Contact No.: (91)-(33)-40643003

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Sarson Dining

Choco Ice-cream

Sarson Desserts & tiramisu

Sandesh Cake

Sarson Entrance

Dawaat-e-Shiraz - Tulip Inn (Park Circus)

Main Entrance

 

Tulip Inn- Kolkata is a chic 3 star deluxe hotel, modern and contemporary in design; it has retained the spirit and charm of the traditions of India and blended these with the latest technology. The hotel is located at a very convenient location in the heart of the city nearby Park Street with all major tourist attractions, corporate hub and recreational facilities in vicinity.

Interiors of Daawat-e-Shiraz

Ceiling Lamps

Tulip Inn and Shiraz Restaurants Pvt. Ltd. launched Daawat-e-Shiraz, touted to be Kolkata’s first Awadhi fine dining restaurant. It is situated right at the place where the original mallik-bazar Shiraz had been. Shiraz golden restaurant though had been shifted right on the opposite flank of the road. This 50 cover restaurant takes pride of serving traditional “Bawarchi Khana” of the Nawab of Awadh. The expertise of the chefs adds to the fineness in preparing a wide array of delicacies for the connoisseurs delight. According to history, when Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was dethroned and banished to Metiabruz, he brought with him an entourage of 1000 Bawarchis (mughal chefs) and Khansamas from Lucknow. The Nawab, known for his penchant to splurge on art, music and food had granted a rare authority to his chefs. Chef Shammuddin, a direct descendant of Wajid Ali Shah’s royal kitchen was the first one to introduce authentic Awadhi cuisine in Kolkata. It was he who created the recipe of what Kolkatans fondly call the world renowned “Shiraz’s Biryani”. The recipe, that gives it a cut above the others, is still a secret and is only shared with the next generation of the family. Although Awadhi cuisine has traveled far and wide, but it is believed that only a handful of chefs with royal Khansamas lineage know the secret ingredients. Spices like zafran, cinnamon and cardamom, dried fruits and herbs are used extensively.

Complimentary Papad & chutneys

Tandoori Chiken

Kebabs and Biriyani

Interiors

The interiors of Dawaat-e-Shiraz are inspired by very contemporary and elegant existence; the food is authentic, delicate, and traditional and the atmosphere is a brew of many moods. There are see-through glass panes on the side of the main Park St. The intricate lamps on the ceiling give perfect lighting to the white marble tables surrounded by large comfy cushioned chairs. The atypical combination of cuisine attaches a certain sense of uniqueness to the place. It features quite a detailed menu. Complimentary papad, chutney and their own unique sauces are given to diners. One can begin their meal with the Paya Shorba followed by Kabab-e-Tashtari which just melts into your mouth. The main course includes Dal Awadhi, Kofta Nargisi, Sheermal, Bakarkhani, Murg Anjeer, Oudh Murg Biryani, Oudh Gosht Biryani, Gosht Shahi Stew and Lucknowi Masaledaar Macchi, amongst host of other delectable delicacies. The biryani is light, fluffy, fragrant and quite unlike the overpowering preparation that is usually paraded as the real thing. The meal allows just enough room for desert and the Shahi Chand ka Tukra, Awadhi Firni etc, which are the exact climax one would be looking for. Any kebab and tandoori items might take 15-20 minutes to be served from the time ordering. Being a 3-star, the prices are on the higher side, but the food is worth it. Biriyani costs around Rs. 312 (inc. taxes). Half Tandoori chicken costs the same and is served cut into 4 pieces. A fully fledged meal for two would cost Rs. 1000- 1200 (inc. taxes). It is open from 1200 hrs to 1530 hrs and 1930 hrs to 2330 hrs daily. Parking could be a problem in busy hours. Head here when you have a couple of hours to spare and craving for good Awadhi food.

Tulip Inn main building view

Location: Tulip Inn Hotel, 56 Park Street, Mallik-bazar crossing, Kolkata – 700016

Contact No.: (+91) 33 40250000, (+91) 33 40250001, (+91) 9830053062, (+91) 8420009917

Visit http://www.tulipinnkolkata.com/ for more information.

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