Got this list from a friend by mail recently. Would like to thank the kind-hearted soul who took the effort in compiling this. The delight he got from compiling it is pretty evident in hs language :-)
Unfortunately, only people who have lived in Calcutta will realise what these mean or what they taste like. But those for those of us who have - it will help to revive memories and urge us to try them out once again...and again..and again...
These are culinary gems available in only Kolkata!
- Kabiraji Cutlet from Regent (S N Banerjee Road)
- Moghlai Parota from Anadi Cabin (S N Banerjee Road)
- Kosha Mangsho from Golbari (Shyambazar)
- Phulkopir Singara from Mrityunjoy (Lansdowne)
- Double Egg Chicken Roll from Kusum / Park Steet)(Campari @ Gariahat & Nizam is a close contender!)
- Chicken Rezala from Shabbir (off C R Avenue)
- Steak at Oly pub (with beer!!)
- Ujjala's Chanachur ( no comparison anywhere)
- Telebhaja from Putiram (College Street)
- Daab Chigri from Kewpies (Elgin Lane)
- Chicken Cutlet from Baked & Fried (Ballygunge Place)
- Bijoli Grill's Fish Roll
- Mochar Chop Dhoka from Apanjan (Sadananda Road)
- Boudir's Lebu Cha (Deshapriya Park)
- Kochuri & Tarkari from Tasty Corner (Mandeville Gardens)
- Phuchka/Churmur/ Dahi Phuchka from Bilas or Boudi (Southern Avenue)
- Chicken Cutlet near Samur (Bhowanipur)
- Mishti Doi & Rosogolla from Mithai (Beckbagan)
- Sandesh (all types) from Balaram (Bhowanipur)
- Pantua from Bancharam
- Indrani from Ganguram
- Rabri from Chittaranhan
- Darbesh from Sen Mahasay
- Amritti from Bhim Nag/Ganguram (Jalebis are no match)
I wish I could add - Skyroom's Prawn Cocktail & Mixed Grill & BakedAlaska or Blue Fox's Lobster Thermidor - NOT anymore.... even theMandarin Fish from Waldorf is no more available!!
These are unmatched:
- Chelo Kabab from Peter Cat
- Phulkopir Shingara: samosas don't stand a chance against these.
- Phuchka: gol-gappas aren't a match on phuchkas.
- Karaishutir Kochuri: a seasonal favourite, have it with alur dam.
- Luchi: puri and phulkas - no comparison.
- Alurdom: the world's best. Try the offering at Vivekananda Park.
- Jhalmuri: a unique concoction, with nothing to equal it.
- Telebhaaja: these and jhalmuri are like 'made for each other'.
- Chanachur: many have tried unsuccesfully to steal the formula, MNCs included!
- Alukabli: where will you get something like this?Ghugni: again, chana is not the same at all. (And mangshe'r ghugni is even better)
- Radhaballavi: try it with alurdom or cholar daal.
- Chaanp: even Pakistani cricketers have sampled these, in Chitpur.
- Rezala: out of this world, just out of this world!
- Paradiser Sharbat: there is one which is green, and another, pink. No college student from Presidency or the University has failed to sample these!
- Lere Biscut: needed to make the batter for chop-katlet. (Also phata-phati with butter and/or cheese spread)
- Chicken Kabiraji: an unbelievable variation on the chicken cutlet.
- Mutton Afghani: an equally innovative presentation of the mutton cutlet. (Coffee House)
- Dimer Kalia: again, where do you get something like this?
- Kasha mangsho: it's become an institution now.
- Roll: the ubiquitous mutton, chicken or egg roll. Unquestionably superior to any variants in any other city of the world.
- Coffee houser coffee: try the float with ice cream.
- Bharer chaa: on the Maidan, from shining brass vessels on a rainy day.
The sweeter side...
- Roshomalai: a creamy, mouth-watering delight!
- Jilipi: smaller than the jalebis and tastes quite different.
- Lal(Misti) doi: is an experience by itself!
- Kamala bhog: a pale yellow orb, delicately sweetened.
- Notun gurer sondesh: a winter speciality available in no other city.
- Rosogolla: simply needs no introduction.
- Natun gurer Rosogolla: the latest innovation.
- Shitabhog: pure white, sweetened to just the right extent.
- Mihi Dana: golden yellow, saffron scented.
- Maalpoa: rich brown pancakes, dripping in sugar syrup.
- Ranga alur pithey: another traditional favourite in winter
Some off beat specialities..
- Aamer morobba - the best outside Gariahat market
- Kuler achar - the best outside Gariahat market
- Shukno mashla makha tetul - Available with the churanwalas outside all schools, much to the delight of the students and dismay of theparents !!
- Dulaler tal mishri
- Dulaler hojmi - mind boggling and healthy too
- Bikrampurer kashundi - Mustard just pales next to this
- Machher kochuri - Where else can you have fish in such an innovative form ????
- Churmur - In my opinion this is slightly better than jhalmuri and phuchka. The sad thing of course is that it is unheard of in the restof the country.
- Alukabli - Another must at Vivekananda Park or opposite Menoka Cinema
- Muri ghonto - Defies description
- Mochar chop - A delight even for the staunchest non vegetarians
- Kumro phul bhaja - In tiny little food joints around Chittaranjan Avenue
- Kada paker sandesh - A sure winner, especially the jalbhara talshansh with the liquid gur filling, which is sublime
- Darbesh - Our own version of the laddoo
- Bondey - How does one describe this sticky sweet delicacy
- Patishapta - A delicate crepe with a filling of coconut and gur
- Chhanar payesh - Better than rabdi anyday and does not weigh your stomach down..."
