KOLKATA LIVING.

Hey guys, since, you know I turned my blog from just a food blog to a travel/lifestyle/food blog, you can see it all over my instagram, go follow me there, username: pompouscrap, I thought of posting my first lifestyle blog which is, of course, going to be about my hometown A.K.A Kolkata, Did you know that Kolkata used to be the capital of India during British rule? My city has an undeniable charm which attracts everyone towards itself, sure it’s not as developed as other metropolitans but this place never fails to surprise its visitors.

If you’re about to visit Calcutta, yes I like its old name better than its new one, here’s a traveller’s guide to a Calcuttan’s life (or my life):

 1.       Have you ever seen a Punjabi family run a South Indian food corner, yes, you can find one in Kolkata, this actually shows how diverse Calcutta is, or even, how diverse India is, not only is this place unique for its origins but also for its food, I swear by every dosa I’ve ever eaten that this is the best of it all. I don’t remember their address but all you need to do is go to ganeshtalkies, jorabagan and ask anyone about the best dosas in that area and they’ll point you to this South Indian food corner. Thank you uncle for the best South Indian food :3 YOU NEED TO VISIT THIS PLACE.

1.    2.   What comes first to your mind when you hear “A hole in the wall”? To me, this place called Kapila Ashram, it’s a hole in the wall which serves one of the best fruit cakes of Calcutta during the winter season and the best sherbets during the summer season. I highly recommend the “abar khabo” sherbet. Address: 204/2, Bidhan Sarani, Machuabazar, Kolkata: 700006

1.   3.    Buy fruits from the roadside because it is cheap and has more variety than any convenience store

Ride the tram because if you don’t then shame on you.

1.     5.  Eat puchka from the roadside vendors, I don’t know if it’s healthy much but it’s definitely delicious much and also, they make my eyes water and make me doubt my decision to leave Calcutta for college AND, IT’S NOT PANI PURI OR GOLGAPPA, IT IS PUCHKA, ROLL WITH IT.

That’s not it, let’s just call this part 1 of Calcutta living, part 2 will surface soon.

Email address for inquiries: shireengupta101@gmail.com.

Till then :)

Say cheessseee!

Bum-bum bummmm, Hey guys! How have you all been? Wonderful, I hope. Okay, I need to ask you guys if you like Mac and cheese? If yes, then you're gonna love this recipe!

Pasta in white sauce:

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup boiled pasta of choice ( I used macaroni);
2. 3/4 cup milk;
3. 1/2 cup cheese of choice;
4. 1 chopped onion;
5. 1 teaspoon chilli flakes;
6. 1 tablespoon dried thyme;
7. 1 tablespoon dried oregano;
8. 1 tablespoon butter;
9. 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour;
10. 2 tablespoons water;
11. Salt to taste.

Procedure:

Saute the onion and butter till the onion acquires a brown colour

Add in the milk, keep the heat to medium high

Add the cheese in shredded form

Mix the water and the flour, removing lumps, add in the mixture to the pan when the cheese is melted.

Add in the chilli flakes, oregano, thyme and salt.

Add in the pasta.

Remove from flame when the pasta is thick.

Enjoy!

GRILL IT!

Okay, first of all, I'm extremely sorry for not updating my blog last week, I was in a bit of a soup but it's okay now. Today's post isn't a recipe though, it is my very first restaurant review! the restaurant in question is Barbeque Nation, Kolkata. So here goes!

Preference : Okay, so this part of the review is bad, we were seated by 12:03, since Barbeque Nation is known for Korean grilling basis, what they do is that they place a small grill right at center of your table and bring in semi-cooked skewers and you get the privilege to skewer it yourself, we did not get our grill until around 12:23, while the table across already had skewers on theirs, which was kind of annoying.

Rate for preference: 2.5/5

Ambiance: The ambiance is a natural restaurant ambiance, nothing special and nothing too deranged, so, it was okay.
Rate for ambiance: 3.5/5
Food: Okay the main part, FOOD, the food was breath-taking, it was delicious. If you visit now, I insist you try the paan-kulfi for it was magnificent, it tasted exactly like paan.
Rate for food: 4.5/5

Service: Although, the preference part was annoying, the service was surprisingly good, the waiters were friendly and co-operative, there was a part where a waiter came up to us and asked how we liked the food, my father responded saying that the food was exceptional but the lamb wasn't up to the mark, the waiter brought in the chef and chef inquired about the lamb, my father responded saying that according to himself, lamb should be dry instead being in gravy, the chef took it on a serious note and insisted on making him a plate dry lamb, and so he did and that lamb tasted good, the co-operation and the service motive was a plus point.
Rate for service: 4.8/5.
Important suggestions to future diners:
1. I strongly recommend getting a reservation before hand and that too, 2-3 days before the actual dining plan. 
Address: K1, RDB Boulevard, Block EP and GP, Sector 5, Salt Lake, Kolkata.
Phone number: 033 60600000,
Cuisines: North Indian, Mediterranean.
Timings: 12 noon-2:45 P.M, 6:30 P.M-10:30 P.M.( Monday-Sunday)
Cost for two(excluding alcohol): Rs. 1600.

ENJOY!