A recent food experience made me realize that our comfort zone is actually a risky place. You become so comfortable with familiar things that you don’t realize what amazing things you’re missing. Case in point: my recent dining experience at Oh! Calcutta. The experience of eating at this restaurant once brought me extremely close to Bengali cuisine, a fascinating array of dishes, I cannot understand why I have never seen it. Oh! Calcutta introduced me not only to impeccable Bengali cuisine but also to the wide spectrum of Calcutta (or Kolkata) food with its confluence of cultures, resulting in dishes that are unique, special and extremely delicious.
Oh! Calcutta’s founder Anjan Chatterjee hosted his restaurant’s 25th anniversary celebration and shared with us his vision of taking Kolkata’s regional food to the rest of the world. He also talked about the importance of the smallest spices and local ingredients, which all come together to create amazing Bengali food.
The interior of Oh! Calcutta is humble yet elegant, two core values that are reflected in each dish and also in the incredible service and hospitality of this restaurant. With soft Bengali music playing in the background and fragrant jasmine flowers decorated the table, we started our feast with a glass of refreshing drink Aam Panna Shoreboat,
For starters, we ate Jackfruit Tikki With goat cheese. The preparation was superb and it was hard to tell that it was a vegetarian dish. Next, we tried Anglo-Indian Chicken Cutlets Which was crisp from outside and full of flavor from inside. Cutlets go well with it Mustard Aioli DipThere was a soft and melt-in-the-mouth snack Nawabi Mutton Gilawat With earthy notes of nutmeg. Starters served Tomato Chutney Tasty and cool with mustard oil and panch phoron Cucumber Yogurt Dip,
Each item on the starter menu came with a unique delicious taste and texture.
Mustard Chutney, Tomato Chutney, Curd Chutney
Without a doubt my favorite starter is fish – Aam Ada Grilled Bhetki Which is mango ginger flavored, raw mango flavored ginger. Avoid dipping with it, and you will be surprised at the mango essence left on your tongue when you eat this dish.
Aam Ada Grilled Bhetki
The main course was like a comforting and delicious Bengali home-cooked meal, cooked to perfection. with soft Rice and crisp Petai Parathawe enjoyed Kosha Mangsho Which had soft mutton pieces in thick, tasty gravy. In chicken, we liked it very much Lebu Pata Diye Murgir JholThe flavor of Gondhoraj leaf is similar to that of Kaffir lime leaf. Shrimp Cream Curry Different in presentation, served inside a coconut and came with a sweet and savory coconut-based gravy. You cannot skip fish while enjoying authentic Bengali food. tried Doi Bhetki Which had a creamy and mildly spicy curd base.
Petai Paratha
Lebu Pata Diya Murgir Jhol and Prawn Malai Curry
Doi Bhetki
Our main courses include comforting classics mixed with some delicious vegetarian items Cholar DalAnd one dish that really stood out – the koraishutir wash and pourThis dish consists of fried pakodas made from green peas and chana dal, served in a deliciously flavored curry. Its taste was amazing and its texture was also amazing.
Along with the food, we also enjoyed it Gondhoraj Salad With lemon peel and sweets pineapple chutney Which is enjoyed at the end of the meal.
After a hearty dinner, we refreshed our hands by dipping into lukewarm finger bowls, a simple tradition I miss dearly in most Indian restaurants. Finally, we finished our delicious meal by enjoying the sweet, rich and delicious Chenar Malpua And Cooked Rosogulla With condensed caramelized milk.
Chenar Malpua and Baked Rosogulla
- What: Oh! Calcutta
- Where: Plot 4, Local Shopping Center Masjid Moth, Greater Kailash II, New Delhi, Delhi 110048
- When: 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm, 7:30 pm – 11:30 pm
- Cost for two people: Rs 1800 (approx)