Kimli

56G, Purna Das Road, 

Kolkata-700029

Phone No.033-24634033, 033-24649166, 

033-40076294

  Kimli was recommended by several of our readers for the wonderful duck dishes that they serve. We had never tried duck before so, we decided that our first time might as well be good! The place is completely invisible from the main road and is located in a lane next to Bedwin in Golpark. It looked quite nice from the outside but when we walked in we were in for a shock! It was really tiny, almost minuscule. We actually spent quite a bit of time wondering whether or not there was another floor. Well, there wasn't. The decor was very ordinary.

Kimli

  We sat at a table which was quite close to the cash counter and the kitchen. Well, there wasn't much to choose from when it came to seating. When we were offered the menu card, we were quite pleased. There was a lot of variety but we decided to stick to our recommendation. Once we ordered, the wait began.

  The food took forever to be served. The only saving grace was that we were with friends and there was plenty of catching up to do with them. Without that, we would surely have gone crazy with hunger. Time rolled on and our food was nowhere to be seen. Other customers too, started to complain about the slow service. At last, the manager himself had to intervene. The problem was that there was a huge rush (because Kimli also serves Take-Away) and the place was heavily understaffed. But, to be honest, if the number of staff were to be increased, there would be a huge shortage of space. There was room for only one person in the kitchen.

Szechuan Duck and Chicken Egg Meifoon

  After exactly one hour, we were served our food. Our irritation died down once we tasted the dishes. The Chicken Egg Meifoon (Rs.97) was not only good quantity-wise but was flavourful. The best dishes were the sides. The Red Pepper Chili and Garlic Chicken (Rs.110) and Szechuan Duck (Rs.125) were a true delight. The quantity served was sufficient for three even though there was only one plate of each. 

Red Pepper Chilii and Garlic Chicken

  The duck was cooked to perfection. Even though it was a gravy dish, the pieces had some crunchy bits. The meat was falling easily off the bone and the flavours were tangy. The chicken was boneless and shaped into little balls. The meat was soft and juicy. Neither of the dishes were as spicy as we had feared.

  We managed to complete our meal in several hungry gulps and when we left, we had a smile on our faces, unlike the group of people who were still waiting to be served. After the meal we would say that it was worth the wait. 


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Golden Joy,

Bar cum Restaurant,

50/1, Matheshwartola Road,

Kolkata-700046

Phone: +913340048278

+913323294862

+919051670888

    Kolkata is known as the residence of a lot of ethnic communities. One of them is the Chinese community. Till recently, they used to live in the Bow Bazaar area. Off late, they have shifted to another part of the town, near Topsia, and this little Chinese neighbourhood is called China Town. It has many restaurants, in its serpentine lanes, and these restaurants are committed to serve you quality Chinese food. One such restaurant, is Golden Joy.

    We went there on a sunny afternoon for lunch. The decor is quite simple, with wood paneling and comfortable seating, and posters about the restaurant lining the walls. Till 6pm, guests are seated in the lower floor, after which the upper floor is opened. There is also a television at one end of the room, which plays eventful programmes of the day.

Decor- Golden Joy

     The highlight of restaurants in China Town is the quantity of food served is a LOT and alcohol is served in both half and full pegs as well as bottles. A 750 ml bottle of Royal Stag whiskey, will cost you Rs 660/-, tax free,which is much cheaper compared to individual pegs amounting to the same quantity, served at other restaurants in other locations. Even the soft drinks and soda are cheaper here, compared to other restaurants. Service is quite swift and the behaviour of the staff is friendly.

    We began ordering with a plate of Thai Fried Chicken. It costs Rs 160/- for half a plate and it has 8 pieces. It is quite tasty and the balls are fried to a crunchy consistency with bits of chilli in them. They are not very spicy and the green chilli dip, was the perfect partner to gobble down this delicacy with.

Thai Fried Chicken

    Next, we ordered a plate of Lut Me Mushroom and Baby Corn. It costs Rs 120/- for half a plate and has a mixed serving of both Mushroom and Baby Corn. It was batter fried with chilli and did not have any specific taste to it. You will only get the taste of baby corn or mushroom, unless you are using some sauce to spice it up. Also, if you like mushrooms more than baby corn, make sure you ask them to serve you only mushrooms, as the mixed plate has more baby corns. It costs the same even if you order only mushrooms or baby corn.

Lut Me Mushroom and Babycorn

   For our main course, we ordered a plate of Mixed Sichuan Canton chow, worth Rs 130/- a plate. It is available in both gravy and hakka style. It has a large number of prawn pieces and vegetables. It is also not very spicy and it had the flavour of tomatoes. As side dish, we ordered Thai Curry Chicken, worth Rs 230/- a plate. It is tangy and is not very spicy. It is the perfect accompaniment for your glass of whiskey.

Mixed Sichuan Gravy Chow

   We were full to the gills with the food that was served. It is a place worth visiting, if you are large group of people, looking to have a good time with food and wine.

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Banzara,

A.C. Restaurant,

86, Ibrahimpur Road,

Jadavpur, 

Kolkata-700032

   Phone- +913324830941

+913324148652

     Even if you are a regular at Jadavpur 8B, locating Banzara would be a little difficult for you for the first time. But once you do, you will surely keep visiting it. It is in a by lane of the Lokenath Paper House Lane. We sincerely hope that is called giving good directions!

Banzara Restaurant

      Banzara doesn't have much of a décor. A bunch of mirrors are stuck on the walls, facing each other and the seating is also less and slightl cramped. The cleanliness is of the above average standard. Service is slightly slow as well. You might have to wait for 20 minutes before your order arrives.

Decor at Banzara

     However, the food does manage to take your breath away. Especially from the Indian section. For starters, we had ordered Crispy Chilli Baby Corn( Rs 165/-) and Chicken Drumsticks( Rs 110/-). The drumsticks were quite sumptuous with a thin coating of well fried batter and tossed vegetables. The Crispy Chilli Baby Corn was not as good as the drumsticks. The batter was not very smooth and it had a floury taste and also, it didn't have a good flavour. It was very neutral and bland.

Chicken Drumstick

     However, the main course was quite mood up lifting. We went in a group so we ordered both from the Chinese and the Indian section. We ordered Butter Naan(Rs 27/- for one piece) and Maharaja Mutton (Rs 145/- for 4 pieces in a plate). The Naan was tender and well buttered and the name "Maharaja Mutton" befitted the dish completely. It was a rich preparation using various spices and had cashews and other nuts in it. It was crackling on the tongue but not spicy and we could have licked the plate had it not been a restaurant. Comparatively, the Chinese dishes fell flat. We had ordered Mixed Lemon Fried Rice (Rs 100/- per plate) which did not have a whiff of lemon in it, Mongolian Chicken (Rs 115/- a plate), which was quite good and it tasted like a variation of Garlic Chicken, only it was in white sauce. The Schezwan Chicken( Rs 110/- per plate) was a real let down. It was not spicy nor tangy and it just did nothing to enhance the flavour of the rice.

(L to R) Maharaja Mutton, Buttered Naan and Mixed Lemon Fried Rice

(L to R) Mongolian Chicken and Schezwan Chicken

    However, thumbs up to the quantity of the food. It is quite an amount. Also, try the Tandoori Chicken out which is served with a lighted candle in the middle. Unfortunately, we were too full to eat any more.


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Photo Credit: Bidisha Kantha