Kolkata’s hip eatery and bar – Bodega Cantina-Y-Bar has some of the best food the city has to offer. Owner Urvika Kanoi has trained at London’s Le Cordon Bleu, and also runs a gourmet catering service called The Food Studio. We got her to give us the inside dope on the food joints she loves to eat out at and the list has it all, even phuchkawalas!
I have grown up eating the food at Amber. This restaurant is very much a Calcutta thing, one of those iconic joints people have been loyal to for years. I love their paneer butter masala, the chicken tikka, and butter naan – they give me major nostalgia vibes. But my fave dish here has to be the mutton reshmi – it literally melts in the mouth. It’s not on the menu anymore though, but you can call ahead and make it to order.
I am a big fan of Lebanese cuisine, and you don’t get the real thing anywhere else in Kolkata except at the Souk. The variety here is great. I love their halloumi cheese, the hearty stews and tagines, the fresh pita and the Hummus Beiruty. Everything here is quite authentic. I absolutely adore the Shankaleesh and the Yogurtulu Ispanaki – the first is a aged goat cheese spread with herbs and spices while the latter is a warm salad of spinach and garlic yogurt. The baklava and rose petal ice cream are a great way to finish off the meal. Their chicken shawarma with a generous dollop of toum takes me back to one of my favourite kebab shops in London!
My go-to place for biryani is Aminia. The flavours are subtle, delicious and not synthetic at all. I love their galouti kebabs which are super-soft and beautifully spiced. They do a special milk paratha which is fabulous and tastes good even on its own. Their firni also gets full marks for taste.
I adore the vibe of the place. I think the pizzas are just fab here – no one can match them. The dough is very authentic – puffy and crisp! And they score huge points for making their own cheese. The pastas and salads are fresh and flavoursome. I love their spaghetti bolognese and the fire of the Bengal pizza. And I find the chocolate mousse super indulgent and delectable.
For Asian it would have to be Yauatcha – I love the dumplings the rice, the noodles, the vegetables, the meat, the poultry, the desserts – basically everything! Their Chicken Peking Dumplings, which come in this amazing broth-like sauce, will blow your mind! The french beans and spicy fried rice are my go-to dishes here, with a huge bowl of the fresh chili soya.
Kookie Jar is my hands-down favourite. It has been so since I was a kid and I think it will be so forever! I love the regular chocolate pastries, the boat, lemon tart and the black forest slice. All the specials they do are great. Their breads and savoury section is really, really good.