Biswa Bangla Gate, the gateway to our city has an oval-shaped hanging restaurant, perched at a height of 55 metres. This steel and glass structure is a unique addition to the many architectural marvels of the city, the facade is made of toughened glass with laminated silicone sheets that can withstand gale-force winds, hailstorms, and extreme heat.
With a glittering 360-degree panoramic view of the city, the restaurant has a capacity to seat about 72 people. Although rumour has it that it’s a revolving restaurant, but allow us to put that to rest. Only diners are allowed in the gallery between 7 PM to 10 PM, after which the entry to Biswa Bangla Gate closes for visitors.
Coming to the food, the multi-cuisine delicacies dished out are surprisingly delicious, are prepared in a kitchen on the ground floor and sent up by the service elevator. The menu has a fair variety ranging from soups to pasta to kebabs to Chinese. Do remember to end your meal with the refreshing daab ice cream. A meal for two should set you back by about INR 1,000.
The inside walls are adorned with murals of all things quintessentially Calcutta—Ma Durga, a cute sketch of a Bengali Bor-Bou, a hand-pulled rickshaw with Howrah Bridge in the background, portraits of legendary personalities of Bengal, and even the Royal Bengal Tiger. The soft light emanating from battery-powered candles within the gallery adds to the ethereal experience. Oh, and we almost forgot, there is free WiFi too!