Dosa-idli-vada has to be one of the most popular restaurant food choices in the city. But if you're up for a dramatic twist to the simple vegetarian tiffin fare from South India, you'd have to head to Kolkata's newest South Indian joint Naariyal Paani. No, we're not talking about fusion food, but something much more fantastic to wow your senses.
Go Shotgun Murugan With Bubble Dosa And Jalebi Caviar At Naariyal Paani
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What Makes It Awesome
A wooden Kathakali dancer welcomes you in when you enter and that should be clue enough about the touch of drama at this place. Inside you will find vintage rickshaw carriages serving as booths with colourful birds perched on top and brilliant colours of gold, green, red and yellow around. If that's not enough to heighten your senses then wait for the food to arrive.
We had the utterly soft Shotgun Murugan (podi idli) which came in a wooden casserole with a Kathakali face atop and woodchip smoke billowing out of it. The Waffle Dosa was made in a bubble waffle iron and came stuffed with veggies and cheese. The unusual presentation is carried on to the coconut idlis, prepared and served in coconut shells with a tangy tomato-coconut chutney.
Owner and Master Chef India participant Chef Rashi has gone all out to add a twist of molecular gastronomy to South Indian cuisine. When you order their house-special jalebi caviar a live station is created for you. Caviars of jalebi get dipped into kesar syrup and woodchip smoke. The rose ice cream is also made from scratch right in front of you with rose petals and smoke.
You will be glad to know that that all this comes at pretty nominal prices. Month-end blues are not a big deal now because everything here is priced within INR 150! And every table has a complimentary mineral water for guests.
Pro-Tip
It's closed on Mondays. So save yourself a treat for the rest of the week.