Restaurant Review: Bohemian, Kolkata

Location:  

32/4, Old Ballygunge 1st Lane, Ballygunge, Kolkata

Contact : 033 66064206 ext:127

Cuisine: Bengali, Italian

Hours: 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM, 7 PM to 11 PM

Rating: 4/5

Pocket Pinch: 1500 for two people (approx + Tax.)  

If you take the lane just by Chinese Pavilion (known as Bondel Road) on Ballygaunge Phari, come straight and hit on to a small temple, take sharp left and just a minute's distance you will see the small cosy restaurant called Bohemian on the right hand side. This month our Kolkata Food Bloggers' Table meet was destined to Bohemian. We all heard a lot about this one and all good words and praises about the quality of tasty food they serve. So we came here to judge our luck, taste and to review. At first glance the restaurant reminded me the bistros of USA/UK. I was the first one who came a bit before time. We had prior reservation so after entering the attainder directed to our reserved table. We were supposed be 6 but only 4 were able to make it. When we all settled down there was nobody and we were sharing jokes about the reservation et al. But after half n hour we realised how important it was to reserve ones table before. It got too crowded within an hour. The restaurant is very cosy and small allocating 7-8 tables. I loved the hanging exhibition of picture postcards adorning the window panes, the backdrop fountain  with some creepers pouring down behind a huge glass framing and giving the shadow effect of the rippling water. All the wooden table and chairs were decked up methodically with some colourful mix-matched gypsy cushions.

Coolers

Without wasting much time we all four dug in to the Menu Card and placed our first order some coolers for us. Magic Potion @ 139/- (Fruity combination of Pineapple, Mango, Strawberry, orange and Ginger ale), Bloody January @149/- (A chilling combination of tomato juice, red pepper, green chilli and celery salt) and 2 Gondhoraj Julep, each @149/- ( A cranky mix of Gondhoraj Lime, Coriander leaves and lemonade) were served promptly after our order. We four thoroughly enjoyed sipping the refreshing drinks pairing the starter and main course accompanies we ordered for, though A and M said that the corianders in the Gondhoraj Julep were a bit generously given to relish. 

Starter

For starter we went for PaNchphoron flavoured Chicken Escallops and Vodka Soaked Prawns with Grilled Garlic Aioli. Both the dishes were so sumptuous that we finished them in a minute devouring each taste wholeheartedly. The  PaNchphoron flavoured Chicken Escallops was perfectly made. It comes six in a plate, costs 299/- . Each piece enhanced with a mellow flavour of paNchphoron, incorporating with the chicken with a perfect balanced taste that left in the mouth to crave for the second bite immediately. The Vodka Soaked Prawns with Grilled Garlic Aioli was the another starter that we blithely enjoyed. It comes in six separate skewers and costs 399/-. M was allergic towards Prawns so rest of us happily shared her portion. No need not to say that this one too finished in minute and we were lusting for more. The flavour and the taste were so perfectly blended that each bite made to too sumptuous and delicious. 

Bacon wrapped chicken supreme bundles with Aam Kasundi Reduction (comes with rice and boiled veggies)

The main course is served as a single dish. They call it Combos that means it comes with rice and a veggie along with main side dish. So we order 4 separate combos for each one of us. But then realised that 1 combo can be easily divided in to 2, though the rice will be little less for 2 portions.  We all share and tasted each other's ordered dish. Bacon wrapped chicken supreme bundles with Aam Kasundi Reduction, @ 399/- was served along with steamed rice and tossed vegetables. It was delectably made. And I loved the smoky bacon flavour while having each bite with chicken and the aam kasundi gravy.

Bacon Baked Tilapia with Ginger and Fennel (comes with green rice and boiled veggies)

Bacon Baked Tilapia with Ginger and Fennel @399/-, I really liked the dish how the flavour of the Fennel incorporated with dish. A very mild but balanced, the dish really won our heart. They have served the dish with tossed vegetables and coriander buttered rice. The combo altogether blended together justly. 

Royal Bengal Roast Mutton with Bhuna Sauce

Royal Bengal Roast Mutton with Bhuna Sauce @ 469/- was served along with tossed vegetables and rolls with mashed potato. We all enjoyed this taste too. But as I have tasted so much the other food I hardly remember the exact taste of the dish.

Spicy Pork Curry (Anglo-Indian Spices) (comes with rice and boiled veggies)

I ordered for Spicy Pork Curry (Anglo-Indian Spices) - 429/-, though A helped me to select the dish. I was little scared of getting the wild smell from the pork. But to my surprise we didn't get any and above all it was so soft and too tasty. I wanted to finish the whole bowl. But was so full by then have to control myself. This one is also served with steamed rice and wilted greens (I didn't like it though that much).

Gondhoraj Soufflé

Last but not the least now came the turn for the dessert. We were all full and happy souls. There was no space for dessert at all. But it was A's demand that we should at least taste one dish from the tempting dessert spread written in the menu card. So we had Gondhoraj Soufflé @ 219/- on our table. We all attacted the dish and finished it in no time. The rind of Gondhoraj lemon was the main flavour in it. Nice and soft but more like a mousse.

We enjoyed each and every bite from Bohemian. And yes I will visit this place again. What I like most is the unique combination of the Bengali spices with each dish that makes it not also tasty but exotic too. Chef Joy has definitely took the Bengali cusine in to that extend where we can think of experimenting with the famous Bengali spices. And last but the not least I should not forget to mention the homemade chocolates M brought for us. That is so sweet of her as it was her first meet.....