Poila Boishakh Menu Preview at ITC Sonar, Kolkata

"My favourite Bengali dishes are Begun Bhaja (Brinjal fry), Luchi (Puri) and Aloor Chachhari (a speciall bengali curry with potato)…" Said Chef  Gaurav Lavania, Sr. Sous Chef at the hotel. 

A true Bengali Platter to celbrate Poila Boishak

When the Bengali dishes come from a Non- Bengali Chef, it becomes more interesting how authentic way he can present it and at the same time  challenging  too.  Hailed from UP and Married to a Bengali he did lot of research works, digging down the old hand written recipes - getting the translated versions of it, interacting with his customers then it became more easy to plan a menu for one of the famous Bengali festivity seasons, that proudly welcome our own Bengali New year "Poila Boishak". Getting an invitation from ITC Sonar to the Kolkata Food Bloggers group, a set of five KFBians reached the ITC Sonar to attend the press meet arranged over an array of Bengali delicacies that are ready to serve to celebrate Poila Boishak. Checking on the Menu it got our attention that the Chef team has tried to cover most of the famous Bengali delicacies which are very common in our daily Bengali platter at our home and also we love to have those on any celebration. One gets welcomed by the ever refreshing quenchers like  Gondhoraj Lassi, Duber Jol (Coconut Water) or Pora Aamer Shorbot (Roasted Raw Mango Drink). You will get the delicacies like Mochar Ghonto, Shukto, Thorer CheNchki, Chholar Dal, Chhanar Paturi, Cholar Dal Narkol Diye, Jhuri Aloo Bhaja, etc from the Vegetarian Section and from Non-Veg section you will have  Bhetki Machher Paturi, Chingri Triguna Bhaja, Kosha Mangsho, Chingri Malaykari, Rui machher Kalia and those who are allergic to seafood are complemented with a flavourful Chicken dish. The Chef shared that he loves most to the Chicken dish is on the offering and my fellow bloggers appreciated that too.  Even on the Buffet spread few more dishes are going to be added like : Bengali  specialties­ - Bodi  diye  Pabda Maccher  Jhal (Fish Dish),  Sorse  Chingri (Mustard Prawn),  Kochi  Pathar  Jhol (Mutton Dish),  Korai  Suti  Monger  Dal, Aloo Phoolkopir Dalna, Enchorer Kalia (Jackfruit Curry) and Doi Begun (Bringjal in Yogurt) etc. As the palate cleanser the Aamsotto  Kejhurer Chatni is on the menu. In the dessert section the menu has been designed keeping in mind the famous sweet delicacies from a Bengali Kitchen. More surprisingly one will get to taste the Nolen Gurer Payesh on this off season of Nolen Gur.  Rajbhog and Chhanar Jilibi are there to make it a cherry on the top. As long as the taste of the food is concerned it is delectable though you will get different flavour here mainly I found in the Veg delicacies that is not common in our Bengali Kitchen. Upon asking that the Chef replied- if you get the same taste out here then what is the point of spending money it.  Apart from all the drool worthy delicacies the most captivating aura of dining out specially on this Poila Boishakh day is to be having the foods served on beautiful earthen terracotta lined with Banana Leaves utensils with the Lebu-Lanka(Lemon & Green Chili) and Papad. Don't Forget the Gorom Gorom (Warm) Luchi & Ghee Bhat to pair with the main course. Along with the True Bengali dishes it creates a true Bengali cultural atmosphere that represents our ancient traditional heritage. Likewise the name ITC Sonar suggests to represent our Sonar Bangla's Food and Culture which are nothing but a spirit of the city  stands with a water-filled space of 120 meters long . It tries to represent the ancient Baganbari spirit -a confluence of its people, their culture and their symbols.
Among all I liked most the Luchi & Kosha Mangsho.

Gondhoraj Lassi

Chingri Triguna Bhaja (Prawn Fried with Poppy Seeds, Sesame Seeds and Nigell/ Onion Seeds/Kalo Jeera/Kalonji)

Bhetki Machher Paturi

Rui Machher Kalia, Chingri Malaykari & Kosha Mangsho

Luchi, Cholar Dal, & Mochar Ghonto

Rui Macher Kalia & Chingri Malaykari

Aloo Posto

Nolen Gurer Payesh, Chhanr Jilipi & Rajbhog

 The Poila Baishak Food Fest continues: 11th April to 19th April'14 (Dinner Buffet. On 15th Both Lunch and Dinner Buffet)

Venue: Eden Pavilion

Pocket Pinch: Rs 2000 plus applicable taxes with soft beverages and INR 2750 

plus taxes for unlimited premium brands of select alcohol .

Timings: 12:30­ 2:45 pm and 7:30 to 11:45 pm 

For more pictures please visit HERE....

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[Disclaimer: This is an Invited Review and solely based on the author's honest experience . No monetary benefit is included]