Bengali cuisine is as rich and diverse as its culture. If you explore the state, you will find some unique recipes in every nook and corner. This makes it impossible for us to experience Bengali cuisine in one go. Be it vegetarian dishes or meat-based or seafood dishes – the options are numerous, leaving us spoiled for choices. In fact, modern Bengali cuisine can be defined as the union of various food cultures including Bangladeshi (then East Bengal), Mughlai, Marwari, English and others. Celebrating the beauty of multi-cultural Bengal, The Oberoi Gurgaon brings to you some classic Bengali cuisine with its ongoing food fest, titled Kolkata Classics.
As the name suggests, the festival celebrates the eclectic cuisine of Kolkata with a fusion of Bengali home-style classics. Curated by food historian Pritha Sen, it showcases family favorites and heritage traditions.
We recently visited The Oberoi, Gurgaon to try out the Kolkata classics and we felt it was a pure delight. Meals were divided into ‘Veg Thali’, ‘Meat Thali’ and ‘Fish Thali’ – each of which was a complete three-course meal with various delicious vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Unbeknownst to a quintessential Bengali household, even a non-vegetarian meal includes some vegetarian dishes. Keeping the tradition in mind, Ms. Pritha Sen tried to present it in each and every thali.
We tried the fish and meat platter and here it is all covered. Both plates had the same beginnings – Khoi Er Bora (home-style fritters made from puffed rice), Matsya Lebu Kebab (pan-fried fish kebabs made with Gondraj lime zest and aromatic spices) and Mangsho Pitha (spicy pulled chicken, smoked). ) in sal leaves). Each of these dishes was delicious, aromatic yet comforting to the original.
Continuing on the main course, the fish platter includes – Daler Borer Til Jhol (Lentil fritters dipped in sesame gravy), Doi Potol (Parwal made in curd gravy), Machi Kalia (made from Rohu fish), Chingri Macher Malaikari (coconut prawn curry), Ilish Bhape (Hilsa marinated in mustard and steamed in banana leaves), Chola Dal and Bhaja.
On the other hand, the meat thali includes – palong chinar kofta (palak-chena kofta dipped in coconut milk gravy), doi potol, murnar jhol (home-style chicken curry with potatoes and thin gravy), kosha mangsho (slow Speed cooked meat) in Bengali garam masala), Hansher Dim Er Paturi (Duck Egg Marinated and Roasted in Banana Leaf), Chole Dal and Bhaja.
Both the plates were accompanied by rice, luchi, chutney, papad and shahi ghee (ghee with whole garam masala).
Looks gorgeous, doesn’t it? We must say, each of these dishes were rich, home-style and provided flavor to our palate.
No sumptuous meal can end without some sweets at the end. It was no different for this sumptuous meal. Desserts for both the thalis include Baked Rasgulla, Baked Sandesh, Kheer Kodombo, Patishpata and Mishti Doi Ice Cream – the classic Bengali mishti.
If this sumptuous meal is making you drool, then we suggest visiting The Oberoi, Gurgaon and try it for yourself. Trust us this dining experience is sure to break the traditional notion of what Bengali cuisine is!
Where: Three Sixty Degrees, The Oberoi Gurgaon
When: September 9, 2021 – September 19, 2021 (lunch and dinner)
Cost: Meat and Seafood Thali – INR 2750, Vegetarian Thali – INR 2500
.