Colourful things to own this monsoon...AND its cheap !!

It has been raining on and off in Kolkata these days.Yes, this is season of gloomy cloudy days, humidity and like I say "kich-kich" on the streets. Though, sitting with a good book by the window with a cup of ginger tea looks to be perfect thing to do this season,as working women, we all need to step out.

But then, we can all step out in style ;) You don't really have to burn a hole in your pockets for that ! Trust the good old street markets of Kolkata to do that magic for you ! I checked out some stuff during one of my brief visits on a rainy Saturday afternoon and found some real gems :)

Here are the 4 things that caught my fancy :

1. Lovely transparent umbrellas: New market is filled with some lovely umbrellas which are transparent. Check out the lane near Aminia. These umbrellas are in fashion and look super cool. Well, I can't really guarantee if they can keep you dry but they can atleast keep you stylish :P 
And guess the price ? Just for 100 bucks, these umbrellas are a steal ! *thumbsup*

Umbrella

2. Funky footwear: Shoes, shoes and more shoes !! Every year the variety of shoes available during the monsoons just gets better. Colourful bellies, stylish sneakers to amazing chappals, you name it and you will get it. All of them are priced between Rs.100- Rs.350 at Metro Plaza. This is amazing news for every girl :)

My friend and I couldn't get enough of them. It took a great deal of self-control  difficult to just pick up 3 pair of shoes. :D

Shoes from Metro Plaza!!! :)

3. Colourful scarves and stoles : These are a must have accessory in any season. They can add a lot of drama to an otherwise dull outfit. In the monsoons also it helps in a lot of ways, be it covering you up when you accidently get drenched or by keeping your head dry when you forget your umbrella at home. Scarves and stoles come in a variety of fabrics and colours and are priced between Rs.80 - Rs.200(the dupattas) at New Market. Make sure you bargain well.

Scarves and Stoles

4. Bangles: Monsoon or not, bangles are a girl's favourite accessory. Glass bangles, metal bangles, wooden and plastic bangles, check out New Market for some of the best collections. At Rs. 20- 40 per dozen for the simple ones, here is how you can jazz up your outfits 

Glass Bangles

5. Useful totes : Monsoons are when you need to carry a whole lot of things in your handbag. From an umbrella to hand sanitizers to even an extra top, you need a spacious tote to safely tuck everything in and keep them dry. Just be careful while choosing the material of your handbag. Go for faux leathers or the shiny ones (not sure what the material is called). Steer clear away from the cloth ones. Mostly priced between Rs. 450 - Rs. 700, it all depends on the style, the material and your bargaining skills ! Check out BK Market and New Market for some of the hottest trends.

Photo courtesy: pinterest.com

Things I Love Doing In The Monsoons

Rains have a special meaning in all our lives. For some it spells romance while for others, its all about Chai and pakoras.Some love curling up in bed and listen to some soft music. Ask bongs and they will tell you how rains mean Khichdi and Ilish ;) 

It has special meaning in all our lives which is difficult to pen down. I am not specifically a fan of the monsoons when I am on the move. I am out of home for some 8-9 hours everyday, constantly in and out of office for events and meetings. When you are expected to turn up for meetings, looking your best and well groomed, it is very difficult to keep your shoes clean and trousers/kurtis clean in this season no matter which mode of transport you try ! It is essentially the season of "kich-kich" for me. My skin and hair starts to get a mind of their own.

But when indoors, the concept of monsoon completely changes for me. Rainy weekends for me mean cups and cups of ginger green tea, pakoras(well, this season I am controlling myself and have kept the numbers very low! Yes, that's a lifestyle change you need to make when you are in your twenties and are putting on weight every day :X)  
Add to that a good book or a mushy romcom and your life is set. 

I guess that's a rare luxury for me when I have exactly nothing to do and I can laze around as much as I want. All thanks to Client events !! But whenever I get that opportunity, I just grab it. 


There is nothing like going on a long drive in this season. The feeling of the monsoon breeze in your hair and face while the car races down a rain-swept road. Add to that a great companion :) If you know me personally, you would know I hail from the steel city of Jamshedpur. I loved doing this in my childhood in the clean green roads of my hometown. These are lovely memories that I will cherish all my life and that writing about that place makes me miss it more !

Sleeping is another "must do" thing in the monsoons. There is nothing like it when there is a cool breeze outside and you can just comfortably sleep after a long day at work.

I hope all of you enjoy the weather in your own special way :) Have a great rainy season !!

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Masterclass By Zomato on Father's Day at Smoke House Deli

Zomato Masterclasses are always fun. But,this time it was special. It was for Father's Day and my dad was invited to be a part of the masterclass ! Ever since my dad said yes for the event, I knew this will be a memory to cherish forever. :) My dad was rather excited to know the kind of blogging events I attend.

The Masterclass was hosted by Smoke House Deli at Quest Mall.When we entered the place, there were around 7-8 bloggers and Zomato reviewers present along with their dads.And, all of them having a great time interacting with Chef and their kids.

All the dads including my father were happily interacting with one another though they were all meeting for the first time. It was a humbling experience to see how they made friends in a jiffy, all thanks to their sheer simplicity.

Chef Fatik Mir taught us to make some simple dips and sandwiches. They even showed how we can put together some quick and refreshing drinks like cold coffee :) They had also organized simple contests for the dads where they had to identify simple ingredients and herbs. My dad, being the expert cook that he is, won this contest ! Yay ! And that won us a meal voucher :)

Then came the food spread. Thankfully, the menu was healthy with light sandwiches. I just wish there was more variety :)

It was a great evening with all fellow bloggers and their dads. A big thank you to Zomato for conceptualizing this event and having us over for this event. My dad had a great time and it was the best gift I could give him for Father's Day :)

The Great Awadhi Biriyani Festival at Oudh 1590

The Great Awadhi Biriyani Festival at Oudh 1590

Kolkata's love affair with Biriyani is extremely difficult to explain. Calcuttans are very particular about their biriyanis. If they don't see an aloo in their plate of biriyani, they confidently proclaim the biriyani not up to the mark :P well, that's the identity of Kolkata biriyani.

Every Calcuttan has his/her list of favourite joints and very few new joints in the city have been able to make inroads into that list. One of such restaurants, which enjoy a place of honour in that list is, Oudh 1590. 

Founded by brothers, Shiladitya and Debaditya, Oudh has been a favourite for their galauti kebabs. The biriyanis along with soft juicy portions of meat come a close second. Not only does Oudh bring the best of Awadhi cuisine to Kolkata, it also focusses on the period dining experience. The moment you enter the place, the dimmed red lights and wall graffiti showcasing the rich culture and heritage of Lucknow take you to a different era altogether.

Oudh 1590

The period dining experience at Oudh1590

When I was invited to sample the Great Awadhi Biriyani festival, which is an annual affair at Oudh 1590, I knew this will be a superb experience. They had an array of biriyanis on offer - incorporating vegetables, meat and fish to make this a wholesome affair. 

We sampled the following: The classic Yakhni Gosht Biriyani cooked to perfection with the meat super juicy and soft, the Keema Biriyani, the Awadhi Nargisi biriyani which had egg wrapped in a layer to minced meat, The Gomti Mahi Pulao which is traditionally prepared from fishes of the Gomti river and had a hint of gondhoraaj lemon to add that bengali touch to it. Frankly, I am not very fond of fish biriyanis and this time also, the mahi biriyani did not appeal to me so much! 

Gosht Bhuna Khichdi

The winner among all the dishes was the Gosht Bhuna Khichdi - a rice and lentil dish cooked with boneless mutton pieces. Oh, this was pure pleasure ! With oodles of ghee, this was sinful yet we couldn't resist having second and third servings because of the pure pleasure that this dish was :)

Then there is Aawadhi Palak Biriyani and the Subz Kofta Biriyani to keep the vegetarians happy. Though I am not someone to sample a vegetarian biriyani, I have to admit the Subz Kofta Biriyani was good !

It was a great evening with all fellow bloggers and yummy food :)

Oudh 1590 outlets in Kolkata - Deshapriya Park and Salt Lake Sector 1.

Ramazan Food Walk through Zakaria Street in Kolkata

Today's post is more of my experience of exploring the nooks and corners of Kolkata! This food walk through Zakaria Street is my first experience of any such food walk in the city. So hope you enjoy reading through this. As always, feedback and suggestions are welcome :)

If you have known me personally, you would know that I am born and brought up in the beautiful steel city of Jamshedpur. Therefore, having spent some time in Kolkata, I still have loads to discover in the city of joy. Though I have always known Kolkata as a foodie's heaven, this food walk was still a surprise for me.

 When my colleague, Anushka, suggested that we should go for this food walk, I was very skeptical as I am allergic(if you may use this word to describe my mindset in this case) to crowded places :P . But I was almost adamant to explore the city! Located in a tiny pocket of north Kolkata near Chitpur, you almost have to push your way into the narrow alley. 

Kebabs at Zakaria Street

Once you enter the place, you know you have just stumbled upon a non-vegetarian's paradise. Kebabs, haleem, biryani, desserts, sewai, biscuits - you name it and you get it in Zakaria Street. You will find countless shops selling delicious kebabs, cooked right in front of your eyes. 

Kebabs at Zakaria Street

Be it malai/ noorani/ tikka/ hariyali kebabs or chicken 65, you get all of them at extremely affordable rates. :)  After sampling almost all, I loved chicken noorani kebabs the most. It had minced chicken with spices  and almost melted in the mouth. My parents loved them too :) Chicken 65, a south Indian delicacy with loads of spices and deep fried came a close second ! Hariyali also is a winner in itself. The shopkeepers were also very generous and encouraged us to try almost all kebabs with a generous helping of green chutney and salad while patiently explaining the cooking process

Chicken Noorani kebabs in the making

A close friend suggested that one should definitely taste chicken changezi when at Zakaria street. This is chicken marinated with spices and then deep fried. They are mostly sold in kilograms. Honestly, I had so much that there was no space for chicken changezi. 

The helpful shopkeeper at Zakaria Street

The haleem too was good. The meat was soft and was served in earthern pots which gave it a nice flavour. There are several shops and makeshift stalls selling haleem and biriyani. But as everyone knows, the biriyani at Aminia and Zeeshan is legendary. 

We also tried the firni at Zeeshan. Served in an earthen pot again, you can not really miss this when on this food walk. Roohafza or red sherbet is an integral part of this walk, though we gave it a miss as we could not risk having the water they were using :P .In case you are the adventurous soul with a strong immunity, you might want to give this is a try. But I would certainly not recommend this on my blog ! Contaminated water is a strict no -no !

Firni At Zeeshan, Zakaria Street - Kolkata

Not only did we gorge on all of these delicacies, we also packed a lot of things for home :)

Overall, this was a discovery in itself. I hope they were available all around the year so that I could easily satisfy my kebab cravings at unbelievable prices. 

I would like to share some tips for first timers like me:

1. Ramazan month is usually hot and humid in Kolkata. Remember to carry a bottle of water

2. Try and sample a little bit of each variety. 

3. Remember it is a narrow lane; hence keep yourself mentally prepared

4. Talk to the shopkeepers as much as possible, they give you the best nuggets of information about the custom and the dish

5. Its a long walk so remember to dress comfortably 

I would love to hear about your experiences of Zakaria street. If you are a Kolkatan, you might have a lot of suggestions and stories to tell me. I am very excited to hear/read about all of them :)

The new restopub in town - Bodega Cantina Y Bar at Park Street

Bodega Cantina Y Bar

Bodega Cantina Y Bar is the newest restopub in the heart of the city - Park Street. Located right opposite Allen Park, the restaurant impresses you by its interiors. A brainchild of Urvika Kanoi and Akash Jaiswal, the interiors are beautifully curated and hand picked during their trips all over the world.

The place is done up with quirky elements like the red container sheet which doubles up as a wall, the graffiti, the interesting cans, books and posters that adorn the wall shelves. Overall it adds a personal touch to the place.

The Bright and Quirky decor at Bodega

Interestingly, its the first place to introduce the community seating concept in Kolkata. Spread across an expansive area of 2700 sq feet, Bodega is divided into two levels- the ground floor houses the bar and instantly creates a fun and groovy setting. The furniture cannot go unnoticed with an interesting collection of warehouse chairs, décor tiles from Lebanon, Morocco and Turkey, and even the crockery is customized and unique. Exposed brick walls form a canvas showcasing the work of various Indian artists that are picturesque and meaningful.

Interesting coasters

The best part is that the place has a personal touch to it and all the little things tell a story, which adds to the charm of the place. If you happen to meet Urvika or Akash during one of your visits to the place, try asking them about the tiny showpieces on the wall shelves and you might just come across a great story.

Ground floor area of Bodega

The food spread is a modern take on all cuisines with special emphasis on Italian, Mexican and Asian Cuisine. From fritters to crostinis, you get a lot of variety here to satisfy all your cravings, The drinks are served in an interesting way, I especially liked the Bengal Mary and the Great Gatsby. The chicken crostinis and the veg spring rolls were quite good. The glass potatoes were also interesting ! But of course, there is scope for improvement when it comes to food. It will be unfair on my part to write too much on food because we sampled only a few items from their menu. Probably, will write more on that once I sample more from their menu.

Chicken Crostini

The Great Gatsby

Fritters (Pic courtesy: Indrajit Lahiri of  https://mohamushkil.wordpress.com/ )

What impressed me most was the thoughtfully designed invite. Very rarely do you find restaurants putting so much thought into invites and return gifts.Like the restaurant, the invites were something very warm :)

A lovely evening with fellow bloggers : Debjani, Devpurna and Indrajit

This is a good place if you are looking spend some quality time interacting with your friends. You might probably find yourself in an interesting discussion on food and travel. I had a lovely evening with fellow bloggers - Debjani di of kitchenofdebjani.com, Indrajit Da of https://mohamushkil.wordpress.com/ and Devpurna of https://bitechompgulp.com/ - full of gossip, laughter and of course food :)

P.S : I was invited to the launch party; honest views :)

4 "Healthier" Street Food Options Available In Kolkata

We don't really co-relate street food and health at all. But, unfortunately for us working professionals, there are days when we spend the entire day outside and it is not possible for us to carry lunch every day.Those are the days when we don't really have an option but to satisfy our hunger pangs by having street food :) 
Sometimes we just gorge on street food just to cater to the needs of our taste buds :P ;) 

However, there are a few "comparatively healthier" options available to us which makes us feel a little less guilty. These are the ones which satisfy our cravings yet are little less "Junk", hence the word "comparatively healthier" :P

Let's look at some options available to us Calcuttans :

1. The Humble Ghugni : Ghughni is a popular street snack in Kolkata. It is basically dried white peas cooked in gravy and is usually served hot. This is then served with onions, tomatoes and green chillies or with aloo tikki. While having it with tikki, just make sure to instruct the vendor to use less oil to fry the tikkis :)
P.S: This can be easily cooked at home !!

Ghugni (Pic Courtesy: www.peekncook.com)

2. Steamed Momos : A lot of momo places have sprawled in every nook and corner of Kolkata. Momos are a famous Tibetan delight, which has minced chicken wrapped in flour and steamed. There are pan fried variants available as well but its better to avoid them when the steamed one can taste just as good. Momos are usually accompanied with soup and a spicy sauce. It is better to avoid the soup for hygiene issues. Trust me, it is extremely difficult to do for a soup lover like me.

Steamed Momos

3. Dosas and Idlis : They are my favourites. They make the best breakfast and lunch options. Not just are they healthy, they are yummy. I love sada dosa with loads of onions and green chillies. Just request your vendor to use less of oil, and you have had a fulfilling, guiltfree meal.

Masala Dosa

4. Jhalmuri and Sprouted Chana: You can easily spot a jhalmuri vendor every 5 mins in an office area. They sell puffed rice with onions, chillies, tomatoes, spike of lemon and spices. Then there are sprouted chana vendors They are the healthiest and keeps both your tummy and taste buds happy. Whats the bonus? Prices start at just Rs.5.

The pic I am sharing here is that of the Jhalmuri I made at home one rainy evening :)

Jhalmuri