While a sizeable portion of the country eat their vegetarian, no-onion, no-garlic food through Navaratri or fast throughout the day and eat nothing at all, taking their piety a notch higher, we Bengalis gorge on copious amounts of meaty meals, with spots of vegetarian things thrown in between as accompaniments. Durga Pujo is yet another excuse for a week-long, lavish ‘Pet-Pujo’. The queues outside most restaurants even in the middle of the night, is unbelievable. Be it special buffets, set meals or a jazzed up ala carte menu, happiness is served to those who seek it:D.

I was invited to check out some of the Pujo special menus, and here’s my take on them:

1. Alfresco, The Lalit Great Eastern: 

The pristine white decor with natural light coming through the glass ceiling, the lily pond outside and the great spread, all come together to create a truly calming and enjoyable experience for the diners. The food on offer is a mix of Bengali, Kolkata Chinese, Anglo-Indian and Street Food. And the desserts are a delight too.

Lunch buffet is priced at Rs.1999++ while the midnight buffet is priced at Rs. 999++.

2. Blu, Aauris:

The Pujo Buffet at Aauris will surely be a delight for those who like to relish Bengali food during pujo days. Light on the tummy, yet retaining the festive charm, this is a meal I really enjoyed. The Kosha Mangsho and the Chhanar Payesh stood out as the highlights for me.

3. Oceanic, Peerless Inn:

This restaurant offering North Indian delicacies, is mostly known for its seafood. Their mutton biriyani and Shahi Tukra made me happy too. 

There’s also a cheese platter, fresh juices, a salad bar and sandwiches in the buffet to break the monotony of gravies.

The special Nizam-e-Dawat Buffet priced at Rs.1495++.

4. Barbeque Nation, Park Street:

This chain is the boss of buffets around the year, but for Pujo they are heightening the experience for Kolkatans by a Hilsa Bonanza Festival with a menu which left me salivating.

While the Vegetarian Buffet is priced at Rs. 960++, the Non-Vegetarian one is at Rs. 1100++.

Starter Veg	Starter Non-Veg
Cajun spiced potato	Tandoori pomphret ( fried fish with tarter sauce)
Crispy corn	Ajwaini fish
Crimini mushroom	Chilly garlic prawns
Vegetable chop	Malai chicken
Tandoori bagicha	Mutton badami sheek
Tandoori aloo	Bhatti da murg ( wings)
Paneer nasheman tikka	Soup
Honey chilly pine apple	Lemon coriander chicken soup
Extra veg ( crispy fried babycorn, dahi ke sholey, veg spring roll, mochar chop)	Tomato basil soup
Main course veg	Main course non veg
Veg biriyani / pulao	Mutton biriyani
Luchi + chana dal	Kosha mangsho
Gobhi chandan bhog	Murg lababdar
Jhinga aloopposto ( dinner) / sukhto (lunch)	Chingri malaikari
Dhokar dalna	Hilsa bhapa
Doi patal	Sweet / desert
Faldari kofta	Rasagolla
Kadhai paneer	Misti doi
Dal mukhorochak	Payesh
	Angoori gulab jamun
	Chocolate brownie
	Fruit truffle
	Cassata pastry
	Cut fruits
	Vanilla / butter scotch ice cream

 

5. Ego, Peerless Inn:

The lounge bar known for its finger food and well-stacked bar, is geared up for the Pujo too. This will be a good haunt for peeps looking for something different than the heavy Indian meals typically associated with the festival, and are looking for a good adda session with a couple of drinks and a Chinese spread.

The Chinese Buffet at Ego is priced at Rs. 1275++ without alcohol. Alcohol may be added to the meal at a not-so-steep fixed price.

6. Aaheli, Peerless Inn:

For me the Bengali Thali at Aaheli is nostalgia as this was a must in my family’s Durga Pujo diary every year. The quality of food and the warm hospitality justifies the price charged.

The Vegetarian Thali is priced at Rs.1255++ and the Non-Vegetarian Thali is at Rs.1895++.

For me, it’s time for some serious Pet Pujo, bye!