I love their Kesaria Rabri, Jodhpuri mirch pakoda, mini gulab jamun, almond laddoo with chocolate sauce on top – well the list goes on and on. They even have a hot dishes counter near the front-gate. However I do wish they also carried the Kesaria ice-cream as they do in the Kankurgachi outlet.

In my humble opinion, Bhikharam’s bhujia snacks are better and fresher compared to Haldiram’s and you are well advised to try them the next time you are shopping at the City Centre.

Located nicely, bang opposite the RDB Boulevard, at the ground floor, it has opened very recently and therefore some of the stalls were not even open. But lots of choices were still available. The pasta and pizza stall, the south Indian fare, chats of Kolkata were all there. There is a special counter for shakes and drinks (no hard drinks naturally).

I must specially mention the Biryani and Rolls counter which are the biggest pull for a Calcuttan. Don’t we just love the rolls and mutton biryani.

If you hurry, you can still catch the introductory 20% discount on all items. Check out the place – you should enjoy there.

I recently saw in a newspaper that Ambuja Realty has unveiled their new, all-white (Afraa means white) restaurant and got excited to try it out. I was sceptic of getting a quick seat on a Sunday evening, but took a chance anyway hoping that not-too many people have heard about it. I was surprised to see a fairly large number of people already dining out. You can’t keep a good thing hidden for long.

2 things struck me immediately upon entry. The layout is well spread out and there are multiple pockets of a few tables each. You don’t get to see a large number of tables lined up and this gives you a much better sense of privacy. The interiors are simple and elegant and mostly in white to justify the name. I cannot but mention the wall decoration with glass jars which looks quite striking. If you can, try to get a seat with a view of the Kund area of the City Centre – it looks great from up there.

The menu spread was a little sparse and on asking about it, the manager advised that they will be adding several more items once the lounge bar opens by end-March. The choice is varied with Continental items ruling the list. There are a few Indian and Chinese items also. This being a new place for us and because of our strict vegetarian preferences, we asked the floor manager to suggest some good dishes and I must say, we were delighted by the items he got for us.

There was a surprise waiting for us after the dessert – they offered us some really cool chocolate dipped paan. I do not know if this is just an introductory offer or they intend to continue offering these but you should really like them.

At the end, we took a prevew tour of the fabulous lounge below and I will be talking about that in a future post. Meanwhile if you are thinking of visiting Afraa, it is on the 7th floor of the G-block (the block with Fern and Petals near the car entry gate). Enjoy and do post a comment here after you come back.

Ok, let me tell you the open secret I am talking about the thousands of Durga Puja pandals that have sprung up on the roads, in the parks, in the various complexes and even private houses. These are heavily decorated, themed and house the Goddess supreme, Ma Durga who is always reminding us the good always wins over evil.

Almost everyone who lives in Calcutta or is here on a vacation, is out on the streets, hopping from one pandal to the next, appreciating the themed decoration and the blessings that Mother is showering on the devotees. Children are busy buying toys and street hawkers and roadside stalls are serving fast food for the hungry souls who have walked miles and miles forgetting the tiredness in the excitement.

The TV channels are vying with each other to cover the largest number of Pujas, and conferring a variety of awards to the deserving and the smart alecs are cashing in by running in SMS contests.

Do you miss the Puja fun and frolic? The community food, dressing up and roaming the streets all night, the adda and sneaking a look at that flame? Share your feelings with us and lighten up. We will pass these on to Ma Durga.

Sorry I have not visited this outlet yet, so I cannot give you a first hand report. If you have been there, why don’t you share your experience with us by posting a comment below?

The best part about Gautam’s is, it is open late nights also. So in case you want to go for a drive with friends, cousins or family and want to sip coffee or tea then Gautam’s is the ideal place to be. It has got number of shops lined up. Coffee out there is amazing and along with it you can go for some good snacks as well.

Go there with friends or cousins and you come to know what fun you can have.

N.B: Gautam’s is very much addictive! So watch out before going. You may land up going there quite often!

Barista is my favorite hangout when I am with friends and it is again a favorite hangout for people who wish to spend sometime with their loved ones and no one else!

Barista has got a number of outlets in Calcutta but my all time favorite remains Park Street outlet just opposite to Oxford Book Store or the Park Hotel. Recently they have come up with a new outlet next to the back gate of Forum in Elgin road.

The two hot coffees, Café Mocha and Cappuccino out there at Barista remains an all time favorite. And how can I forget black forest and the brownie with ice cream?!? They are simply irresistible! And the sandwiches available there are even good bargain for the amount of money you give. Try out the iced tea as well but lemon flavor. Other flavors are not that good.

The ambience at Barista is so soothing with the soft music being played in the background that you don’t at all feel uncomfortable sitting there and spending time with who ever he/she might be!

Mind you: At Barista, you have to help yourself.

Have fun!

When you go to CCD, don’t forget to try out Chococino and Devil’s own with cream and chocolate sauce. Its YUM…. Well snacks are also available out there but I don’t like the sandwiches and the pizza at these outlets. Cafe Frappe rocks as a light drink, specially if you are looking for something cool to quench your thirst. Love it friend

If you love to hangout with friends, family, cousins and all, then you should be at FORUM. It is right next to the most happening college of Kolkata, BHAWANIPUR COLLEGE ( Being a student of the college.. am a little partial towards it! )

Forum has got everything: from shopping outlets to food joints to gaming parlours to movie halls. I really doubt if it missed out on anything!

Out of all, Shopper’s Stop is the ultimate shopping destination; atleast for me! But outlets of Levi’s, Spykar, United Colors of Benetton etc should not be missed out. Now if you love designer stuff and brand conscious (and belong to the fairer sex), then don’t forget to check out on Ritu Kumar’s Collection, Satya Paul and a few more to add on the list.

Tie Bar in the ground floor has a marvellous collection of ties and they have a wide range for you to choose one to suit your budget. 

You know there is an amazing game parlour on the fourth floor right next to the Inox ticket counter. And while on the topic of Inox how can I not talk about it!

You might have heard about Inox movie hall already but still I would like to throw some light on it. Well the movie hall is on the sixth floor but the ticket counter is on the fourth floor. They have got four movie screens running simultaneously; so if you don’t get the ticket for one show the other show is definitely waiting for you!

Note: Outside food is not allowed in there: not even a bottle of water but the canteen up there is good. I specially like the cheese popcorn and the coffee but mind you, they serve coffee without sugar, so don’t forget to ask them for sugar! This makes me remember that Bombay Sandwhich is also a good bargain.

Hey, don’t you forget to check out CORNS and ICE CREAM BALLS on fourth floor. They are simply mouth watering and now something for people who love to have MEMORABILIAs.

Just opposite to the corn and ice cream ball counter is a stall where you can get black and white sketch of yourself or with your loved one… and that too in less than two minutes! Isn’t that amazing?

Talking about all these, I have started feeling a litte hungry and this makes me remember some of the food joints like Starstruck, Oh calcutta etc. But a person like me who loves to have variety of food, BURP: the food court on fifth floor is the ultimate choice.

Don’t forget to check out Mongolian noodles and Crispy Chilly Babycorn of Hamingkok in Burp and not to forget the sandwiches of Stun the Sun.

But ya dont try your hands in having coffee from the south indian joint; it will be a mere disappointment!

Another Note: you can’t pay in cash o the individual counters! You have to have a Burp card to fill your stomach but no issues about that. Burp cards are readily available at the two cash counters!

Happy shopping! Don’t forget to add your experience by putting in a comment below.