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.

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.

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?

Have you been to Lazeez? If you haven’t then I am sure you missed out on great North Indian food. 

You can actually have the fun of having great North Indian food without making big holes in your pocket, as the restaurant is very reasonable. I simply loved the food out there and they have a wide variety of North Indian food.

Even for the fact, Chinese out there is also not a bad bargain but I didn’t like the deco of the restaurant. It’s very pale and gives a very dull feel but then the interiors can be compromised when it comes to good food! What say?

Now you must be wondering that where is La-Zeez? Well the answer is very simple! It is located right next to P. C. Chandra jewelers in Elgin Road.

Have a great time having North Indian food out there.

They have a buffet spread at lunch time which is quite good and very affordable. 

One of my colleagues, he loves to go to BB’s whenever he is in a mood for some excellent food. He simply loved the augratin served there and according to him vegetable kababs were also deliciuos.

Note: Just had a tip from my colleague: BB’s since is located in an official area of Sector V in Salt Lake: so weekdays is very crowdy but on sundays unlike other resturants of Salt Lake it is easy to grab a chair there!

P.S: Try taking your own conveince ifyou are going to BB’s on Sundays,  coz it might be a little difficult to get hold of a cab while coming back!

Enjoy the food out there at BB’s.

The do have Indian food also available but CHINESE simply rocks there! Although I did not have had the chance to have Indian out there…. if you have it then don’t forget to let me know.

You have the option to choose from a wide range of menu. Veg hakka noodles with gravy or without gravy, Manchurian, Chilly Babycorn, Chilly Paneer, American corn are some of my favourites.

Good place for friends and as well as family!

P.S: Don’t miss out on the sweet corn soup else it will be a waste to be at Bar-B-Q.

So if you want to be there and try chinese, then just be there at Park Street and ask anyone for Bar-B-Q, you will come to know where it is or else if you want to find out your own way: then just walk straight from THE PARK HOTTLE towards MUSIC WORLD and you get it on the left.

Have fun!

They have an open kitchen and this friend who really loves Appam was thrilled to see them prepare an Appam right in front of him. 

It’s easily approachable being on the main Sarat Bose Road past Hotel Hamilton when coming from Minto Park. They hold various speciality festivals like Hyderabad festival and coastal Kerala selections. These are great times for people from those areas or those who want to explore them, to come to Tamarind. The place gets lively with authentic posters of local films and is decorated with items that sybolise those areas which they are showcasing.

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.

Why don’t you post a comment and tell us about your favourite dhaba in Kolkata?