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| Mochar Ghonto |
Bashanter Thali, Lokahaar Restaurant, Kolkata
Lokahaar, a Bengali food restaurant, is celebrating the arrival of spring with a special Bashanter Thali which will be available from 20th February to 31st of March 2016. Even though I have lived all my life in Bengal at max that I have tried Bengali food is once or twice. Apart from the famous “lucchi and cholar dal” (this is an absolute must have!) combo I have had very little interaction with this region’s food and none of it has been memorable. Though I absolutely adore Bengali sweets the food itself was not something that attracted me. Has Lokahaar been able to change that for me? Let’s find out…
Lokahaar is not just a Bengali restaurant but wants to act as a boutique store to promote the best of the state. Here you can find popular handicrafts from different parts of Bengal as well as spices, condiments and even a variety of rice up for sale. There are paintings depicting different ceremonies/processions gracing the door frames. The tables and chairs have colorful carvings on them adding to the quaint charm of the place. The thali costs Rs. 400/- and in the vegetarian version you will get Welcome drink, Plain Rice, Polaayu (sweet pulao meant to go best with the brown curries or meat), Shukto, Kumroh Phooler Bora, Shojne Phooler Bora, Bok Phooler Bora, Choto Alur Dum, Shona Mugh Daal, Mochar Ghonto, Kooler Chaatni and Notun Gurer Paayesh.
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| Shukto |
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| Shona Mugh Daal |
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| Choto Alur Dum |
The meal started with a welcome drink which in this case was a Rose lassi. We were then served a generous helping of the rice with the boras (aka pakoras) along with 4 sabzis and some sweet pulao. I loved the Shukto which is a vegetable stew considered to very healthy. The sharpness of the mustard in it went extremely well with the plain rice. The aloo dum was quite nice and it complimented very well with the slightly sweet pulao. The pulao is actually meant to be had with meat but a vegetarian like me had to make do with the aloo 😀 The dal and Mochar Ghonto (made from banana flowers/buds) were decent. My ultimate love was the Kooler Chutney which was served to us just before the dessert. The sweet-sour combo hit the spot for me as I was taken back to my school days because it was one of my favorite after school indulgences!
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| Polaayu |
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| Kooler Chutney |
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| Notun Gurer Paayesh |
The paayesh was yummy and the perfect end to our meal. Overall you are getting 4 sabzis in the thali and you can ask for additional helpings for the rice. The meal was filling and I couldn’t finish the quantity they served yet I didn’t feel bloated or heavy after it. The place makes you feel as if you are having your food at a friend’s place rather than a restaurant and the owner is very sweet. You can even pre order your food from the menu with them while making your reservation so when you enter it will get served to you fresh and pipping hot. I loved my (what I would consider) proper introduction to Bengali food especially the Shukto had me wanting more and something that I would go back for. If you are in the mood to try out some authentic Bengali food then look no further than Lokahaar for some good less oil/spicy fare. I will catch you soon!
PS – The author was invited by the PR of the restaurant to try out the menu. Views expressed are genuine and the author’s own.
