Diwali, or the Hindu festival of lights, signifies the triumph of good over evil. It is construed as an embodiment of the light of God prevailing over darkness. In the light of current circumstances, the tone and tenor of this year’s Diwali entails more significance than it ever did. Hauled into a maelstrom of obscurity, we are reeling from the ravages of a pandemic inflicted by the novel coronavirus. The outbreak has crippled our economy and disintegrated our social lives. A tenebrous spectre looms over our heads as we grapple for survival and sustenance.
Amidst such a gloom-ridden time, the lights and fireworks of Diwali will spiritually uplift our hopes in eradicating the evil, much like the execution of the ten-headed demon king Ravana in the hands of Hindu deity Lord Rama, which, in essence, forms the religious significance of this festival. But the celebration of Diwali not only involves the ubiquitous illumination, firecrackers, and oil lamp and Rangoli decorations, but it also occasions the feasting on our favourite Diwali sweets and desserts.
Let us have a look at some hand-picked restaurants and pubs, which are serving some Diwalispecial desserts. Add to that some exceptional cocktails that will ensure that the unrelenting grueling phase we are going through right now won’t dampen this year’s festivities.
THE LORDS AND BARONS
The Lords and Barons is an exceptional amalgamation of the neo-olden nostalgia of pre-colonial British Calcutta and an avant-garde cuisine that takes inspiration from the palate of medieval times while infusing contemporary herbs and spices. The décor is reminiscent of the architectural elements of the Victorian age, and the archetypal Brit Pub feel runs in the veins of every nook and corner of this one-of-a-kind restaurant. The variety of desserts and cocktails on offer is exemplary, with the highlight being the Diwali special cocktail termed as Kesariya Diwali. Some of the mouth-watering desserts you can try are the traditional Rustic Apple Cobbler, Chocolate Rainbow Cake, and Classic Fruit Truffle.
Address: 20B, Part Street, Kolkata-700016
Time: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
In the Menu:
Desserts:
• Classic Fruit Truffle: (English style truffle made with fruits, custard and cake sponge layer)
• Chocolate Rainbow Cake: (Chef’s Special)
• Rustic Apple Cobbler: (Traditional UK style apple cobbler made with caramelized apple filling covered with butter biscuit crumble and baked. Served with house caramel sauce)
Cocktails:
• TLB Fashionista
• Kesariya Diwali
• Spicy Arabiana
• Scotch Juicy
• Island Affair
• Refreshing You
Cost for two: INR 1500/- (Approx) with alcohol
TRAFFIC GASTROPUB
The pièce de résistance of Traffic Gastropub is its myriad selection of local and imported intoxicants in the form of brews, wines and cocktails. The industrial décor of this eponymous pub cum café displays the bustling environment of traffic, adopting the use of railway sleeper wood and incorporating recycled items like bottles, tins, and cycle strokes. The dessert menu caters to the current trends for the modish crowd. This year’s Diwali special is the simplytermed self-explanatory Diwali Bumper, which is a must-try for all. A few dark rum and vodkabased cocktails that are recommended are Punch Romains, the piquant Jalapeno and Olive Martini, and Planters Punch, the classic IBA official cocktail.
Address: 2 Floor, City Centre 2, Rajarhat, Newtown, West Bengal – 700157 Tenure: From 13th November onwards
Time: 12:00 PM-10:30 PM
In the Menu:
Desserts:
• Diwali Bumper
• Muffins Malai
Cocktails:
• Punch Romains
• Sea Breeze
• Jalapeno and Olive Martini
• Rum Punch
Price for two: INR 1500/- (Approx) with alcohol
AMINIA
The irrefutable champion of Awadhi Cuisine in the City of Joy, Aminia, has been gratifying the taste-buds of the citizenry for 90 years. This casual fine-dining restaurant has multiple outlets all over the city, and it is not only the trademark Kolkata Biriyani and the eclectic selection of savoury kebabs that make Aminia such a prominent name. It is noted for its choice of desserts also. The Aminia Special Firni is a firm favourite of sweet-obsessed Bengalis. Mihidana with Rabdi is a clever take on two of the most popular sweet dishes that we are smitten with and can have them at any given time of the day.
Address:
• New Market: 6A, SN Banerjee Road, New Market, Kolkata-700087 • Golpark: 57, Ballygunge Gardens, Gariahat, Kolkata-700019
• Barrackpore: 62, SN Banerjee Rd, opposite Great Eastern, Sardar Bazar, Kolkata-700120
• Sodepur: Bhagawati Apartment, Amarabati, Kolkata-700110
• Serampore: 212, Grand Trunk Rd, Mahesh, Mahesh Colony, Serampore, West Bengal- 712202
• Behala: 54, Diamond Harbour Rd, Pathak Para, Behala, Kolkata, West Bengal-700060
• Hatibagan: 94, Bidhan Sarani, Sovabazar, Hati Bagan, Shyam Bazar, Kolkata-700004
• Chinar Park: Rajarhat Main Rd, opposite Karnataka Bank, Chinar Park, Sukanta Pally, Baguiati, Kolkata-700136
• Jessore Road: 166, Jessore Rd, Shyam Nagar, Satgachi, South Dumdum-700055
• EM Bypass (Only Takeaway & Delivery): 16D, East Topsia Road, Galaxy Height, GroundFloor, Kolkata -700046
When: Round the year
Time: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
In the Menu:
• Firni
• Mihidana with Rabdi
Price for two: INR 700 (Approx)
CANTEEN PUB AND GRUB
Immerse in nostalgia and reminisce your euphoric college days at Canteen Pub & Grub. Styled and formatted just like a college canteen, this place has a youthful vibe that is permeated through its debonair yet sophisticated décor. Apart from the multi-cuisine platters and delicious desserts, this place offers an original and innovative alcohol menu. Their Diwali special Cocktail menu includes gin-based cocktail cheekily named as Fuljhari, Hara Bhara and Khus Manali. The Apple Malpua with Shahi Rabdi and Mishti Doi Cheese Cake from their dessert menu will leave you hankering for more.
Address: City Centre 1, DC Block, Sector 1, Bidhannagar, Kolkata, West Bengal-700064
Time: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Tenure of the cocktails: 13th – 16th November, 2020
In the Menu:
Desserts:
• Apple Malpua with Shahi Rabdi
• Mishti Doi Cheese Cake
Cocktails:
• Fuljhari
• Hara Bhara
• Khus Manali
Price: INR 1700 (Approx) with alcohol
MINISTRY OF BOOZE
Going by the moniker, it is readily comprehensible that Ministry of Booze houses a comprehensive liquor menu that includes a diversified assortment of all types of intoxicants, including Alcopop. This pocket-friendly “restro pub” is a perfect setting for party-goers with the availability of shisha and the inclusion of an in-house DJ to amp up its intoxicating ambience with live music sessions. The minimalistic yet chic decor will evoke the nostalgic charm of a pub scene from the classic English movies. The multi-cuisine food and dessert menu is a mix of classic and contemporary styles. This Diwali, we recommend you to go for the Vodka-based Electronic Iced Tea or the Tequila-based Kiwi Margarita.
Address: 1st floor, Pecon Tower, DH Block (Newtown), Action Area I, West Bengal-700156
Time: 12:00 PM -12:00 AM
Tenure of the cocktails: 10 thNovember – 31st December, 2020
In the Menu:
Cocktails:
• Green Apple Infused Beach Iced Tea
• Electronic Iced Tea
• Watermelon Mojito
• Kiwi Margarita
Desserts:
• Classic Chocolate Brownie with Ice-cream
Price for two: INR 1,100 (Approx) with alcohol
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