Many of us know that in India, Beef as a meat is not a popular choice and it is restricted to a particular section of the society. Kolkata has never been a snooty city when it comes to the availablity of different meat, be it red or white. The quality of beef that you get here is superior and most of the five star hotels source the beef locally. Being a part of history, the city is often visited by tourists from the foreign land and some of them are associated with NGO's and spend three to four months in the city. Therefore, there is definitely scope for restaurants to offer exquisite beef dishes as there is a ready market for them.
This time around I thought of visiting few restaurants and taste the beef preparations on offer. It was difficult to decide on the four places I should go and the reasons for it. My first option was Swissotel for one reason that being an international chain of star hotels it would be getting sizeable number of foreign tourist as well as a lot of business travellers as its located in the corporate hub. My point of contact at the hotel was my friend Supreeta, who is now the marcomm manager. She took me to Cafe Swiss, one of the F&B outlet of the hotel. After covering a distance of close to 15kms approx which is a lot by Kolkata standards, the ambience had a very soothing effect on me. I met the chef and asked couple of quick questions about the dish and there it was, the Blasmic Glazed Beef Steak served with confit vegetables and a savoury. The best part about this dish was its appearance. It was colourful and good-to-see-you kind of appeal to it. The taste of course was as per my expectation but the only problem was that I ordered it well-done whereas steak gives out the juicy flavours when cooked medium or medium to well-done.
Next on my list was Floatel. The only hotel in the country which is on a river. Here I got a chance to learn something about a new cuisine referred as Colonial cuisine. As the name suggests, its the culinanary legacy followed by the yesteryear army men in British India. Some of the wierd names on the menu was Baked Fish Patricia Memsaab and Mr. Brown's Ball Curry. Here I got to try Steak Major Cunningham which was a medium done steak served with braised vegetables and bread rolls. It was just up to the mark and certainly a must try for everyone who would like to try beef.
My culinary journey to try the Beef dishes was still looking out for that gratifying experience that a food lover experiences after a perfect meal. I headed to Mocambo- yes 'the' Mocambo. For those who do not know yet, it is amog those restaurants in Kolkata where you have to wait for your table even on a monday night. They had recently introduced Irish Chateaubriand Beef Steak, made in garlic butter. This time around, I felt crest fallen with the taste and presentation of the dish, it was just average and there was nothing phaata-phaati (amazing in bengali) about it. The worst part is since its a popular retaurant, the staffs are extremy snobbish and lack warmth that a hospitality professional should posses.
Moving on further, one of my friend advised me to go to The Bridge at The Park and try out what they had to offer in beef. After the Mocambo-( this time Mocambo khush nahi hua) I went for a quick lunch and tried the Beef Roulade. Tender, luscious, balanced and beautiful looking dish, this dish came for the rescue after my immediate past experience. It was a beef rolled in with spinach and chicken sausage served with braised vegetables and mushroom sauce.
Many a people avoid eating beef thinking that it's not suitable in Indian weather conditions but it's NOT true. Just avoid excessive beef intake and you are sorted. Hope next time you are in Kolkata you now know where to head for some good beef. And if you are person with good appetite, please go to Mocambo, you will get free attitude with the food and you will be convinced to believe that you have been lucky to taste their salt. Signing off :)
This time around I thought of visiting few restaurants and taste the beef preparations on offer. It was difficult to decide on the four places I should go and the reasons for it. My first option was Swissotel for one reason that being an international chain of star hotels it would be getting sizeable number of foreign tourist as well as a lot of business travellers as its located in the corporate hub. My point of contact at the hotel was my friend Supreeta, who is now the marcomm manager. She took me to Cafe Swiss, one of the F&B outlet of the hotel. After covering a distance of close to 15kms approx which is a lot by Kolkata standards, the ambience had a very soothing effect on me. I met the chef and asked couple of quick questions about the dish and there it was, the Blasmic Glazed Beef Steak served with confit vegetables and a savoury. The best part about this dish was its appearance. It was colourful and good-to-see-you kind of appeal to it. The taste of course was as per my expectation but the only problem was that I ordered it well-done whereas steak gives out the juicy flavours when cooked medium or medium to well-done.
Next on my list was Floatel. The only hotel in the country which is on a river. Here I got a chance to learn something about a new cuisine referred as Colonial cuisine. As the name suggests, its the culinanary legacy followed by the yesteryear army men in British India. Some of the wierd names on the menu was Baked Fish Patricia Memsaab and Mr. Brown's Ball Curry. Here I got to try Steak Major Cunningham which was a medium done steak served with braised vegetables and bread rolls. It was just up to the mark and certainly a must try for everyone who would like to try beef.
My culinary journey to try the Beef dishes was still looking out for that gratifying experience that a food lover experiences after a perfect meal. I headed to Mocambo- yes 'the' Mocambo. For those who do not know yet, it is amog those restaurants in Kolkata where you have to wait for your table even on a monday night. They had recently introduced Irish Chateaubriand Beef Steak, made in garlic butter. This time around, I felt crest fallen with the taste and presentation of the dish, it was just average and there was nothing phaata-phaati (amazing in bengali) about it. The worst part is since its a popular retaurant, the staffs are extremy snobbish and lack warmth that a hospitality professional should posses.
Moving on further, one of my friend advised me to go to The Bridge at The Park and try out what they had to offer in beef. After the Mocambo-( this time Mocambo khush nahi hua) I went for a quick lunch and tried the Beef Roulade. Tender, luscious, balanced and beautiful looking dish, this dish came for the rescue after my immediate past experience. It was a beef rolled in with spinach and chicken sausage served with braised vegetables and mushroom sauce.
Many a people avoid eating beef thinking that it's not suitable in Indian weather conditions but it's NOT true. Just avoid excessive beef intake and you are sorted. Hope next time you are in Kolkata you now know where to head for some good beef. And if you are person with good appetite, please go to Mocambo, you will get free attitude with the food and you will be convinced to believe that you have been lucky to taste their salt. Signing off :)
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