Subho Bijoya! Goddess Durga returning to her abode today marks the end of Durga Puja celebrations. It’s an emotional moment for many in Bengal but this auspicious period is called Bijoya, which literally means ‘victory’. People of the Bengali community meet up over adda (chit chat) and exchange greetings with sweets.
I took this opportunity to relive our culture and roots through its food during early morning. My companion in my venture was Savaari Car Rental who drove me through the narrow alleys of North Kolkata to some of the historic outlets. Savaari is a chauffeur driven cab service provider in Kolkata with affordable rates, top rated drivers and clean cabin space.
Favourite Cabin: The 100 years old cafe has to be the city’s oldest cafe. Favourite Cabin is still well known for its tea and crispy bread butter toast, what a blissful way to start my morning. With every sip of history witness the adda culture of Kolkata. The décor reflects the nostalgia of our glorious bygone days. They still toast breads in the coal-furnace because it brings a special taste. Aside the paan cake and slice cake is not a bad option with a steamy cuppa.
Putiram: For a traditional Bengali breakfast, there’s no better place to go than the 160 years old Putiram. Serving perhaps the city’s most famous cholar dal (aromatic lentil dish flavoured with spices) and radhaballavi (stuffed puri). Some sweet accompaniments would not do any harm.
Girish Ch. Dey & Nakur Ch. Nandy: The 175 years old Girish Ch. Dey & Nakur Ch. Nandy is a pioneer in making sandesh (sweetmeat). The shop continues to operate from the same place and has been frequented by many celebrity chefs.
Makhan Lal Das & Sons: The 200 years old sweet shop is perhaps Kolkata’s oldest shop still operating. In last two centuries nothing has changed much for the shop who is still uses the same method for making the delicacy which was used by their family for centuries using hand and mould. You will find it hard to believe that you can still get sandesh here at only INR 2!
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