The best way to describe Indian food is - every bite is a feast of flavours. While it stands true for all regional dishes, Bengalis take it up a notch. From preparation to serving delicacies on a spread, food is more than indulgence. Families come together to spend hours and bond over bhajas, posto narkel bora, prawn singara, chingri bhorta, illish paturi, shuktoni, mishti doi, and more. While this might seem like an exaggerated description of the love that Bengalis have for their food, it is a regular sight at 6 Ballygunge Place outlets in Kolkata, West Bengal.
Mr Aninda Palit, who runs the food and beverages vertical of Savouries Hospitality Pvt Ltd (parent brand of 6 Ballygunge Place), said, “We roughly host 1200 parties in Kolkata. You ask any Bengali, and they would know about 6 Ballygunge Place.” The recent launch of their brand new outlet in New Delhi is a testament.
Speaking about the love that the restaurant has been receiving in Delhi, Chef Sushanta Sengupta, partner at Savourites Hospitality Pvt Ltd, said, "For Bengalis, it’s like a taste of home, and for non-Bengalis in Delhi, it’s an introduction to the rich culinary heritage of Bengal. How people from diverse backgrounds have connected with our food speaks volumes about how flavours can transcend cultural boundaries."
6 Ballygunge Place: Essence Of Bengal In New Delhi
Located in Eldeco Centre, Malviya Nagar, the restaurant witnesses Bengalis and non-Bengalis queuing for a seat, especially over weekends. Mr Palit added, “The brief for the decor was - it has to be sophisticated but also exude the feeling of Bengal. The artwork has been picked from Kolkata and assembled in Delhi.”
As you enter the restaurant, on the right is a huge dining space with a wall flaunting a bunch of deer. Mr Palit said it represents the famous song, Amar Sonar Horin Chai (I Want the Golden Deer), by Noble Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. It also displays artwork by Padma Bhushan receiver Jamini Roy. One of his signature elements is long eyes.
From hosting a large gathering to welcoming couples on lunch or dinner dates, this place is a gem and has introduced Delhiites to the authentic flavours of West Bengal. Drinks to desserts, and their huge menu might leave you confused but a meal here will surely be special, and you will want to visit again.
6 Ballygunge Place: Vegetarian Bengali Food
Most non-Bengalis only associate seafood with the regional cuisine of West Bengal. However, nothing can be further from the truth. Weighing in on a large number of vegetarians in New Delhi (roughly between 35%-40% according to a 2018 survey by the Registrar General of India) Mr Swaminathan Ramani, who is a partner at Savouries Hospitality Pvt Ltd, said, “I am a vegetarian, and you would be surprised but Bengali cuisine has as many varieties of vegetarian dishes as non-vegetarian food. There is shuktoni, bati chorchori, dhokar dalna, begun basanti, mochar paturi, moong mohan, chholar dal, begun bhaja, posto narkel bhaja, etc.”
He added that North Indians would love the Bengali food at 6 Ballygunge Place because the spices used to cook these delicate delectables are different. The cooking methods are different. Mr Ramani and Mr Palit assured that Delhiites should look forward to a unique menu ahead of Pujo and Navratri celebrations in the capital.
6 Ballygunge Place: Transporting Flavours Of Bengali Cuisine To New Delhi
Both Mr Ramani and Chef Sengupta shared that they have partnered with Spicejet to ensure that indigenous and regional ingredients from West Bengal can be transported to New Delhi so that people here can savour authentic flavours of the Bengali cuisine. Chef Sengupta added, “The integrity of genuine Bengali cuisine is dependent to a great extent on the freshness and quality of our ingredients.”
He further added, “In the case of the staple ‘Kasundi’, and other spices and oils, we source these from longtime, trusted suppliers in Kolkata to bring to this new outlet. This commitment to quality means that dishes like ‘Shorshe Ilish’ and ‘Chingri Malaikari’ taste just as they would in Bengal.”
6 Ballygunge Place: Larger Than Life Menu
Once you are seated, you receive a hard-bound menu, which, if you are a bibliophile, will leave you impressed. It has a vibrant picture featuring Bengali cafes and foods. When you turn over its pages, it would appear no less than a recipe book with high-resolution images that will make you drool.
Chef Sengupta added, “Delhiites love food and trying out new flavours which makes the city perfect for our brand. However, we’re also bringing some classic, familiar flavours to Delhi with a twist. We’ve introduced the beloved Kolkata Biryani and Mutton Rezala on the Delhi menu, unlike our Kolkata menu- because we want to showcase the Mughlai influences on Bengali cuisine.”
The menu features refreshing beverages, starters like non-veg starter platter, gondhoraj fried chicken, mulor jali bhaja, til badam bhorta, palang chingri bhorta, moong khasi, masoor dal, aam chhanar paturi, bhetki paturi, potoler dolma, bhapa illish, daab chingri, murgir jhol, mutton chaap, Calcutta mutton biryani, luchi, chingrir pulao, baked sandesh, bhapa doi brulee, tutti frutti, etc.
If you are a vegetarian and have never tried Bengali food like the author, begun basanti or shuktoni might not settle well with your palate. However, begun bhaja, aloo jhinga posto, bhaja masala aloo dum, moong mohan, posto narkel bora, and tutti fruitti are must-haves. For non-vegetarians and seafood lovers, don’t skip Culcutta mutton biryani, chicken biryani, doi murgi, boneless bhapa illish, tel koi, bhuna chingri, mocha chingri, and more.