This almost heritage places that are more than 100 plus year old have once been comfort Bhaat- Daal (Rice and Dal) place for commoners. These eatery are an absolute dose of nostalgia for most eaters even today. Fresh homemade food was the USP of these places. For a gastronome these homely food with so many varieties of fish and vegetables, the chicken or mutton jhol at rock bottom prices is nothing less than a jackpot.
These were hotels/ eateries that came up during the British Raj. Going back deep in history there are many version why they were called Pice hotels; while some say everything was priced at 1 paisa as ‘Pice’ was a monetary unit of India then that was equivalent to one quarter of an anna. few others believe that Pice System means where each item is individually priced, from the vegetables, fish, chicken to every serving that you would take.
The cheap and comforting meals that these places offer have made them most people favourite even till date be it a corporate guy or any migrant workers. One of the Oldest in the city Hotel Sidheshwari Ashram, that’s almost hidden in the bylanes behind Sir Stuart Hogg Market (New Market) sees a house full show during lunch time. Talking to Rita Sen the 4th generation who is running this place says “We see more than 300+ customers each day. Our 93 year old eatery has seen many ups and down but thankfully we have survived all roadblocks”.
Shaping city’s food map these pice hotels till date are seen bustling with people who come and relish a heavy hearty meal at a steal price. Almost undesirable décor, one needs to next to the other, there’s nothing posh about these pice hotels. During the bygone era the pice hotels also provided space to stay which was much like home away from home. These places go by the simple rule to serve regular three-course homely meal both non-vegetarian and vegetarian dishes. The unique part being the menu in most places are written in blackboard at the entry itself and believe you be the service is super-fast like a jet plane.
Tarun Niketan, that was established in 1915 and currently run by Arun De he says “with changing time a little or few of our dishes have changed and also our interior to accommodate more people”. The home style food and menu that doesn’t get carried over the next day it more in demand as everything there is prepared fresh. Mostly of these pice till date serve in banana leaf.. Let’s say that a great sustainable bale way for environment.
With no formal menu card these heritage eateries are an absolute delight to grab a meal for an experience of the bygone era. Trust me when I say this nothing is sub standard here. The rule is simple, you eat, you pay, you tip the waiter, take a pinch of aniseed and leave the place. Isn’t that pretty simple