“Though the border between India-Bangladesh divides Bangla historically and geographically, for me both the countries are same as we continue sharing a very strong bond through our language, films and food. I have never seen them as two different countries and that’s what we have tried to show in our film Sankhachil. I am happy that 6 Ballygunge Place is hosting Paatpere Padma-parey and I’m certain everyone will enjoy the feast,” said Prosenjit while discussing the opar banglar food celebration planned by the epar bangla's famous 6 Ballygunge Place.
I was invited by 6 Ballygunge Place through Kolkatafoodbloggers and witnessed their spread last week; “Paatpere Padma-parey” as they call their new Bangladeshi Food Festival which will be available from 8-24 April 2016 (except on “Poila Baishakh”).The dinner was attended by our very own “Prosenjit Chatterjee”, the evergreen star from the Tollywood film industry to celebrate the success of his newest venture “Sankhachil” which has own the National Award 2016 under the category of Best Bengali Film and 6 Ballygunge Place is the food partner of this new venture of Gautam Ghosh which is a collaborative effort of India and Bangladesh. It was indeed amazing meeting Prosenjit personally over a delightful chatting session and for obvious reason I will be sharing my time with him as part of a separate post!
From the “Handi” of Chef:
Coming to the “Paatpere Padma-parey”, Chef Sushanta Sengupta is the man behind the spread and has chosen the menu carefully to cater us with some really amazing Bangladeshi food! During my chitchat with the Chef, he shared his thought over the festival; starting from the different kind of Bharta (Sheem dana and Prawn) to Seem Aloo Paturi where they have taken Potato and Flat bean instead of Banana Flower or Paneer to make the paturi. Followed by the Kachki Maachher chorchori which is going to be a match winner for sure. Chef specially mentioned about the Batashi Chorchori which is again a famous Bangladeshi fish dish but not seems much available in India and Aar Maacher Bhuna whete catfish is cooked and served with a spicy gravy.; so worth having it. A Bangladeshi Food fest is incomplete without Hilsa so there is Padma Nadir Ilish to Cherish for. They are having an interesting chicken dish; Murgir Lotpoti which is actually slow cooked Chicken Liver gravy. For mutton they have chosen a popular Bangladeshi dish Mutton Bhuna and to accompany all the sides they are having the famous Morog Pulao and Dhakai Parahta. Finally to end the spread, there is subtle Kesaria Phirni.
Speaking about the festival, chef Sushanta Sengupta said, “At 6 Ballygunge Place we always try to offer something new to our guests keeping in mind the Bengali traditions. There couldn’t have been a better time for this festival than the Bengali New Year week. While our regular ala carte menu offers food from Epaar Bangla the festival menu brings in some special items from Opaar Bangla.”
My take on the “Paatpere Padma-parey” Festival:
I found the menu quite simple and in fact that is the charm for me! Few common bong dishes like Chingri Malaikari (Sheer Malaikari, as they call it) or Padma Nadir Ilish (Hilsa in Mustard Gravy), Puti Maachh Bhaja, Mutton Bhuna or Kesaria Phirni are obviously for those who do not want to experiment much with food! While Chicken Lotpoti, Sheem Aloo Paturi, Aar Macher Bhuna I found worth experimenting with.
To start with, they are having two types of Bangladeshi Bharta to try for where the veg option is prepared with the seed of Flat Bean or Seem and for non veg they are having a Chingri Bharta. I found Chicken Lotpoti quite interesting however is only for those who love to eat almost every eatable part of chicken. Seem Aloo Paturi is also something I found worth trying given to the perfect flavor and that “zara hatke” taste of Paturi. Kachki Maachher chorchori and Batashi Chorchori are also something can be tried if you have a taste for small fresh water fishes and do order plain steam rice in case ordering either the Paturi or Fish Chorchories.
Morog Pulao is something I always cherish for; it is more of a pulao and less of Biriyani and has good amount of bongness within it along with the taste of Morog but not Murgi. Dhakai Paratha is an all-time favorite of mine and can be tried with either Mutton Bhuna or Chicken Lotpoti. And obviously there is Padma Nadir Ilish the not so humble one; which needs no further introduction from me for sure.
The “Paatpere Padma-parey” festival is going to be an “a la carte” spread and will be available both in 6 Ballygunge Place’s Flagship and Salt Lake outlet from 8-24 April, 2016 except on the day of Poila Baishakh for both lunch (noon to 3.30 p.m.) and dinner (7.30 to 10.30 p.m.) and for a meal for two it will cost around Rs. 1200 plus taxes (approximately).
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