Biryani's Calcutta Chronicle

It was 13^th May, 1856. A steamer came ashore at Bichali Ghat near Metiabruz in Calcutta (present Kolkata) and landed the eleventh and the last King of Awadh, Abul-Mansur Mirza Wajid Ali Shah (also known as the Nawab of Awadh) along with his khansamas and bawarchis. He had fled from Lucknow after losing his Kingdom to the British. It is then that a distinctive style of biryani was introduced from the kitchen of this Lucknowi Nawab which eventually became famous as The Calcutta Biryani.

It is said that golden fried potatoes were used instead of meat as the poor couldn’t afford meat and still now potatoes are used giving it a unique flavour with infusion of light spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, mace along with cloves and cardamom in the curd-based marinade of the meat, which is cooked separately from rice. This combination of spices with a few strands of saffron and a dash of rose water not only gives it a distinct flavour but also a rich aroma compared to other styles of biryani.

Now coming to The Shiraz Golden Restaurant, mononymously known and famous as Shiraz was established in 1941 by Mohammed Arshad Ali and Ali Hussain at 56 Park Street. In 1972 one Shamshuddin Bawarchi had joined the restaurant as a cook, and introduced a new recipe of preparing biryani. One of the ancestors of Shamsuddin was a cook of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. It is said that since Shamshuddin Bawarchi’s joining, Shiraz has never looked back till date and now has quite a few outlets in Kolkata & around and also one in Dubai.

During my recent visit to Kolkata, I had made sure to not miss this vintage (to me atleast) restaurant and its famous Biryani and keeping the ongoing crisis (pandemic) in mind and maintaining all the precautions I finally managed to enjoy the scrumptious Biryani along with another delectable dish, the Rezala. Cheers.

(with inputs from Wikipedia and Ei Samay)

Chicken Biryani and Chicken Rezala

Chicken Biryani

                                                                           Chicken Rezala

Apsara Hotel atop Malanggad Hills at Kalyan, Maharashtra

When you trek for 4-5 hours and finally get to eat some delicious food you do feel special. One such occasion was this at Apsara Hotel atop Malanggad Hills at Kalyan. We had been there today in 2016 and it was one memorable trek. The Dal Fry and Roti at Apsara was such a relief for the tummy and tasty for the soul. Thought of sharing. #ApsaraHotel #Malanggad #Kalyan

Radio Restaurant, Musafir Khana, Mumbai

Overcrowded with people and garment stalls, as we pass through the dingy Musafir Khana Road, a small lane near Crawford Market, Mumbai, we look for and finally find a go-down hidden behind the garment stalls with a small entrance. As we enter, we see huge shabby walls and sprawling sitting arrangements which remind us as rumoured, that from the 60’s to early 90’s this was one of the places for sumptuous meals for the ‘gang lords’ and ‘crime lords’ of Dongri, Dockyard and so. We are at the ‘Radio Restaurant’ established in 1935 with a present footfall of over 8000 daily. As we settle down with these thoughts and concentrate on the menu, we have again triggered our anxiety (maybe); Murg Taliban (Chicken), Kheema Ghotala, India-Pakistan (Rice Dish. It serves four people) to name a few. We start with some kebabs which are truly awesome. Then as we order “Mutton Taliban” and “Roti” we also think of having some “Gurda Fry” but wait, the waiter warns us that we will not be able to eat so much. Surprised by the caution we do not order and wait for what we have already ordered. After a while as we start eating, we realize that it is something we have never tasted before. A taste so different and mouth-watering. The meat is so soft. Post the meal the ‘Caramel Custard’ is also a must try something like a perfect dessert. Going by the goodwill of the place, you will simply be surprised by the superb taste of food. It’s delicious. Not to mention the quantity or the super reasonable pricing. One visit is never enough and do plan to go in numbers because you alone may not be able to finish off the serving. It is difficult to locate but do try your map or ask locals around Crawford Market to guide you to this Classic. Cheers.

Mutton Kebab

Mutton Taliban

Caramel Custard