Viman Nagar has become a melting pot of cultures, thanks to the cosmopolitan population that resides here, predominantly contributed by the several Symbiosis colleges and IT firms in the area. Naturally, the biggest impact is on the variety of foods available in the restaurants here. Interestingly, Bengali food seems to be among the topmost favourites, with more than half a dozen restaurants and takeaway joints serving Bengali cuisine. These joints are all doing decent business – not just because of nostalgic Bengalis who are a sizable lot in Viman Nagar, but also because Bengali food is popular with non-Bengalis too. Among the better known Bengali food restaurants is Aha Bengali, which serves a range of authentic traditional starters including the famed ‘motor-shutir kochuri’ and staple main course fare like ‘kosha mangsho’ with ghee basmati rice, along with time-honoured Bengali desserts. Another well known restaurant is Radhika. More of a takeaway joint than a diner, it is their sweets that they are famous for. Their USP is the iconic Bengali ‘roshogolla’, but the ‘rajbhog’, ‘kheer- khodom’, ‘chomchom’ and ‘kalojam’ are equally good. Perhaps the best known Bengali food joint in VN is Peetuk. It is famous for its typical Kolkata style biriyani with ‘aloo and deem’ (potato and eggs).“The Bengali biryani I had from Peetuk was unlike any other. The flavourful eggs mixed with the mouth-watering rice made for a brilliant meal that kept me satisfied for hours after,” said Atharva Thatte, a localite staying in Viman Nagar. A smaller but cosy place is Boudi’s restaurant at Ganpati Chowk. The word ‘boudi’ means elder brother’s wife in Bengali. So, quite obviously, the restaurant serves quintessential Bengali home-style food. But that apart, their snacks are outstanding – like the ‘shin- gara’ (samosa), chops, cutlets, and fish fries.
25 Jan 2022
Sayanta Sengupta
