A Perfect Weekday Dinner Escape

 

There's something special about getting to head out for dinner on a weekday. Breaking away from the usual routine and enjoying a relaxed evening makes the experience all the more enjoyable. Finding a charming little restaurant is an added bonus.

Just off Southern Avenue, we discovered The Canteen by Asia House, a cosy eatery with a warm and inviting ambience. A quick look at the menu promised a delightful journey through Asian cuisine, and it certainly lived up to our expectations.

We started with a comforting bowl of Seafood Soup before moving on to a hearty serving of Chicken Nasi Goreng. Both dishes were packed with flavour, freshly prepared, and absolutely delicious.

Sometimes, the best dining experiences aren't at the grandest restaurants but at hidden gems that surprise you with great food and a welcoming atmosphere. This was certainly one of those evenings, and it's a place we'd happily return to.

A Window with a View of Kolkata's Tallest Tower

We had gone to a restaurant on the top floor of 6, Camac Street, and one of the highlights of the evening was the spectacular view from the window. Standing prominently against the Kolkata skyline was The 42, an unmistakable landmark that dominates the city's horizon.

Rising to over 60 storeys, The 42 is the tallest building in Kolkata and among the tallest residential towers in India. From our vantage point, its sleek glass façade reflected the changing light beautifully, making it impossible not to admire the engineering and architectural achievement it represents.

It's always fascinating to see how Kolkata, a city renowned for its rich heritage and colonial architecture, now also boasts modern skyscrapers that symbolize its evolving skyline. Sometimes, an ordinary meal becomes memorable simply because of an extraordinary view.

A Night with the Indian Navy Band

 

There are some events that become annual traditions, and for me, the performance by the Indian Navy Band of the Eastern Naval Command at The Tollygunge Club is undoubtedly one of them. It has grown into one of Kolkata's signature social and musical events, and I rarely miss the opportunity to attend.

This year was no different. The evening once again showcased the exceptional talent, precision, and discipline that the Indian Navy musicians are renowned for. From stirring military marches to timeless classics and contemporary favourites, every performance reflected countless hours of practice and an unwavering commitment to musical excellence.

The atmosphere at The Tollygunge Club was electric, with members and guests enjoying an evening of outstanding entertainment. Beyond the music, the event is also a wonderful celebration of the enduring bond between the city of Kolkata and the Indian Navy.

As always, I left the venue looking forward to next year's performance, knowing that this cherished annual tradition will continue to be one of the highlights of Kolkata's cultural calendar.

A Quiet Nabami Visit

 

Durga idol at Utsav-Utsarg

There was a time when Durga Puja was the highlight of my year. The excitement of pandal hopping, soaking in the festive atmosphere, and admiring the creativity of the idols was something I eagerly looked forward to. Over the past few years, however, that enthusiasm has gradually faded.

This year, I decided to keep things simple and visit just the two community Durga Pujas closest to home—the pandals at the Utsav-Utsarg and Udita residential complexes. On Nabami, I took a leisurely walk to both, spending a few quiet moments appreciating the beautifully crafted idols and the decorations put together by the residents.

It wasn't about covering dozens of pandals or battling the crowds. Instead, it was a peaceful reminder that the spirit of Durga Puja can be found just as easily in the warmth of one's own neighbourhood. Sometimes, a simple visit is all it takes to reconnect with a festival that has been such an important part of life for so many years.

Durga Idol at Udita

A Walk Through History on Park Street

 

Kolkata's streets have always had stories to tell, and thanks to CESC, many of those stories are now being shared in a unique and beautiful way. Their initiative of transforming ordinary electrical junction boxes into works of art has added a fresh charm to the City of Joy.

These creatively painted junction boxes serve multiple purposes. They discourage the defacement caused by posters and advertisements, brighten up the city's streetscape, and most importantly, offer passersby a fascinating glimpse into Kolkata's rich history and the personalities who shaped it.

This particular CESC Electrical Junction Box, located on Park Street (Box Identification: A.C. Park St.0/T.3-F2A), pays tribute to Arathoon Stephen (1861–1927), the legendary businessman behind some of Kolkata's most iconic landmarks. His vision gave the city architectural gems such as Queens Mansion, Stephen House, Stephen Court, and the world-renowned Grand Hotel.

It's heartening to see public infrastructure being transformed into open-air history lessons, reminding us that even the most ordinary corners of our city can celebrate its extraordinary past.

Engineering in Action on the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass

 

The Eastern Metropolitan Bypass has resembled a giant construction zone for quite some time now, as work on the Orange Line of the Kolkata Metro Railway continues to reshape the city's landscape. While many see traffic diversions and construction barriers, I often find myself fascinated by the incredible machinery making this transformation possible.

On a recent drive, I couldn't resist stopping to get a closer look at a truck-mounted telescopic crane hard at work at the upcoming Jyotrindra Nandi Metro Station, currently under construction just outside Metro Cash & Carry.

Watching the crane effortlessly lift and position massive construction materials was a reminder of the engineering precision and teamwork involved in building modern urban infrastructure. These powerful machines may not attract as much attention as the trains that will eventually run on the line, but they are the unsung heroes turning ambitious plans into reality.

For anyone with an interest in heavy equipment or engineering, the Orange Line construction offers plenty of opportunities to witness these remarkable machines in action as Kolkata moves one step closer to a more connected future.

Meet the HYDRA 830M

The Hydra 830M is a mobile truck crane manufactured for heavy lifting operations.The equipment is well known for its versatility, compact design and powerful performance, making it a perfect fit for infrastructure and construction projects. The truck has the right combination of safety and comfort. A steel construction full-width cab with an electric fan, interior light, horn, and opening window fitted with toughened glass ensures the operators work in absolute comfort. The Hydra 830M has advanced tracks or wheels that allow it to navigate obstacles with stability and ease.

Specifications

When Everyday Delivery Vans Become Collectibles

 

My fascination with miniature model vehicles has always been fuelled by my love for their real-world counterparts. Every truck, van, bus or car has its own story, but the ones that really catch my eye are vehicles carrying distinctive corporate branding. They have a character of their own and instantly make me think, "That would make a fantastic scale model!"

Around noon today, a delivery arrived at work and as I stepped outside to collect it, something else caught my attention. Parked outside was a Maruti Suzuki EECO delivery van dressed in the unmistakable yellow-and-red DHL livery.

It wasn't an exotic sports car or a rare classic, yet it stood out because of its clean branding and purposeful design. For most people, it was just another delivery vehicle. For me, it was a reminder that inspiration for a miniature collection can come from the most ordinary places.

Sometimes, all it takes is stepping outside at the right moment to spot a future addition to the wishlist—if only someone would produce this DHL-liveried EECO as a die-cast model!

Beating the Dinner Rush at Peter Cat, Park Street

A Sunday evening dinner on Park Street is always a bit of a gamble. If you're planning to dine at one of the iconic restaurants that have made this street famous, you should be prepared for at least an hour's wait. Long queues, bustling crowds and packed dining rooms are all part of the experience.

But this Sunday, we decided to take on the odds and headed straight to Park Street, setting our sights on one of Kolkata's most legendary eateries—Peter Cat.

Fortunately, luck was on our side. We arrived early enough to beat the dinner rush and were shown to our table almost immediately. It had been quite some time since our last visit, and walking into the warm, familiar interiors instantly brought back memories of countless memorable meals.

Before getting down to the serious business of dinner, we started the evening with a couple of chilled beers. It was the perfect way to unwind and set the mood for what we already knew was going to be a satisfying meal.

There was never really any debate about what to order. When you're at Peter Cat, the Signature Chelo Kebab is almost a rite of passage. Perfectly grilled kebabs served with fragrant buttered rice, a fried egg, grilled tomato, and that unmistakable knob of butter melting over the rice—it's a dish that has earned its legendary status for good reason. Even after all these years, it continues to deliver the same comforting flavours and impeccable quality that have made it one of Kolkata's most celebrated meals.

As we finished our dinner, we noticed the familiar Sunday evening scene unfolding outside. Guests were steadily streaming in, the waiting area was filling up, and those inevitable queues had begun to form. We couldn't help but smile, knowing we had timed our visit just right.

Some restaurants come and go, while others become institutions. Peter Cat firmly belongs to the latter. Whether you're introducing someone to Kolkata's culinary heritage or simply revisiting an old favourite, it rarely disappoints.

If you're planning a night out on Park Street, arriving a little early can make all the difference. And when it comes to dependable food, timeless ambience, and a meal that never seems to go out of style, you simply can't go wrong with Peter Cat.

Drunken Monkey at Acropolis Mall

 

After an evening of "Malling", we grabbed a bite in the Food Court of Acropolis Mall. We tried some salad, wraps and potato wedges and a couple of Cold Coffees from Drunken Monkey.

A Late Evening Feast at Rang De Basanti Dhaba

 

Some dinner plans are made well in advance, while others happen on the spur of the moment. I had gone to pick up my wife from her office, and by the time we were heading back, it was already quite late. With neither of us in the mood to cook and both craving some hearty Indian food, there was only one obvious choice—Rang De Basanti Dhaba.

Over the years, this has become one of our favourite places whenever we're in that part of town. We kicked off the meal with their delicious Classic Tandoori Chicken, perfectly marinated and cooked to smoky perfection.

For the mains, we stuck to our tried-and-tested favourites—a basket of Garlic Naan and Butter Naan, their rich and creamy Dal Makhani, flavourful Kolkata Chicken Bharta with Egg, and a cooling Raita to complete the meal.

Sometimes, the best meals aren't about trying something new but revisiting old favourites that never disappoint. Rang De Basanti Dhaba once again served up a satisfying dinner that hit all the right notes and made the late evening outing well worth it.

Dinner at Tintin & The Brussels Club

 

An eatery named after one of my favourite childhood comic characters? We simply had to try it out. 

A Late-Night Steak Miracle at Hondo's

 

After the wonderful musical evening at The Tollygunge Club, we quickly realised that finding dinner at the club that late at night wasn't going to happen. So, with our stomachs rumbling, we headed to the nearest place we knew served some of the finest steaks in the city—Hondo's.

Getting a table there at that hour was nothing short of wishful thinking. Hondo's is a tiny hole-in-the-wall eatery with very limited seating, and simply turning up without a reservation is usually a recipe for disappointment. But sometimes luck smiles on you. Much to our surprise, a table opened up just as we arrived.

What followed was the perfect end to an already memorable evening. We each tucked into a beautifully cooked steak, packed with flavour and cooked just the way we liked it. Every bite reminded us why Hondo's has earned such a loyal following over the years.

For steak lovers, Hondo's remains one of the very few places in Kolkata where you can enjoy a genuine beef steak. Great food, a cosy atmosphere, and a little bit of late-night luck made for an unforgettable meal.

A Musical Evening to Remember with Dr. Sunil Paulraj's Toccata

 

When Dr. Sunil Paulraj's Toccata troupe announced their performance at The Tollygunge Club, it was an event we simply couldn't miss. This production was even more special, with the choir and musicians welcoming members from the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, and Ireland, along with a talented musical group from Nagaland, taking the total number of performers on stage to an incredible 85.

The concert was spread over Friday and Saturday evenings, and we attended the Saturday performance. Judging by the packed hall, it was clear that we weren't the only ones looking forward to an evening of great music. Every seat was occupied, and the anticipation in the room was palpable long before the first note was played.

From the moment the performance began, the audience was taken on a musical journey spanning genres and generations. For nearly two and a half hours, the troupe delivered one memorable performance after another, seamlessly moving from the soulful classics of Ray Charles to the timeless hits of Elvis Presley. They brought the warmth of Dolly Parton's country melodies and the electrifying anthems of Queen, ensuring there was something for everyone in the audience.

What made the evening particularly enjoyable was not just the quality of the music but the obvious passion and enthusiasm of every performer on stage. With eighty-five voices and musicians performing in harmony, the energy was infectious. The audience responded with enthusiastic applause, clapping along to familiar tunes and thoroughly enjoying every moment of the concert.

The grand finale was nothing short of spectacular. As the opening notes of "We Are The World" filled the hall, all the performers came together for a powerful and moving rendition of the iconic song. It was the perfect conclusion to an evening that celebrated music's unique ability to bring together people from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds in perfect harmony.

As we left The Tollygunge Club, the melodies were still echoing in our minds. It had been an unforgettable evening of outstanding musicianship, wonderful camaraderie, and timeless music—a reminder that live performances, especially ones delivered with such heart and passion, continue to create memories that linger long after the final applause.

From London Waffles to a Tall Blonde French Fry

Just one of those nights when we were out rather late after dinner and, despite having already eaten, somehow arrived at the inevitable conclusion that dessert was absolutely necessary. Because apparently dinner only counts as dinner until you see something sweet.

While wandering around Wood Street, we came across a little place called London Bubble Co. The name sounded intriguing enough, and the sight of waffles and ice cream was more than enough to convince us that this was the correct direction our evening needed to take.

So, naturally, we ordered a Waffle with Ice Cream.

Warm, crisp, sweet and topped with a generous helping of ice cream, it was exactly the sort of late-night indulgence we were looking for. Not particularly complicated, not pretending to reinvent dessert—just a good waffle and ice cream doing what good waffles and ice cream are supposed to do: make you forget that you had already had dinner.

But then came the inevitable sequel.

My wife spotted the place next door.

Tall Blonde French.

Now, before you start imagining some glamorous French lady with impossibly long legs standing behind a counter, let me clarify: this place specialises in French Fries.

And apparently, once you've had a waffle, the natural next step is to investigate potatoes.

So off she went to check out Tall Blonde French, because dessert apparently had not quite exhausted our culinary curiosity for the night.

It was one of those wonderfully random evenings where you don't really set out with a plan. You have dinner, wander around, discover a place, eat a waffle, spot another place, investigate French fries—and suddenly a perfectly ordinary night has turned into a mini food crawl.

Sometimes, that's all you need.

A late-night stroll, a waffle with ice cream, a little potato-based research and the company of someone who is always willing to ask, “What’s that place next door?”

Wood Street, you have officially been warned!

Will We Bao Again? Most Definitely!

My wife has this uncanny ability to keep discovering new places that not only test our culinary range, but occasionally our vocabulary as well!

This time, she found a place called The Fatty Bao. And the name alone was enough to make me curious. But then came the revelation—the entire menu revolves around Bao!

Wow. Just imagine that! Someone had actually taken the humble Bao and decided it deserved the fine-dining treatment. And not tucked away in some obscure little lane either. The Fatty Bao is located in the rather premium Fort Knox Building on Camac Street, which somehow makes the whole concept even more intriguing.

Now, I have had Bao before, but walking into a place dedicated to them is a different experience altogether. It's as if someone looked at the Bao and said, "You know what? You can be fancy too!"

We decided to keep things simple and ordered the Char Siu Bao. Soft, fluffy, packed with flavour and quite capable of making you reconsider everything you previously thought you knew about steamed buns.

And because every good culinary expedition must eventually arrive at dessert, we followed it up with a Japanese Cheesecake and a Coco Caramel. Because apparently, once you start Bao-ing, stopping is not really an option.

So, the big question...

Will we Bao again?

Absolutely!

When we want to Bao again, most definitely! 😄

Freedom is not given, it is taken!

 

So these have been catching my eye. An Amazing Initiative to liven up the Streets of Kolkata. This CESC pillbox is of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. I hope this one of kept clean.

When Swan Lake Came to the City of Joy

 

I have a faint memory of the Russian Ballet visiting India sometime in the 1980s. I must have been a child then, so the details are understandably hazy. But I don't remember them ever coming to Kolkata.

Perhaps that is why hearing that the Russian Ballet was coming to the City of Joy this time, with a performance of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, brought me tremendous joy.

Growing up, Tchaikovsky was almost a part of the soundtrack of my childhood. Swan Lake and The Nutcracker were pieces I had listened to countless times. The music was familiar, even if, as a child, I probably had very little understanding of the artistry and discipline behind the ballet itself.

So when I heard that Swan Lake was actually going to be performed right here in Kolkata, there was absolutely no way I was going to miss this extravaganza.

And so, we found ourselves at Nazrul Mancha, ready to experience what was, for me, a rather special coming together of childhood memories and the present.

There is something quite magical about hearing music you've known for decades and then suddenly seeing the story unfold before you. The haunting strains of Tchaikovsky, the elegance of the dancers, the elaborate costumes and the sheer precision of the choreography all came together to create a spectacular evening.

But somewhere between the music and the movement, I couldn't help but think of that little boy who had grown up listening to Swan Lake and The Nutcracker all those years ago.

Back then, the Russian Ballet was something distant—something I associated with faraway places, grand theatres and a world of classical artistry that seemed almost impossibly exotic.

And now, here it was, in Kolkata.

At Nazrul Mancha.

Perhaps that is one of the wonderful things about growing older. Some of the things you once experienced only through music, books or imagination eventually find their way back into your life—except this time, you are there to experience them fully.

For an evening, Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake wasn't just music from my childhood.

It was alive, right in front of me.

And what better place for it to return than the City of Joy?

A truly spectacular ballet, a beautiful evening, and one childhood memory that finally got its encore.

The 7 Wonders at Eco Park

Pyramid & Sphinx

Our last excursion to Eco Park in Rajarhat dates all the way back to February 2015. Since then, a myriad of transformations has swept through the park. During a recent journey to the airport, we caught sight of the park's latest additions, which had become the talk of the town, visible from Biswa Banga Sarani. That sighting ignited our decision to revisit the park. Naturally, we concurred that visiting on a weekend would be an exercise in chaos, so we opted for a weekday to fully savor the wonders that awaited us. To our surprise, even on a weekday, the park teemed with visitors.

Upon entering Eco Park for a nominal fee of Rs. 30, we were immediately struck by the sheer value it offered. Personally, I would have willingly paid more for the privilege of glimpsing these marvelous creations. Rather than expound further, I'll let the images convey the essence of what lies within.

That being said, it unquestionably merits an in-person visit to truly appreciate its allure!

Taj Mahal

Colosseum

Pyramid & Sphinx

Petra

Moai statues

Christ the Redeemer

Moai statues

Great Wall

Colosseum

Inside the Pyramid