A Charming Mother’s Day Lunch at Eloise – The Bistro

Eloise - The Bistro

This post may come as a surprise, considering how unexpectedly it has appeared after such a long silence. After much thought, I decided it was finally time to revive the blog. The last post dates back to 2018, and while I may gradually try to fill in the missing years with stories and photographs, for now, here’s a lovely recent outing to begin this new chapter.

To celebrate Mother’s Day, I headed out with my family for a delightful lunch at the beautiful Parisian-themed café, Eloise – The Bistro. This eatery instantly charms you with the adorable teddy bear that greets guests at the entrance.

From the moment we arrived, the warm and welcoming staff made us feel comfortable. Guests can either take the lift located at the side or walk through the bakery and climb a narrow staircase that opens directly into the heart of the café.

The ambiance is nothing short of enchanting. Soft French-inspired music played in the background, giving the place the feel of a scene straight out of a 1920s Parisian film. The pastel pink interiors, floral décor, thoughtfully placed mirrors, ceramic plates, paintings, elegant furniture, and refined crockery all came together beautifully, making it the perfect setting for a Mother’s Day celebration.

Once seated, we quickly got down to the important business of ordering. Starting with drinks, I led the way with a frappe, and soon enough, all of us had followed suit. Between us, we ordered almost every frappe on the menu—Eloise Frappe, Café Frappe, Nutella Frappe, and Tiramisu Frappe.

To begin, we shared a portion of Eloise Grilled Prawns, which made for a delicious starter. For the main course, I chose the Lasagne Alle Verdure, while the rest of the family enjoyed Truffle Fettuccine, Flame Grilled Chicken, and Lamb Chops.

No meal is complete without dessert, of course. We ended on a sweet note with a Walnut Brownie, divided into four and happily devoured, along with a complimentary Chocolate Tart as a special Mother’s Day treat.

Would we go back? Absolutely. There were still so many tempting dishes left unexplored on the menu, and after such a satisfying meal, a return visit is definitely on the cards.

Sometimes, the best way to restart something is with good food, good company, and a memorable experience—and this lunch was exactly that.

Eloise Frappe

Eloise Grilled Prawns

Flame Grilled Chicken

Lamb Chops

Lasagne Alle Verdure

Truffle Fettuccine

Walnut Brownie

Chocolate Tart

An Evening at The Strand

 

No visit to Kolkata feels complete without spending some time at The Strand, one of the city’s quintessential attractions and a must-visit for tourists. So, after a satisfying lunch at Peter Cat, we decided to make our way there for a relaxing riverside outing.

After a bit of searching, we finally managed to find a parking spot and then walked towards the crossing to enter The Strand. Part of the charm of getting there is the little adventure itself—you have to cross a railway track before reaching the beautiful riverside promenade.

Once there, the riverfront offers a wonderful escape from the city’s bustle. Walking down the stairs at one of the many ghats, you can easily find boatmen offering short rides on the River Hooghly. We opted for a leisurely half-hour boat ride, which gave us beautiful views of the river, the city skyline, and the iconic bridges nearby. Of course, safety comes first, and the boatman ensured that everyone wore life jackets before setting off.

After the boat ride, no riverside experience is complete without indulging in some local street food. A serving of jhaal muri, some papdi chaat, and a refreshing cup of chai or a glass of soda shikanji felt like the perfect way to unwind by the water.

As you sit and enjoy the riverside atmosphere, you’ll also spot the occasional train passing by on the tracks nearby. This is part of Kolkata’s Circular Railway line, adding yet another uniquely Kolkata touch to the experience.

One of the notable landmarks here is Judges Ghat, which is especially famous during Durga Puja season as an important site for idol immersion, or visarjan.

With the river breeze, street food, boat rides, and glimpses of Kolkata’s everyday charm, an evening at The Strand is truly a lovely way to experience the city.

A Classic Meal at Peter Cat

 

Chelo Kebab

There are some places in Kolkata that never go out of style, and Peter Cat is certainly one of them. It remains a reliable choice when taking someone out for a memorable meal, especially if they are visiting from out of town.

Even at 3:00 in the afternoon, the restaurant was buzzing with activity, and we had to wait a little while for a table. Thankfully, the wait wasn’t too long. Once seated on the ground floor, we went straight for the classic order—Chelo Kebab, a must-have at Peter Cat.

While waiting for our food, we were served Coca-Cola in the iconic glass bottles. In a time when plastic bottles have become the norm, this small touch felt surprisingly nostalgic and added to the charm of the experience.

And then came the Chelo Kebab. As Peter Cat’s signature dish, it truly lives up to its reputation. It had been quite some time since my last visit to Park Street, but the Chelo has lost none of its magic. The flavours were just as satisfying as ever, proving once again why it continues to be such a crowd favourite.

After finishing our meal, we decided to explore the restaurant a little more and had a look at the newly added floor in this iconic Kolkata establishment. It was a lovely way to round off a classic dining experience in one of the city’s most beloved restaurants.

Coca-Cola

The Menu

The New Floor

A Visit to New Market

 

New Market is one of those places I usually visit only during Christmas or when entertaining friends and family visiting from out of town. This time, as you may have guessed, it was the latter—an outing filled with sightseeing, shopping, and a touch of nostalgia.

The moment you step into New Market, you are greeted by its signature hustle and bustle. The endless crowds, narrow lanes, and constant movement are exactly what remind me why I rarely come here anymore. Yet, despite the chaos, I still know my way around these familiar passages with surprising ease.

After all, this is a market I have been visiting since I was a toddler. It holds years of memories—family shopping trips, festive visits, and the excitement of exploring its countless little shops. Those memories are warm and comforting, tied to a version of New Market I remember fondly.

But nostalgia can only do so much. The overwhelming chaos that now surrounds the market can feel exhausting, even maddening at times. While New Market still retains its charm and remains an iconic part of Kolkata, visiting it today is often an exercise in patience more than pleasure. Still, every once in a while, it draws me back—if only to revisit a small piece of my past.

Dinner at Sagar Matha

 

Thukpa

If you're looking to grab a quick pocket friendly meal and love Momos & Thukpa, then MOMO by Sagar Matha is the place to go.

Pan Fried Pork Momo

Fried Pork

Cafe De Rois

 

Cafe De Rois Crispy Chicken & Cheese Burger

Cafe De Rois BBQ Chicken Pizza

Cafe De Rois Basilico (Pesto)

Cafe De Rois Alfredo

Cafe De Rois Classic Cold Coffee with Ice Cream

Cafe De Rois Solt & Pepper Shakers

Cafe De Rois Cutlery

Cafe De Rois Chocolate Brownie with Vanilla Ice cream

Street food on Zakaria Street during Ramadan

 

With Eid coming closer, we decided one last trip to Zakaria Street for the amazing food during Ramadan. For those who know, you'll know why this is a must do!

A New Find: Café De Lema

 

Always on the lookout for new places to try, we recently decided to stop by a café we had come across called Café De Lema.

The main reason for the visit was my wife, who had heard great things about their Matcha and was keen to try it for herself. So naturally, that was first on the order list. According to her, the Matcha here is excellent and definitely lives up to the praise.

Now, Matcha may have a loyal fan following, but I have to admit it is not for me—I wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole! Thankfully, Café De Lema had plenty more to offer.

What did win me over, however, were the food options. Their sandwiches were delicious, fresh, and satisfying, making for a great café bite. The pizza was equally impressive, with generous toppings and a well-made base that made it worth ordering.

All in all, Café De Lema turned out to be a pleasant new discovery. While some may visit for the Matcha, others like me can happily stick to the food and still leave satisfied. A cozy spot with something for everyone is always a welcome find.

MOMO By SagarMatha for Nepalese Cuisine

 

Every time we come to Sagar Matha, we invariably end up having their momos and Thupka. Today we finally got back to Sagarmatha for their Nepalese Non-Veg Thali and boy was it worth every rupee.