Rain Rain go away
When it rains endlessly its not always bad . There are so many memories attached with rain – rainy day in schools , colourful raincoats, sounds of pitter patter while going to sleep and waking up with a cloudy sky – whats your fondest memory of monsoon ?
ITC Sonar Kolkata says good morning with signature mornings breakfast
The local fresh produce incorporated into 4 main dishes forms the pillars of ITC signature morning breakfast . Cold press juices are added attraction at Pavilion Pure where unique interesting combinations of juices are available . This is in addition to the normal buffet spread – Why dont you check out ?
The Lalit Great Eastern Bakery – History and memories
I have frequented Waterloo Street on a daily basis for two years . The heritage building which was a distant representation of its past stood there with its lost glory . Heard from elders that the then Great Eastern Bakery used to be the best in the city and was a jewel in the crown . When we recently visited The Lalit Great Eastern Bakery – we were pleasantly surprised and happy as well .
Doi Ilish and the story of a newly wed couple | Hilsa cooked in a yogurt sauce
The Hilsa and monsoon in Eastern part of the country is inseparable . This is the story of a newly wed couple connected by common thread of love and food, experiencing their first monsoon and Hilsa and also how Doi Ilish or Hilsa in Yogurt and mustard sauce got passed on to the daughter in law from Mother in Law
Varanasi diaries III – The wedding and an over enthusiastic photographer
In continuation with my Varanasi Diaries – before I could reach the ghats in night I fulfilled my long time wish of capturing a band baaja baraat – . A photostory where I let the pictures tell you the story
Peanut butter cookies – Tugga the baker .
A recipe inspired by Masterclass in Masterchef Australia season 6 , this is your Peanut butter cookies by Matt Preston . Our son joins the baking as he wishes to remain engaged and spend sometime with his mom
The Lalit Great Eastern Iftar dinner
When its Eid around you cannot simply cannot miss the Iftar spread . The festival has got some dishes , some flavours and some smells attached to it . The Lalit Great Eastern Kolkata is offering Iftar dinner on every friday till 17th July – Here’s our account of how it turned out
Taj Gateway Kolkata presents – Hilsa Festival
When its monsoon it has to be hilsha or Ilish as popularly called in the Eastern part of the country . Taj Gateway Kolkata presents Hilsha festival – where handpicked dishes from West Bengal and Bangladesh with some continental variation made the lunch a memorable experience
Varanasi diaries II – Zostel Varanasi -7 reasons why you shouldn’t be there ??
We were headed towards Rihand in UP with an overnight stopover at Varanasi . We found out a rare experience of staying in Zostel – the first branded hostel chain in India .
Bali,Indonesia,Indian Railways and Rendang Curry with Mutton
If Bali reminds most of you of Indonesia, then let me tell you there is another world where Bally means a railway station also in West Bengal . From Bali to bally rediscovering a classic Indonesian dish – Rendang Curry with Mutton
Rasgulla enters the team for sweethandi
Any dream line up of Kolkata sweets is incomplete without the legendary Rasgullas in it . Its like a Top 10 songs of the year list of 70s and 80 s without a Kishore Kumar song in it . Sweethandi has been selling all other famous sweets which are legendary in their own way however the inclusion of Rasgulla in that line up makes it a dream team
Spaghetti Kitchen Kolkata launches new menu
The famous Italian restaurant Spaghetti Kitchen Kolkata launches its new menu . A must visit for all Italian food lovers and food lovers in general . Read to know why
Varanasi Diaries – Graffiti on the ghats
While a lot of people may have lot of to do things in Varanasi – I found something which is offbeat yet very interesting . When you are in Varanasi – spend some time on these Graffiti on the walls – I could not decipher most of them – Let me know if you could
Mango Chicken Salad with zesty coriander and chili dressing
As monsoon starts making inroads to Kolkata, its time to bod goodbye to the king of fruits and emperor of summer – Mangoes . This is the latest avatar in which mango appeared on our dining table on a sunday – Mango chicken salad with zesty coriander chili dressing . The recipe and story .
Park Plaza Kolkata presents – Kolkata Street Food festival
We were excited when we were called for Kolkata Street food festival at park Plaza kolkata but the taste buds werent after the tasting the food . Reasons why this festival could have been better
Chocolate Sandesh and Sweethandi
The evolution of chocolate sandesh in last 10 years and last 3 years in particular with Cadbury coming in to the picture, is noteworthy . Every year theme based new innovations have changed the sandesh and hence the mishti landscape of Kolkata . Read of two such innovations here –
Version 1.0 turns 3 – Peppa pig , George and dinosaur cake
It was our son’s 3rd birthday and version 1.0 requested for a Dinosaur Cake . Madhushree the super mom who can never say no to any challenge accepted it gleefully . I played the second fiddle . Madly march in office with financial year end made us have some sleepless nights to research and come up with this . Happy birthday Tugga
Afraa Lounge Kolkata presents – Wednesday Fairytale
How often do you get a chance to experiment with cocktails and make cocktails as per your choice . How often you get a chance to make a cocktail which is named after you ? Afraa Lounge kolkata is offering -Fairy tale wednesdays where you select your ingredients , make the cocktail and also name it as per your wish . Ladies and gentlemen the new two cocktails in town are – Analytic Anindya and Mad Madhushree – Wanna check them out ?
Cold Crab Salad in cucumber boats and my tryst with salads
Summer throws up real challenge in finding food which is summer savvy . All of sudden the normal comfort tasty foods also start tasting bland . In our quest to present summer delicacies – this time cold crab salad in Cucumber boats . This is not only healthy with the presence of bell peppers and cucumber but its tasty too with presence of the crab meat and mayonnaise . This summer this is a must have for all
Casa Kitchen Kolkata launches Summer Time Soiree
I was little apprehensive when I got invited for this review of Summer time Soiree for Casa Kitchen as its supposed to be completed vegetarian . I didnt regret the decision of going for this . Casa kitchen Kolkata launches its Summer time Soiree – with a sumptuous spread of Cold Salads and sandwiches . There are mocktails and cocktails keeping in mind the sultry summer . This summer if you wanna beat the heat then you must try out Casa Treat .
Whacky Waffles Kolkata – sinful indulgence
We had wonderful memories of Waffles when we visited Athens . Since then we always complained the lack of dedicated store of Waffles in Kolkata . Whacky waffles opens up in Lee Road Kolkata beside Brand factory . If you are around Forum after shopping or a movie this kiosk is a wonderful retreat for desserts .
Lemongrass Iced Tea with Ginger and the journey of thirst quenchers
When its scorching heat with high humidity and the universe seems getting roasted its worth to relook at some conventional drinks with some twist . Iced tea with lemongrass and ginger is one such option . The evergreen tea with strong flavours of Lemongrass and ginger with some ice cubes is an anytime drink during summers . When do you plan to have it ?
2 Mango Sandesh which cannot be missed this season in Kolkata
Every summer Mango starts ruling the kitchen and tantalizing the taste buds with desire . It becomes an inevitable part of life . Its not without a reason that its called the king of fruits . Sondesh ( cottage cheese based bengali sweet) is princess of Bengali desserts . What happens when the king of fruits meet the princess of dessert ? 2 Mango sondesh which you must try this season from Kolkata .
The Lalit Great Eastern Tea Lounge Kolkata
The Lalit Great Eastern Kolkata has revamped its tea lounge and its surely going to become one of the most happening tea lounge in Kolkata. Some of the rarest and costliest blends of tea are available here along with a sumptuous high tea menu with a local touch . We tasted Silver needle one of the rarest and exclusive blend along with some rare varieties . The story .
Nepal in rubble – My thoughts
We share a strong emotional connection with Nepal . Its people, nature and history . On a fateful afternoon of 25th April 2015 the city is struck by an Earthquake which is worse in last 80 years . Next 2 days the city spends under open sky . Death toll keeps on ticking . History is ruined . My thoughts
The Windmills of Mykonos
One just cannot miss the windmills in Mykonos . Now a major tourist attraction, these windmills were once a major contributor to the economy of the town and played a major functional role . The magnificent bright shinning white in the morning and the melancholic orange in the dusk only depicts the story of them . We witnessed both and realised the same .
Fever, random thoughts and Chicken nuggets in sweet and sour sauce
Is creativity at its best when someone is under fever ? Those random listless thoughts when the fever just sets in takes you to a different world . Recently while under fever, I dreamt that instead of the singing competition there is a blogging competition happening at Shoondi Kings court in Goopi Gayen Bagha Bayen – a cult childrens film by master film maker – Satyajit Ray . I woke up to this lovely Chicken Nuggets made by madhsuhree .
Poila Boishakh and a family recipe of Bhekti
What does the Bengali New year mean to you ? Is it another date in the calendar where, if you are in Kolkata, there may be a holiday, meeting relatives or...
10 best sweet shops in kolkata – Part I
Identifying 10 best sweet shops in Kolkata is like searching needle in a hay stack . From the neighborhood to the century old legends each one is a star in itself . In the first part of this effort we try to explore some new and and some century old sweet shops in kolkata . Let us know which are your favourites
Rato Machhendranath festival Kathmandu
When we reached Durbar Square in Patan little did we know that we will witness an unique festival of worshipping rain god through a Chariot journey .Rato Machhendranath is considered as the reincarnation of the Lord Shiva by Hindus, while the Buddhists regard him as the Tantric reincarnation of Avalokiteshvara. A 300 year old temple at southern part of Durbar square Patan is where it all started .
Creme Caramel Kolkata – your neighbourhood cake shop
We often used to bypass this small little shop at Circus Row while on our way to office . One day we stopped to experiment and check out that shop . We realised that it was worth the experimentation . Creme Caramel is that cake shop in your neighbourhood which will grow on you ..
Sweethandi is delivered – Pikturenama is happy
Its a beginning for two friends . Its a beginning for a friendship over a decade . Sweethandi starts delivering Kolkata sweets across India and Pikturenama becomes the official blogger and food photographer . In the month of December
Fine Art Photography IV. Satarupa flirting with the lens shows the bigger picture
Satarupa represented those women who for ages have remained forcefully silent in dark with leaps sealed but now the time has come to come out . Time has come to embrace the light and become bold and courageous . A photostory.
Winter Tales III – Ma cooks Ranga alur Roshopuli Traditional deep fried sweet potato dumplings in date palm syrup
The transition between winter and spring and then summer has many memories . What defines end of winter ? This winter Ma cooked Rashapuli – a traditional bengali dessert which is fried sweet potato dumplings in date palm syrup . We said good bye to winter . Read here for more
Explore the elements by Thomas Cook – Earth Water Fire and Air
Its rarely I participate in a competition but when the invitation comes from a fellow veteran blogger – thats an honour in itself . Thomas cook wants the bloggers and the photographers to explore the four basic elements in Universe – Earth, Fire, Water and Air . I searched through my pictures and travelled from Mt Alps in Switzerland to Phewa Lake in Pokahara Nepal with a stopover at Turkey and Greece . The choice was tough . However – here are my four options . Let me know how you like it
Zurich Diaries – II – The LGBT parade and memories of P
I was lucky to be witnessing the LGBT parade at Zurich . First time for my life . We had no plans for Zurich and explored the city on our own and at Bahnhofstrasse we witnessed this colourful carnival . Memories surfaced of my friend P who years ago was confused about his identity and suffered . Stay well P .
Sweet nothings… Memories of growing up with Sweets
We Bengalees grow up with sweets . Any occassion , any situation , any season sweets are part of it . Memoirs of growing up along with sweets and how it was an integrated part of life . One misses this the most when stays outside kolkata . Memories , nostalgia and some pictures
Sinful evening with Soha and Kunal at Kolkata – Magnum Ice cream launch
Magnum Ice Cream got officially launched in Kolkata .On 21st February , at Crystal Room Taj Bengal it was a sinful Belgian Chocolate trail with celebrity Masterchef Kunal Kapur and ravishing Soha Ali Khan Pataudi . Check out the recipe for traditional Bengali dish – Pathi Shapta with Magnum Ice Cream .
Nan Khatai on the evening of a long Sunday – with recipe
After a long hectic Sunday , Madhushree starts baking for our son’s tiffin next day . Little research reveals that this is the original Indian Cookie with a Dutch origin and traces in Surat . Presenting Nan Khatai – with recipe
World peace pagoda Pokhara – 1100 metres, 200 stairs with a 2 year old
At 1100 metres height on Ananda hills The World Peace Pagoda in Pokhara Nepal overlooks the Annapurna Mountain range which reflects off Lake Phewa Tal below. It is thus one of the more serene peace pagodas in the world. On a cloudy day we climbed about 200 steps with a 2 year old only to get disheartened and getting our rewards later .