Kolkata: The scorching summer, a fluctuating mercury and the ongoing elections have led city restaurants to alter their menu, introduce subtle changes in cooking styles and organize food festivals to attract foodies with dishes that are exotic but light on the tummy.
Footfalls had dipped by around 30% during the April heatwave and again by a steep 40% this weekend, which was dry day, in Kolkata due to elections in neighbouring districts.Retro-dining restaurant Chapter 2 in South Kolkata has seen occupancy rise since May 17 when it launched a Goan Food Festival with coastal delicacies like beef macaroni soup, Goan chicken croquette, pork sorpotel, chicken cafreal with rosemary, Goan fish curry and the iconic traditional Goan bebinca, among others. “Goan cuisine is not only delectable but also refreshingly different. The menu has been curated by Maria Fernandes, chairperson of West Bengal Forest Development Corporation, who happens to be a Goan,” said Shiladitya Chaudhury, co-founder of Chapter 2.
At Songhai in central Kolkata, beer at slashed prices has been attracting tipplers as well as foodies this summer. “We have introduced watermelon juice and watermelon salad which have been big hits,” said owner Sudesh Poddar. Oasis on Park Street has been offering rice, daal, fish curry and aloo bhaja as a summer thali. “We started it during the heatwave last month and it continues to be on the menu,” said owner Pratap Daryanani.
Biryani sales had seen a sharp plunge ever since the mercury started touching 40° C last month. It has started crawling up though sales are yet to touch the normal mark, according to Kabir Azhar, owner of Mughlai chain Aminia. Amber owner Sanjay Khullar agreed. “Families have started visiting us since the holidays began and it will get better unless the heat returns,” said Khullar.