Visited this place on my business trip to Kolkata. Whenever I visit Kolkata I make it a point to try some authentic Bengali cuisines and this time I wanted to try 6 Ballygunge Place.
This place is famous, very famous almost every person from a taxi walah to acquaintances, everyone knew this place.
I went alone for a dinner to try this place myself. It has quite elegant interiors and from the looks of it comes across as a fine dining restaurant.
They have both, buffet as well as ala carte. I opted for a mix of both as some delicacies which I wanted to try were not available on the buffet.
The buffet had the following -
1. Mangshor Jhol (Mutton Curry)
2. Dum aloo
3. Bhindi Do Pyaza
4. Rui Shorshe (Fish)
5. Lal Murgi (Chicken)
6. There was one more veg item, which I can't recollect :p
In sweets they had
1. Misti Doi
2. Chamcham
I took my place at a two-seater corner table, for starters they had the quintessential Batter fried Brinjal and Luchi (Puris). The fried brinjal had way too much oil locked inside the batter which filled your mouth with a lot of oil they moment you took a bite. I am no expert on Bengali food, but I thought this could have been done better.
Next, I tried Dum Aloo with Luchi. While I do appreciate the unique taste of mustard oil which lends a very distinct and powerful flavor, but in this case, it was way overdone. The chef overdid the mustard flavor to spoil the dish!
Till now the dining experience wasn't going very well. I thank the chefs for the Lal Murgi, it was the best item on the buffet. Thick red gravy with a tinge of tanginess and the right use of masala. I finished all my luchis with Lal murgi.
Post this I asked for Daab Chingri (Ala Carte and my all time favorite Bengali dish!) For the uninitiated, this dish is a prawn curry cooked and served in green coconut (see pics). I liked their Daab Chingri but I would admit that the Daab Chingri I tasted at Oh Calcutta on Elgin Road was the best I have ever tasted!
I wanted to drink something and I asked my server (Mr.Debu) and he recommended Aam Pora Shorbat which is a Bengali version of Aam Panna. The drink was truly refreshing and provided a much-needed change of taste.
I tried their other item on the buffet, nothing much to write about pretty banal and ordinary. I quickly moved on to the desert and excitedly took a plate full of Misti Doi (Sweet Yogurt) and let me tell you it was the biggest letdown. The Misti Doi had developed a slightly sour taste, The Misti Doi I have tasted all my life has always been as sweet as a ripe mango, but something was seriously wrong with this Misti Doi. In hindsight, I reckon I should have reported it to the management but kept quiet as my server Mr.Debu was really helpful and hospitable and I didn't want to embarrass him but now I think I should have reported it.
By this time I had decided to leave but Mr.Debu recommended to try the Nolan Gur Ka Ice Cream, at first I wasn't willing to, but he said I wouldn't regret and thank god I did listen to him. This my friends wasn't an Ice cream, it was an elixir for the soul! I officially say that I have never ever tasted an ice cream like this! The moment I tasted it, my eyes closed and I was lost in its taste. This has to be an award-winning ice cream.
I had decided to rate this place 3 if not for the Aam Pora Shorbat, Nolan Gur Icecream, and the courteous Mr.Debu.
I recommend you do not opt for the buffet but go for the Ala Carte.