The review was anonymously done after paying for the meal.

This time in Kolkata I wanted some hat-ke Bengali food, so I decided to go for Bangladeshi food.

For the uninitiated, Bangladeshi food is a spicier, oilier version of Bengali food. And no place does it tastier than Kasturi restaurant. Based on a colleague’s suggestion, we go to the Gariahat branch of the restaurant which is not crowded for weekday lunches. In fact when we land up here at 1:30 pm, we have the whole restaurant for ourselves. The food is as good as anywhere else, and the service is efficient and quick. 

The menu is extensive and the prices surprisingly low – till one sees the portion size which is just about enough for one. I start with a Bangladeshi classic Kochupata diye Chingri (Rs 140) which has perfectly cooked small prawns with a vegetal twist. Kochupata as per Wikipedia is colocasia (arbi) leaf which incidentally is also the green part of patrel. Bhetki Paturi (Rs 210) is cooked with a poppy paste in banana leaves and is quite a treat.

Chital Muitha (Rs 200) or fish meatballs are good but not a patch on the one served at 6 Ballygunge Place. Tel Koi (Rs 210) is well made and delicious. 

Dhonepatta Kachalanka Mangsho (Rs 220) or mutton with coriander and green chillies is a quintessentially Bangladeshi dish with an exciting gravy. Alas the meat is hard and can do with some more cooking. Same is the case with the meat in Kosha Mutton (Rs 190) which takes away from the dish.

But the star of the meal undoubtedly is Shorshe Hilsa Bhapa (Rs 400) which is among the best ilish dishes I have had. The mustardy tang of the sauce goes deliciously with the rich buttery fish. It is an utterly delicious dish. Sadly I am si mesmerized by the dish that I forget to click it.

One vegetarian colleague has Sukto (Rs 100), Begun Bhaja (Rs 60), Mung Dal with Peas (Rs 65) and Chatni (Rs 50) with steamed rice (Rs 75). Obviously the veg dishes must be really good because he refuses to share his food. 

We end the meal with a competent Mishti Doi (Rs 50).

Go here especially for the Hilsa!

Ratings (Out of 5)                                         

Food: 4.0 | Ambience: 4.0 | Service: 4.5 | Value: 4.0| Overall: 4.0

Meal for two: Rs.1000 | Alcohol: No | Credit Card: Yes | Wheel chair friendly: No

Address: 11/A, Dover Lane, Hindustan Road, Near Gariahat Spencers, Rash Behari Avenue, Gariahat, Kolkata

Tel: +91 8334922227; +91 8334922223