The review was anonymously done after paying for the meal.

6 Ballygunge Place restaurant derives its name from its address. It started in 2003, at a time when the city did not have any decent restaurant serving Bengali food. Housed in the bungalow of a former Rai Bahadur, it has a distinct aura of tradition and heritage, reflecting in the interiors as well as the sheen of the crockery and cutlery.

I had a meal here several years ago and I still remembered the taste of the fabulous Chitol Maachher Muitha that I had had then. This time around in Kolkata, I was determined to go back here just to try this dish again. So along with a vegetarian and a non-vegetarian colleague I land here for lunch. The ground floor serves a buffet which I avoid, and head straight for the a la carte section on the first floor.

For the sake of our vegetarian colleague we start by ordering Begun Bhaja (Rs 85) which actually is quite good. They use the long eggplant cut lengthwise giving a lot more flesh, making it much tastier. 

 The veg colleague has chosen Chholar Dal (Rs 105) and Phulgobhir Roast (Rs 200) for his main course, both of whom are competent. But now on to our selection.

We start with Boneless Ilish Paturi (Rs 625) which is as good a dish as a December Ilish can deliver. But the real fun starts with a delicious Chingry malaikari (medium prawns; Rs 475). The prawns are cooked just right, something that one rarely finds in a restaurant, and the curry is perfectly balanced.

Chitol Maachher Muitha (Rs 365) is perfection as before. It has light, spongy chitol fish balls cooked in a beautiful gravy. Moori Ghonto (Rs 190) or rice pulao with fish head is good too.

We order Steam Rice (Rs 170) and some drool-worthy Parathas (Rs 25 each) along with the gravies, and end this great meal with a great Nolengurer Ice Cream (Rs 165).

I am sure many of you would have your own favourites in Kolkata but this place has certainly become mine, with its impeccable food and interiors.

Ratings (Out of 5)                                         

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

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

Address: 6, Ballygunge Place, Ballygunge, Kolkata

Tel: 033 24603922; +91 9830353881