Oriental veg menu launch at The Studio, Novotel Kolkata

This is regarding the blogger’s meet at Studio, Novotel Kolkata and we were invited as part of KFB to experience their new vegetarian menu. Now, frankly, I am someone, who associate oriental cuisine with only their non-veg varieties…. But, this visit was successful to at least make me start thinking otherwise.

Its always a good feeling to get invited along with friends, and this was frankly no exception. A lively discussion was immediately initiated and continued throughout the entire gastronomic extravaganza.

Now, regarding the outlet, Studio is probably city’s first specialty oriental outlet with live music with DJ, flamboyant cocktails, a show kitchen headed by chef Neelabha….. The decor is simplistic with lots of daylight flooding in and is basically minimalist.

We started with Lychee delight ( a lychee based mocktail) followed by Veg tempura and Thai spiced vegetables. All the dishes contained rare exotic veggies and the freshness could be felt. Frankly, I liked the thai spiced veggies more, as the tempura, by its very nature, was a little lesser spiced.

Now, what is japanese cuisine without sushi… and soon we were served with Sushi, followed by vegetable baoji and water chestnut and chive dumplings. The sushi is brilliant. Just a word of caution. Those, who are not comfortable with chopsticks, sushi can be tried by hand- as it tends somehow to break down with a fork…..

And the soup was served. It was sheer brilliance. From the way it was served, to the taste, pure bliss. Chestnut flavored noodle broth.

After all these, I hardly had any place for the main course, yet somehow Jasmine rice with vegetables in Thai green curry pushed me to my limit. Frankly, the chilly garlic noodles and the tofu dish hardly excited me. But, on my mind, I assured myself, that next time, I’ll come back for the Thai curry with rice. The flavor was out of the world.

The final frontier was the Tab Tim Samsee (which I got to know from the chef, is a coconut milk based dessert served on a bed of crushed ice)- great presentation and taste was even better. It made my day.

We were full. Service was impeccable here, so no complaints. It was a great lunch with some unusual items- done to perfection. Thanks Novotel.

Bon apetite !!!

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I can be reached at 9903528225/ indrajit.lahiri@ymail.com