I’ve always felt that the biggest threat to the Mallu plans of world domination would come from the Bongs. Though they have been less organised in their approach, recent activities would indicate that all that is changing. Take, for example, Koramangala. There are no less than half a dozen restaurants on record now that serve Bengali cuisine. Not to mention, ‘Heritage of Bengal’ that has replaced the heritage Mallu joint Ravi’s Kitchen in Koramangala. The threat is on other fronts too. I was not really a big fan of mustard oil, until I realised that our Oriya cook had slowly corrupted our (D’s and mine) taste buds over the period of two months he’s been with us!!
And that’s how I thought it was about time that we undertook a third reconnaissance mission. (after Kolkata and The Esplanade). Bhojohori Manna is on the same road as Anupam’s Coast II Coast, Imperial etc. The map is here, Bhojohori Manna is a couple of buildings from Anupam’s. Parking for 2 wheelers is easy, and since there are many side lanes around, larger machines should be able to manage too.
BM is spread across two floors. Well, spread is perhaps the wrong word, but they have used the space well to create a cosy, pleasant ambiance. The decor would be just like any other fine dining place, but the music, lamp shades and the cushions with Kantha work (oh don’t worry, guys, I am on your side, I had no clue what this was until D pointed it out. Still haven’t deciphered it either) gives the place the character its name demands.
We didn’t start out really well. We went to the 2nd level for the view to the road outside, but weren’t allowed to sit at any table with that view, because they were all 4-seaters. So we went back down and thankfully got a good seat, which offered a view, without the erm, high ground. This was at about 7.30 and by 8, there was quite a crowd. Thankfully, the person who took our order turned out to be a pleasant guy who made things better with all the help he gave us in choosing the dishes. The menu is not as exhaustive as the one provided on their site, but still managed to give us enough options.
We started with a Pora Bhetki, which is fried fillets of the Bhetki fish (red snapper?). Though it was tasty, with a good masala coating, and a chutney that complemented it well, Rs.180 was quite too much, especially considering the prices of the rest of the menu items. Would advise you to try out something else from the many options available. It didn’t help that they brought all the main course items before we completed it.
So, for the main course, we started with Luchi and Chicken Dakbangla. (liked the Ramsay Brothers style name of the latter) The luchis were quite good, and not very greasy. The Chicken Dakbangla was excellent, though the pieces were more bone than flesh. The question remains unanswered too, as there’s an egg in the dish. Recommended, in spite of the bones. Since 2 luchis each weren’t really enough, we also had a Koraishutir (peas) Kochuri. Turned out to be a good choice, and thanks to the staff for pointing out that our original choice Bakarkhani Roti wouldn’t go well with the chicken dish. Bheesh it was next. 😀 So we had Pabda Shorshe with steamed rice. Thanks to our ‘tampered’ taste buds, we enjoyed the mustard based fish curry. Somewhere in between, D also tried out an Ampora Shorbot which was reasonably good.
The portions are just sufficient for two people, and when you’re not really hungry. The good part is that it allows you to try out various things, and still leave space enough for dessert!! Except for roshogulla and sandesh, the usual suspects including the mishti doi were not available. The guy who helped us out insisted on us trying out an ice cream. Since I wanted to hedge it, we asked for one of those ice creams and a roshogolla. The roshogolla was just okay, but the ice cream was absolutely fantastic. So I ended up ordering one more of that all for myself. Later research established that it was a ‘Natun Gurer ice cream’ (made of date palm jaggery). Gurest, sorry, best dessert I’ve had in a while, though the consistency is more ‘mishti doi towards mousse’ than ice cream.
All of the above cost us just over Rs.600, which I thought was good bong for the buck. (though I really don’t know enough to comment on authenticity).
Bhojohori Manna, 668/B, 6th Block, Koramangala Club Road, Ph: 080 25503666
PS: Erm, meanwhile, any Bong reader here who can forget petty world domination plans and share the ice cream recipe? 😉
Menu and Photos at Zomato
This place was recommended to us when we were in Kolkata (branch of the same chain) The food there too was pretty good, and felt quite simple and homely. I’m not too sure about the authenticity either, but it was at least more than being just edible. On the other hand, I had a terrible experience at Oh! Calcutta (St.Marks road) after which several of my colleagues vowed never to eat Bengali food again 😀 The mustard gravy there was extremely pungent, and we were barely able to finish a quarter portion of the fish. The fish at Bhojohori Manna in contrast seemed to have the right amount of flavor (still not a great flavor :D) I believe it requires too much of an acquired taste to appreciate, and thus do not really see their cuisine taking off 😀
oh, there are enough Bongs around here for all of these guys to make money 🙂
Nice review, Manu. Food’s always interesting to read about. Pictures, next time?
oi, painful to lug that camera around.. besides, too much of an effort, doesn’t make sense.. like i told you, that isnt the idea!! maybe when this becomes more feasible http://www.foodspotting.com/ 🙂
I am a vegetarian, but I still went to this restaurant, with a few bong friends of mine. Interestingly, I could find quite a few items to my liking in the “green” variety 😉 You should try the “Mochar chops” when you are there – these are plantain flower cutlets – mouth wateringly delicious. There are other stuff, whose names which I cannot remember now, but were equally good.
Ofcourse my bong friends flipped over the fish, and said it was just awesome. They just went silent and devoured the fish — which I undrstand, is the Bong way of saying that the food is awesome 😉