he success of a restaurant is said to depend on three things — location, location T and location. For newly- launched Bengali eatery Ilish Truly Bong, the location check mark gets the largest tick as it opens its door on Park Street, right opposite Allen Park, on the corner plot. The three founders are Ranjan Kamilya, Lopamudra Kamilya and Ashish Baral, the last being man with over 40 years of experience in the hospitality business.
Serving authentic Bengali cuisine with a special focus on fish, primarily hilsa, the two-storeyed restaurant’s menu includes dishes such as Pantha Beguner Madhuchandrima (mutton keema cooked with brinjal), Murgir Paturi (chicken cooked in banana leaves), Chitol Machher Muittha (minced fish balls cooked in gravy) and more. Park Street, the old-school food hub of the city, lacked a Bengali restaurant and this could just fill the gap.
“Each and every decor piece is sourced by us instead of a hired interior decorator, as we wanted to lend a homely feel to it. And the name Illish is because of its synonymity to Bengalis,” smiled cofounder Lopamudra Kamilya.
What: Ilish Truly Bong Where: 83B, Park Street, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road crossing When: Noon to 11pm Pocket pinch: Rs 1,200 for two Ilish Truly Bong is spread over 2,000sq ft and two floors, with each wall decor item sourced from as far as villages 50km ahead of Bishnupur. What caught our eye was the embellished menu card (inset).
The open terrace gives a top view of Park Street.
Barishaler Maachher Chatu Paturi is hilsa sourced from Bangladesh and cooked in banana leaves and served on a hot plate. Rs 290 The Kachari Ghor beside the terrace is a space to host parties and can accomodate upto 30 people. Murgi Roast is a whole chicken roasted with Bengali spices and served on a bed of salad. Rs 320 The doors open right on the main road with the well-lit entrance to what used to be an old, burnt house, being hard to miss.
Asto Illisher Chomotkar is exactly what the name says — an entire hilsa on your plate, creating wonders on your palate. Rs 1,500 Bhapa Ilish is one of the most popular hilsa preparations in Bengali households where the fish is steamed with curd, mustard and green chilies. Rs 230 Text: Shrestha Saha Pictures: B. Halder.
Source: Telegraph India
