Bon Appetit (Kolkata)

The end of a treasure-hunt

The plaque outside this 30-seater eatery reads 'This is the place your friends told you about.' This is arguably the fairest testimonial for Bon Appetit, because word-of-mouth publicity is the only thing that contributes to its following of a few hundred youngsters – all based in and around Salt Lake City. When you look at the list of the most popular eateries in any city, you find that strategic location is of paramount importance. Bon Appetit completely does away with this constituent and strives to thrive on its promise of good food and low prices. The décor inside is brilliant, and puts many bigger establishments to shame. There is a beaded curtain dividing the two wings of the restaurant which sways as the wind blows through the doors. The wall is adorned with photographs of some of the most successful chefs in the world – Gordon Ramsay, Nigella Lawson, Kylie Kwong, you name it. And the food – oh! the food! The fare is almost completely vegetarian, with the exception of eggs used on certain dishes. The Parathas are delicate, crisp and wholesome, and are stuffed with different ingredients on different days of the week. There are very innovative items on the menu which at times sound unappetising and yet you find yourself licking your plate clean. A perfect example of this is the Mushroom Maggi. Also worthy of mention are the Stuffed Pita and the Hawaiian Egg Salad. The mocktails are quite refreshing and even the dessert options are fascinating, with the Tiramisu comparable to what is served up in the priciest restaurants in town. Hence, it is easy to see why a place located in the back of beyond never has an empty table during the day.

Ambience                ★★★★
Service                    ★★
Presentation            ★★★
Taste                      ★★★★★

http://kolkata.burrp.com/listing/bon-appetit_circus-avenue_kolkata_restaurants/145300564

(Reviewed by Anubhab Dasgupta)