6 ballygunge place @ Bangalore – a restaurant review

In the early 2000’s when a new Bengali restaurant in upmarket area of Kolkata opens its doors, it gives lots of hopes to the foodies, not because there is a dearth of quality restaurants in gastronomical capital of India, Kolkata which is the heaven for food connoisseurs but because there were few restaurants that serves authentic Bengali cuisine.

Trailing behind the league of Ahelis and Kewpies, this restaurant refashioned out of an old zamindari style bungalow at 6 ballygunge place, thus assuming the name, brings savoury Bengali dishes, prepared in authentic style, to the people of Kolkata who were more than happy to embrace it. Some of its signature dishes like kosha mangsho, doi murgi and baked sandesh are phenomenal and other favourites includes chanar kalia and ilish paturi. But over the period the only key issue is consistency which they failed to keep up, hence getting mixed reviews from the foodie communities.

After sprawling its branches in Kolkata , it spread its wings to the other Indian cities too, and opened a branch at 12th main Indiranagar next to Cafe Coffee Day. It was an instant hit as the Bong’s of the cities who were quiet desperate, finally got a restaurant where they can relish their favourite Bengali cuisine. After experiencing its delectable Bengali buffet spread in Kolkata, I become a regular here for last six years, and has mostly good memories to share with the readers.

reception @ 6 ballygunge place Bangalore

Some four years ago when Chef Shubhankar Dhar who was a partner at 6 ballygunge place, Bangalore decided to go solo and open a Bengali restaurant in upmarket Koramangala (Esplanade – will write the review soon), 6 ballygunge place takes a beating but they managed to maintain their reputation through lavish buffet spread during festive seasons like Durga puja and Bengali new year.

But last year (2010) there were striking similarity (approximate to 98%) in the grand buffet spread by both of these restaurants during Durga puja and we fools enjoyed !!! the same menu in both the places for two consecutive days !!!  🙁

We once even hosted a small get together through 6 ballygunge place organised in the restaurant’s terrace which they cater it very well, so I presume they are good in catering and outdoors.

Coming to the Bengali new year menu 2011 of  6 ballygunge place which they have e-mailed me, it was not fascinating enough, so we decided to skip it. Aam panna / green mango drink was missing instead doi shorbet or lassi was there, not much choice in Veg section as chanar kalia was missing, though hing kachori and aloor dum was quiet tempting, golbarir paturi does not specifically mention it will be hilsa or bekti, so I guess Hilsa will be missing (that actually amounts to the total cost of buffet) and the dessert section looks quite deserted, it is actually a ritual to serve five kind of sweet dishes, but only baked gulab jamun (why ???), mishti doi and bhapa sandesh was in the menu.

Zomato, a leading portal on Restaurant review and food guide has published the menu of the restaurant along with the prices, so just have a look in case if you are wondering. You can found my reviews there too.

Ambience : quite good with wooden furnitures, yesterdays Calcutta was captured in black and white portraits that adorn the walls and can be qualified as Bengali themed restaurant.

Cuisine : Bengali

Star attractions : doi murgi, kosha mangsho and baked sandesh are simply phenomenal

Other favourites : koraishutir kochuri, topshe maach bhaja, mourella macher peyaji, mochar chop, chanar kalia, begun basanti, phulkopir roast, ilish paturi, chingri malai curry, kaju kismis pulao and Indrani.

Stay away from : chital macher muthia was a disaster, tel koi (need a good recipe), dhokar dalna (not up to the mark, my mom cooks better than that) and chanar malpoa (not satisfied).

Cost : a la carte will cost around 800 rs for two, but buffet during festive seasons can cost around 900 – 1000 rs for two.

Parking : not available

Reservation : on telephone

Service : average, but courteous

Website : not updated since 2007 and no maintenance

Card accepted : yes, but most of the time swiping machine does not function properly

Recommended : yes ; some dishes are too good, I have listed them above and some are not worthy.

Disclaimer : this is not a paid review and I do not enjoy any merchandise or discounts from the restaurant or its business associates.

If you have dined here then share your views with us, we would love to hear your opinions about the restaurant.