Mocambo on Park Street is one of my go to places in Kolkata. The place rarely disappoints you. Last week, we had some special Fish and Mutton Kebabs, their signature dish Fish A La Diana and my favourite desserts Chocolate Soufflé and Cream Caramel. A great evening with friends and #MagicofFlavours

In a hot summer afternoon, yesterday in Indore, this cool South Indian Butter Milk, served in a earthen glass, spiced up the mood. #MagicofFlavours

Yesterday in Kolkata, I got to enjoy this local sweet. This Gujiya lookalike had a sweet maida-khoya outer covering, dusted with crushed pistachios and iliachi, had a chhena filling. It was a delight to savour as the sweetness was not over powering. Rather it was mildly sweet with flavours of khoya and chhena. I thought it was Mishti Singhara (it also has same combination except the shape) but was told it’s not. Could anyone help me with the name. #MagicofFlavours

This sweetness served aboard @airvistara #UK778 today, symbolises the professional service with a touch of warmth. Not only that it was a dish full of #MagicofFlavours but also denotes how a solid business like hospitality sits amidst a pool of softness. Perfectly complimenting.

My all-veg breakfast today at Taj Bengal, Kolkata was a delight to enjoy. There were colours, various textures and #MagicofFlavours on my table.

While in Varanasi, you can’t do without these Kachories. You may try these at any shop, famous or the ordinary, the fix is surely going to delight you. I had its various versions- Chhoti or Khasta Kachori, Gol Kachori, Badi Kachori and what not. Each one was simply great. For account on my #VaranasiFoodExploration for #MagicofFlavours during last week there, watch out this space. Details coming soon.

The famous Banaras Ki Lassi is available everywhere in the city. Served in Earthen Cups (kulhad), topped with thick Malai and crushed pistachios, one finds many a versions of this sweet concoction in Varanasi. You may try it at any shop, famous or the ordinary outlets, the fix is surely going to delight you. And still, they use the traditional hand churner to churn the curd. I couldn’t find anyone using a electric mixer. For account on my #VaranasiFoodExploration for #MagicofFlavours during last week there, watch out this space. Details coming out soon.

This perfectly boiled Cutting Chai in Earthen Cups (kulhad) is available at ever nook and corner of Varanasi. A tea lover can never get enough of it. Even if you don’t like tea, this brew in this cup will make you fall in love with it. For account on my #VaranasiFoodExploration for #MagicofFlavours during last week there, watch out this space. Details coming out soon.

Several of these slices are toasted in this traditional way in Varanasi everyday. These earthy aroma infused toast with your fix of tea in an earthern cup gives a perfect kickstart to your day. For account on my #VaranasiFoodExploration for #MagicofFlavours during last week there, watch out this space. Details coming out soon.

These earthy, simple looking baked dough balls known as Baati are a common sight on the roads of Varanasi. My #VaranasiFoodExploration for #MagicofFlavours during last week there started with these little bombs. Watch out this space for series on flavourful encounters in the holy city.

We celebrated our part of Chinese New Year last week at Yauatcha. On to our table, one by one, came: Chicken & Corriander Dumplings (a thin translucent film cover contained a delicious corriander infused minced chicken), Pan Seared Pork & Sesame Bun (soft buns having the top crusted with toasted sesame seeds gave crunch in the bite and nutty flavour to the succulent small chunks of mildly spiced meat inside); and Honey Smoked Spare Ribs (mildly sweetened, dominantly smoky flavoured succulent pork ribs). A burst of flavours on the palate, light on tummy and a bit heavy on the pocket. #MagicofFlavours

Very well relished this authentic Bengali Lunch in Oh ! Calcutta, last week, but in the reverse order. Our order of Luchi & Kosha Mangsho was served first, followed by Ilish Bhapa Sorshe & Rice. Perhaps the staff overlooked the three locals dining with me, the only north Indian in the group of four. When asked, the server had no answer. Well, despite the wrong order of eating, the dishes were amazing and authentically flavoursome. The mutton well balanced in spices and oil. Was succulent and on the bone. Fish was as soft as ever and the mustard sauce was perfect. A bit expensive but then good food comes at a cost, though not always. #MagicofFlavours.

This may look like a disintegrated crumble but it packed a flavourful punch in my breakfast yesterday. I ordered this Plain Rava Dosa at ITC, Kakatiya, Hyderabad. Normally a Rava Dosa is a thin crunchy papad. This one surprisingly was crispy outside and had a fluffy soft layer inside. Did go very well with the chutneys and sambar. What a delightful way to start the day with #MagicofFlavours

This Strawberry Cube, as they call it, from the iconic Flury’s in Kolkata will take you back into your childhood days. The days of basic pastries. It has a hard top layer of cream which is strawberry flavoured. The cake beneath is slightly hard and thick. A bite will give you a taste of strawberry, crunch & sweetness coupled with the flavour of the cake. Gives you a feel of having a sort of cassata ice cream. #MagicofFlavours

Where East meets the West at breakfast : Chanar Dal with Luchi, a Bengali delight and the Scrambled Eggs with Bacon & Mushrooms on a multigrain toast. Had this delightful combo at The Oberoi Grand , Kolkata yesterday. A flavourful breakfast sets the tone for an exciting day ahead. And the Oberoi Grand knows it well. #MagicofFlavours

Silky Fish, Soupy Veggies Fired With Fresh Red Chillies #MagicofFlavours

Chinese Samosa ? Literally Yes !! I Had this in Westin, Guangzhou in China in breakfast. It had a thin film like outer crust and was a bit crisp. Was deep fried but not very oily. The filling was of mashed potatoes and some spices. Was vegetarian and actually not bad. The name was also displayed as ‘Samosa’. I had it with sautéed mushrooms. #MagicofFlavours

A fusion of Marathi and French flavours onboard @airvistara flight #UK994 from Mumbai to Delhi : Chicken & Cheese Tart with a coriander infused Kothimbir Vadi. Vadi was fresh soft and moist with a mild seasoning. The Chicken Tart was a delight to look at. Sitting inside the tart cusp was a layer of melted cheese with a vignette of safron streaks dotted with black nigella seeds. The filling inside was a pinkish minced chicken meat, onions and beans. Was a bouquet of flavours for the palate. Couldn’t put my fork and knife down. #MagicofFlavours

Whether the traditional Lukmi in Hyderabad or the Mutton Puff in Kolkata, both are variations of our very own Samosa but with a twist. Both these have Mutton Mince as filling. I had Lukmi @ Soda Bottle Opnerwala, Hyd and Mutton Puff @ Flury’s, Kolkata. #MagicofFlavours

I always thought that my knowledge of places to eat good Bengali Food in Kolkata is slightly better than an average North Indian traveler to the city. However, after eating at Kasturi on Free School Street this week, I thought how incomplete my experience was till now. This place serves some amazing Bangladeshi cuisine, which is slightly different from the cuisine of West Bengal. I was pretty impressed the way they present the dishes in a tray to choose from. We were taken aback when a server brought a tray full of veg and prawns dishes in one tray and a complete range of fish dishes in another. We were told to choose what we wanted to eat. We had Kachu Pata Chingri Bhapa, Hilsa Shorshe, Chital Kopta, Rice, Dal and Aloo Jhurjhuri. A very enjoyable and satisfying meal. I will have to go there many times over to enjoy each one of the dish on display. #MagicofFlavours