Bara Bazar, perhaps the busiest and the most crowded place in Kolkata, is known for it's various wholesale markets and the famous Nakhoda mosque. This is the place where the hustle and bustle of the ever busy city falls in love everyday with the mystical tune of the azan as the setting sun paints the sky with the deepest hue of orange. 'Royal' is the silent witness to this eternal romance.
Royal Indian Hotel, popularly known as Royal, is known for it's chaap. Specially marinated meat is slowly cooked in ghee on a flat base to give an exquisite Nawabi touch. A paste of cashew and poppy seeds takes care of the delicious gravy while a little kewra water (an extract distilled from pandanus flowers) weaves the luring web of magical aroma. To add to this, you get to taste the authentic old-school "Bengali" biriyani which has it's roots in the Lucknow gharana of the delicacy. The royal chefs still follow exactly the same procedures for preparing these exclusive dishes as were used in the Nawabs' rasoikhana (royal kitchen).
Being located near Nakhoda Masjid on Chitpur road (also known as Rabindra Sarani), there should not be any hindrance in finding the place. It is a two-storeyed building with the ground floor having an ambience which is time-worn yet close to heart. The upper floor is air-conditioned and hence more soothing. But crazy food lovers like me still prefer the former which is heavily filled with the rich aroma of the chaap coming from the kitchen.
While you are having your food spare a moment and look outside. The crowded shops, the sound of trams passing by, the azan and the pleasing aroma of the food have tantalized all your senses to a point of no return. Kolkata has become a part of your soul. It's twilight. Welcome home! :)