I recently visited Santa’s Fantasea with the hope of enjoying a good dining experience, but unfortunately, my visit turned out to be quite disappointing on several fronts. While the restaurant might appeal to some for its theme or novelty, I personally found the core aspects of comfort, service, and food quality lacking. I’ll share my detailed observations so others can make an informed choice before heading there.
Seating & Comfort – A Major Deal Breaker
The first and most glaring issue is the sitting arrangement. The seating is highly uncomfortable, and this is not just a minor inconvenience. It genuinely spoils the overall dining experience. When you go out to eat, especially to a restaurant that markets itself as a specialty venue, you expect to be able to sit comfortably, relax, and enjoy your meal. Here, the chairs and layout felt cramped, with poor ergonomics that make you restless rather than relaxed. For me, this aspect alone was a deal breaker. A restaurant can serve great food, but if you are uncomfortable throughout your stay, the enjoyment fades away instantly.
Parking Hassles
Another practical problem is the parking arrangement. There isn’t a dedicated parking lot or even proper valet service. Guests are left to park on the roadside, which not only feels unsafe but is also inconvenient in a busy area. With cars whizzing by, finding a decent spot becomes stressful, and by the time you walk into the restaurant, half the mood is already spoiled. Good restaurants usually take care of this basic facility, and the absence of proper parking at Santa’s Fantasea was a huge letdown.
Food Quality & Quantity
Now, coming to the food—the heart of any dining experience. To be fair, the food itself was not terrible, but it was far from impressive. The quantity served is average, not at all proportionate to the price charged. When you’re dining out, especially at a place that positions itself as slightly upscale or theme-based, you expect generous portions or at least something memorable in taste. Unfortunately, what was served fell short of both expectations.
Menu Limitations
On top of that, the menu availability is unreliable. Several items listed were not available when I visited, and this isn’t a one-off issue—I noticed other reviews also highlighting the same concern. It’s frustrating to browse through a menu, get excited about trying certain dishes, and then be told that they are not available. A restaurant should either maintain stock properly or keep the menu realistic, but here the inconsistency was disappointing.
Overall Hospitality & Comparison
Hospitality is another area where Santa’s Fantasea did not live up to expectations. The service felt mechanical, and there was little effort from the staff to make customers feel valued or comfortable. In contrast, when I think of nearby alternatives like Chowman, the difference is stark. Chowman provides a much more comfortable dining environment, attentive service, and consistent menu availability, making it a more reliable choice for anyone looking for a pleasant evening out.
Final Thoughts
All things considered, I would not recommend Santa’s Fantasea to anyone looking for comfort and quality. The uncomfortable seating is the biggest red flag, followed by the parking issues, average food quantity, and inconsistent menu. Dining out is supposed to be enjoyable, a mix of good food and good ambiance, but unfortunately, Santa’s Fantasea misses the mark on too many key areas.
If you’re planning to spend your time and money, you’ll have a much better experience at places like Chowman, where hospitality, comfort, and food quality are all given equal importance. Santa’s Fantasea might work for a one-time novelty visit, but for me, it was disappointing enough that I...
Read moreSanta's Fantasea at Saltlake not only offers a captivating and magical experience but also delights the taste buds with a wide range of delectable culinary creations. During my recent visit, I had the pleasure of indulging in several mouthwatering dishes, including the Stuffed Squid, Prawn Wrapped with Chicken, Honey Lemon Prawn, Pot Rice, Hong Kong Noodles, Chicken Michiko, Chicken with Almond, Chicken Mapo Tofu, and Chicken Nest. The culinary offerings at Santa's Fantasea truly exceeded my expectations, leaving me with a memorable dining experience.
The Stuffed Squid was a revelation. Tender and flavorful squid stuffed with a delectable filling, it was a unique combination that delighted my palate. The flavors were perfectly balanced, and each bite was a burst of deliciousness.
The Prawn Wrapped with Chicken was a culinary masterpiece. The succulent prawns wrapped in a juicy and tender chicken coating created a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. It was a true delight for seafood and poultry lovers alike.
The Honey Lemon Prawn dish was a delightful blend of sweet and tangy flavors. The prawns were cooked to perfection, and the honey lemon sauce added a zesty twist that elevated the dish to another level. It was a refreshing and palate-pleasing choice.
The Pot Rice was a comforting and satisfying dish that showcased the culinary expertise at Santa's Fantasea. The aromatic rice, cooked with a variety of ingredients, created a flavorful medley that was both hearty and delicious. It was the perfect choice for those seeking a fulfilling meal.
The Hong Kong Noodles were a delight for noodle enthusiasts. The noodles were cooked to perfection, with a wonderful texture and a medley of savory flavors. The accompanying vegetables and sauces added depth to the dish, making it a standout choice.
The Chicken Michiko was a gastronomic delight. The tender and juicy chicken, cooked with a delightful blend of spices and sauces, created a harmonious explosion of flavors. It was a dish that showcased the culinary prowess of Santa's Fantasea's chefs.
The Chicken with Almond dish was a delightful fusion of textures and flavors. The crispy almonds added a delightful crunch to the succulent chicken, creating a perfect balance of taste and texture. It was a dish that left a lasting impression.
The Chicken Mapo Tofu was a treat for those who appreciate bold and spicy flavors. The tender chicken combined with the rich and flavorful Mapo Tofu sauce created a symphony of taste that delighted my taste buds. It was a dish that packed a punch and left me craving for more.
The Chicken Nest was a visual and culinary delight. The crispy chicken served in a nest-like presentation was not only aesthetically pleasing but also incredibly tasty. The combination of flavors and textures made it a standout dish that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Overall, the culinary offerings at Santa's Fantasea were exceptional. The attention to detail, the quality of ingredients, and the skillful preparation of each dish were evident in every bite. The flavors were well-balanced, and the presentation was visually appealing.
Santa's Fantasea has truly curated a remarkable dining experience alongside their magical attractions. Whether you're visiting for the entertainment or specifically for the culinary delights, Santa's Fantasea at Saltlake will undoubtedly leave you with a memorable experience and a satisfied appetite.
Please note that my review is based on my personal experience, and individual tastes may vary. However, I am confident that the culinary offerings at Santa's Fantasea will impress even the most discerning food...
Read more“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” ― Virginia Woolf
This Covid-19 Pandemic situation has changed the business model throughout the world. And as things are now gearing up slowly, its good to see the foodies are gaining confidence in visiting the restaurants around them.
Santa's Fantasea, a well known restaurant in Salt Lake Sector-1 area, is very much famous for its Seafood Cuisine and Tribal Cuisine. You will find very few restaurants in Kolkata which serves authentic and tasty Seafood dishes. This restaurant serves various seafood dishes varying from King Fish, Tuna, Mackerel, Prawns, Lobsters, Crabs, Pomfret, Squids and Octopus. Apart from seafood, there is also delicious dishes available of Chicken and Mutton. There are also some lovely Tribal Cuisines available from the states of Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and other North-Eastern states of India.
The restaurant is maintaining proper covid rules and good sanitization measures. Before entering, you hands will be sanitized alongwith temperature check and sanitization of feet and shoes. Inside the restaurant, there is the presence of a germ-free container rack for sanitizing the serving plates.
Coming to the interiors, it is beautifully decorated with 2 main themes, the Ocean theme and the Tribal theme. You will find the presence of various artworks throughout the walls. Lighting is good and sober, and the staffs are well behaved. Its a nice and cosy place with sitting arrangements of around 60 persons.
The Menu has two main parts containing dishes from the Tribal Cuisine and Seafood Cusuine. Under them there are varieties of Soups, Dimsums, Rice, Noodles, Breads, Starters, Desserts and Veg items available here.
Special thing to mention is the Bansh Pora preparations in Santa's Fantasea has become quite famous now. They are available in 3 dishes, the Bansh Pora Mutton/Chicken/Fish. Do try them for sure 😃
So finally we decided to order the following dishes:
Wild Red Rice - A spicy and veg dish Szechuan Crab Bansh Pora Mutton Honey Glazed Octopus
Wild Red Rice - This veg dish from Mizoram is spicy red and can be taken with any of the chicken or mutton dishes. Szechuan Crab - Its a smoke chilli crab prepared with tangy sauce which tasted really good. There were 2 medium sized crabs in this dish. Bansh Pora Mutton - One of the signature dishes of this restaurant and must try for non-veg lovers. The mutton pieces were cut small and the prepared dish was put inside a bansh and smoked fully. Once it is served on your plate from the bansh, it will have a typical smoked smell alongwith the spicy taste with which the mutton has been made. Honey Glazed Octopus - I had tasted a number of seafoods before, but here the Octopus was a first try. This dish which contained 6 small octupuses was prepared with Honey Ginger and Chilli flakes and garnished with a sweet and spicy sauce. Since our other ordered dishes were on a bit chilli side, so we decided to order this one which was on a bit sweeter side due to the presence of honey. And I just loved the preparation. It was really awesome!!!
So overall it was a nice experience with this restaurant serving lovely seafood and tribal cuisines. Its a much recommended for all my foodie friends.
Also Thanks to the restaurant Team for such a good effort in keeping customers Happy in such a hard time. Keep up the...
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