Barkaas Arabic Restaurant — Restaurant in Kolkata

He foodies welcome back to Petuk Kotha, hope you guys are doing fine. To celebrate Christmas we thought of trying something new, that we've never tried before. So we came up with this newly opened restaurant Barkaas Kolkata ,who's among the first to offer Arabic Mandi.Barkaas Arabic Cuisine is remarkably known for its Mandi Biryani. The moist and dewy texture of Mandi biryani is a madcap for many biryani lovers. So, what is Mandi? Let me enlighten you, Mandi is an Arabic dish similar to biryani but the cooking style is totally different .Mandi is a traditional dish that originated from Hadhramaut, Yemen, consisting mainly of meat and rice with a special blend of spices, cooked in a pit underground. An authentic mandi dish is always cooked in an underground oven called Taboon. Coal is used to cook the meat, hence the meat has a Smokey flavor. It is extremely popular and prevalent in most areas of the Arabian Peninsula, and even considered a staple dish in many regions. As we stepped inside the restaurant which is on the first floor the inside is beautifully immaculated & organized. They have two section of sitting arrangements, one is the normal sitting with tables & chairs, second is the pretty section, that is where we choose to sit. You can see that is the traditional sitting arrangements that is popular across Arabian countries, it has these low lying tables over a soft mattress with lots of small pillows & cushions for comfort, where 5-6 person can easily fit (If you  have lower back pain then don't choose to sit here ). This is the perfect option for sitting with friends & family to have meal together. This type of sitting is called Majlish sitting.                                                First things first this, Barkaas restaurant is originated in Hyderabad & this is their first outlet in Kolkata serving some mouthwatering Arabic dishes including Mandi which is the main attraction of this place. This restaurant is located at Mallick Bazar Crossing.

Location : 147, Park St, Mullick Bazar, Beniapukur, Kolkata, West Bengal 700017

Let's come to what we ate -

A.Shish Tawook - 279 ₹ B. Mutton Juicy Mandi - 649 ₹ (Half) C.Kaddu ki kheer (Complimentary) D. Soft Drinks 60 ₹  ( Each )

Shish Tawook - Which is basically charcoal grilled appetizer. Where boneless diced chicken pieces are grilled on a charcoal to perfection with some secret spices . The chicken was cooked properly both from inside & outside, it was extremely moist and flavory. With the given mayonnaise dip ,it was mouthful of happiness.

Mutton Juicy Mandi - The main attraction of this place, the Mutton Juicy Mandi, they suggested us to take this. Which had 3 large pieces of mutton and flavored rice around the mutton. You won't believe until you try this the caramelized onion's taste was bursting out which was beyond amazing. It had a tomato sauce in a bowl which was made from tomato puree, some coriander & onions. There were two other accompaniments like shorba & garlic based fresh mayonnaise those were pretty good .The rice itself had plenty of roasted almonds, cashews & also raisins ,the rich flavors of rice was absolutely stunning .The flavors were all going together so well like the saffron, onions which were fried so perfectly it felt like crunch & chewy at the same time. The large mutton pieces were so delicate & wonderfully cooked that it came right of the bone, it was super juicy & moist.

The staffs were extremely courteous ! They even gave us complimentary dessert which was something else to cheer you up!

Bill was around 1087 with Gst .

Pocket Pinch for...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at this Arabic restaurant in Kolkata, and it turned out to be a truly remarkable experience. From the moment I stepped inside, I was greeted with warm hospitality and an inviting ambiance that set the stage for an enjoyable culinary journey.

The highlight of my visit was undoubtedly the Lebanese grill chicken and Turkish grill chicken. The succulent pieces of marinated chicken were grilled to perfection, offering a tantalizing blend of smoky flavors and aromatic spices. Each bite was an absolute delight, and the tenderness of the meat was exceptional. The accompanying dip complemented the flavors impeccably, creating a symphony of tastes that left me craving for more.

The Mutton Mandi was another culinary masterpiece that showcased the restaurant's expertise in Arabic cuisine. The aromatic long-grain rice, tender mutton, and fragrant spices came together in perfect harmony. The dish was cooked to perfection, with the meat so tender that it effortlessly fell off the bone. The flavors were rich, complex, and truly satisfying. One thing keep in mind Madi doesn't taste like Biriyani, it's a completely different preparation and taste.

Another standout dish that I must mention is the Kunafa. This traditional Arabic dessert was a sheer indulgence. The crispy, golden layers of pastry encased a luscious filling of melted cheese and sweet syrup. The contrast of textures and the balance of sweetness were simply divine, making it a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Aside from the delectable food, the service at Barkaas Arabic Restaurant was exceptional. The staff members were attentive, knowledgeable, and ready to assist with any queries or recommendations. The overall dining experience was elevated by their warm and friendly demeanor.

The restaurant itself was well-maintained, with a cozy and authentic Middle Eastern ambiance. The Arabic music playing in the background added a touch of charm, transporting me to the heart of the region.

In conclusion, my visit to Barkaas Arabic Restaurant was a delightful culinary adventure that left a lasting impression. The Lebanese grill chicken, Turkish grill chicken, Kunafa, and Mutton Mandi were exemplary dishes that showcased the restaurant's commitment to quality and authenticity. Combined with impeccable service and a charming atmosphere, Barkaas Arabic Restaurant is a hidden gem for those seeking an unforgettable Arabic dining experience in Kolkata.

If you are going for Mandi please keep in mind that half Mandi is more than enough for two people. I suggest to order the Single Mandi for two people. We two couldn't finish half Mutton Mandi.

Note: This review is based on my personal experience and reflects my honest opinion. You need to be atleast 4 persons to get...

📍Location : Park Circus, in the Oyo Hotel opp to Shiraz Rating : 4/5 Barkas, is a neighborhood in the old city of Hyderabad and the name Barkaas originates from that. This is the only restaurant serving solely Arabic food in Kolkata to my knowledge. The concept of 'Mandi' originates from Hadhramaut, Yemen in the Arabian Peninsula where it is a staple. Mandi is a traditional dish consisting mainly of meat and rice with a special blend of spices, cooked in a pit underground. The basic culture is to sit down together and eat the meal together from the same plate. Barkaas, primarily in located in the first floor of an Oyo hotel is an all day dine-in restuarant with low level seating and mid levek chai tables. The low seating is made with the actual mandi concept and is comfortable to sit with a group of friends. The day I went they didn't have all the items on the menu however all the items we tried,we loved most of them.

✓ Mutton juicy mandi - The signature mandi comes with a good portion of mutton, rice, salan, raita & salad. The flavours were awesome and I definitely recommend this mandi. The portion size can be chosen as per the number of persons. We took the medium one and that's good for 3 people. The rice is delectable and the meat is soft, juicy and melt in the mouth. ✓ Mutton kabsa - Kabsa is a mixed rice dish, served on a communal platter, that originates from Saudi Arabia but is commonly regarded as a national dish in countries of the Arabian peninsula. The dish is made with rice and meat. However, here they are serving this as a starter and so it was the meat only. Soft flavourful mutton chunks just falling of the bone. It was cooked very well and a good one to tickle your taste buds for long. ✓ Chicken adaraki - This was a typical mughlai curry with rich spices. It was delectable and a good side to go with Indian breads or rice. ✓ Kaddu ki kheer - This was brilliant as the sweetness was well balanced. Smooth and delicious to end your meal with. ✓ Shahi tukda - The shahi tukda was good but I have had better ones. The crunch was missing though the flavour was good.

The service is good however the staff has a little less knowledge about the things on the menu. Overall if your looking to try for something different and unique in the f&b sector in Kolkata, this should be first on your bookmark.

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