Chinoiserie — Restaurant in Kolkata

Today I visited, with my wife, the Taj Bengal for dinner. We reached around 9:15 and was hoping to squeeze in before the last order. We first went to Souk, but unfortunately there was no table available and we're told the last orders are at 9:30pm so no point waiting as no guest is about to leave the table in next 15 minutes. Next, we thought we'll try chinoiserie where the Maitre D accosted us. Upon asking for a table he said, last orders are at 9:15, and when we mentioned that souk just said that last orders are at 9:30, he said he has no table. When asked to clarify which is the reason - no table or the time he folded his hand in a Namaste, basically asking us to leave. We left disgusted immediately. This is totally reprehensible behavior at a taj hotel who take so much pride in their training. I'm visiting kolkata from Bangalore where we enjoy great hospitality at Taj West End during staycation all year round - very disappointed by the behaviour we faced at Chinoiserie. To be clear, the Maitre D at Souk also respectfully clarified that he won't be able to help us with dinner, and we have absolutely no issue with his behaviour. Taj Bengal has lost a patron forever and leaves a blemish in my psyche when dealing with taj...

The name Chinoiserie has always been synchronous with delectable Oriental cuisine laid out to the select few who would not mind paying the extra for the overall experience and who would not compromise with the quality in any way.

We had not been there in a very long time and navami night, the Durga puja and the overall festive mood beckoned for a visit and the inner food blogger within us wouldn't miss the chance on the same.

We were hardly disappointed infact it was an eclectic experience.. Taj Bengal was decorated beautifully for the occasion even with a splendid Goddess Durga idol in daaker saaj at the entrance. Chinoiserie was bustling and the service from the start was immaculate.

We had the custom made pan fried chilly fish in white sauce and a dumpling soup with kafir lime as the starter.The fish was made to our taste and the base and accompanying sauce was terrific and so was the soup as clear and tasty as I have tasted anywhere.

For the main course we had the Udon noodles and a custom chicken preparation and again both were rich in taste and the potion sizes were quite enough.

Would love recommending Chinoiserie and come back to taste on some other...

I had a highly annoying experience at the fine dining establishment because the table next to mine kept speaking loudly into their phones to cut deals and the management would not tell them to step out to take calls. This is a minimum in a fine dining place -- quiet and calm. Phone calls must be taken outside. Music and videos from phones must be prohibited. Conversations, loud laughter are fine and wonderful in fact. There is a musicality to the human voice and organic conversations. But one-sided conversations, as all phone conversations are, are an absolute red flag. It is unprofessional of the management to not request such patrons to step out to take their calls. The food and service was very good, but service includes such concern for every diner's comfort, not only eating pleasure. Incompetent service from the...