Jagatmata Bhojanalaya — Restaurant in Kolkata

2nd destination of my Pice Hotel journey by following Foodka's series I went to Jagatmata Bhojanalaya. A Bengali Odia hotel located at Kailash Bose St that is more than 100 years old. This place has some sweet memories in my life.

A little history : I've been to this place almost 10 years ago with my Grandpa. Uff! those were days, holding his hand going to such places to eat, actually this place was introduced to me by my Grandpa only.

Then somehow this legendary place got lost somewhere in my mind. Thanks to Foodka's Pice hotel series, all those memories just came back to my life once again when I revisited this place after all these years.

Life now a days : Working in the corporate life, sitting in front of the computer for all day and living modern lifestyle, we Bengalis forgot our tradition of sitting on the ground. So when I saw a mat laying on the ground I sat on it and I've no shame of doing that.

But that wasn't the case with everyone else. The Table Chair area was full and still people were waiting to get seated. Where as on the opposite ground floor sitting room was empty. Maybe no one really likes it anymore or I'm being little too old fashioned. Well! Thats how I'm.

Traditional Bengali Thali : I was bit late to reach there around 2pm and I found most of the dishes were already finished for the day. So couldn't follow Foodk's recommendations this time but ordered other left over fish special dishes.

Macher Matha Saag Chorchori Mourola Macher Aloo Diye Jhal Parce Macher Sorse Bata Diye Jhol

How does it taste : All were having very distinct homely taste with the punch of green chillies. Served on banana leaf definitely changed the taste. You can choose Kasar Thala as well. Here the rice you get isn't the most thin & fine quality, it's basic fat & bold little too moist rice.

Here Saag Chorchori wasn't as impressive as Swadhin Bharat Hotel. Mourola was definitely good but without potato it would have been great. Parce was deeply fried hence felt bit hard but held its taste.

I was willing to try their Aamer Chutney, but unfortunately didn't got it on that day. Don't worry I've alternate surprise dessert at end.

Pricing : This place is way cheaper than the last Pice Hotel I visited. Look at the wall hanging menu board attached with the review.

My bill was only Rs.192 including all 3 fish items. But if you order some premium Bengal Fish like Chital, Pabda or Chingri that might cost you near to Rs.300 just for the fish.

Conclusion : If you've came this long and waiting for my rating then let me tell you I'm no one to rate them. They're in business even before I was born. But I'll surely make a list of my favourite Pice Hotels.

Wait wait wait! I haven't finished yet. Dessert is still remaining right? Located just a few steps away towards Amherst Street you'll find Ghosh & Co. I think there couldn't be any better option than their Misti Doi to finish...

One liner : Please don't eat here, I got typhoid by their contaminated water!

Le'mme start with this : I'm a voracious foodie, wherever I connect heritage with food, I visit them. Jaganmata Bhojanalaya tick both boxes. That's why I visited the place for a memorable lunch.

But, when you compromise 'health and hygiene' for 'heritage', you're gonna end up in BIG TROUBLE! I had to pay heavy price for it. I got typhoid by drinking their regular serving water and had to get admitted in AMRI Hospital for about a week!

Now comes the review: Location: hard to locate. Even google can't locate it exactly. You need to ask nearby people! (Rating :1/5) Interior & Ambience - pathetic. Just because it's a heritage pice hotel doesn't mean you won't clean it. The walls, the tables, the lights everything needs overhauling. For the hygiene's sake, ask atleast urban company to clean it! (Rating :0/5) Food hygiene - terrible. Please if you still wanna visit, carry your own water. DO NOT EAT anything that is uncooked (be it salad, lebu, lonka, peyaj, water n all). Everything that is uncooked, has to be contaminated here. If you still consider it worthy of a visit, then you can try - a) Mutton kosha (you have to come by 1.30 pm max. Otherwise you won't get it). b) various fish items (although subject to availability).

The reason of this elaborated review is nothing but to warn you that, nothing comes before your health and wellbeing. Do not compromise it just for the sake of eating. I paid the harsh way for it. You shouldn't. And...

My recent visit to this supposedly legendary eatery was nothing short of an epic comedy. We strolled in fashionably late at 2:30 P.M., having eaten just two hours prior and with no intention of tackling a heavy meal. Our goal was to merely dabble in their culinary creations.

But lo and behold, the first act of this culinary comedy began when they declared that mutton had taken its curtain call for the day. The owner, with all the dramatic flair of a seasoned actor, practically begged us to try their chingri or pabda dishes. It was like a one-man show of seafood persuasion, but we weren't buying tickets.

In an unexpected twist, our request for "alu vate" was met with a rejection that could rival the best punchlines. Then, as if it were a slapstick skit, the owner offered a single plate of mutton, for one person only. We were left wondering if this was the world's most exclusive mutton club.

But the climax of this culinary comedy came when we realized they didn't offer a vegetarian option or allow sharing dishes. It was as if we had unwittingly stepped into a food sitcom.

In the end, we exited this gastronomic theater with both amusement and disappointment, not wanting to waste food and feeling like we'd just witnessed the quirkiest food stand-up routine. It was certainly an experience to remember, though not for the reasons...