Jungle Safari | Kolkata — Restaurant in Kolkata

Let your eyes adjust to the dim lighting and behold, a jungle awaits.

Jungle Safari is an upgraded version of Machaan at Mani Square, taken over by the renowned Speciality Restaurants Group, and boy-oh-boy, what an upgrade. It’s an amazing place for young kids, as the decor is simply remarkable. A huge Gorilla awaits at the entrance. Once in, dim lights invite you to a true safari experience. There is a Jeep and an elephant welcoming you.

The entire place has grass flooring. So you can remove your shoes and just relax your feet on the grass. It will make you feel good indeed. Even the washroom has the grass flooring. Now there’s Tarzan, Zebras, Lions, Panda, Mowgli, Kaa, Baloo the Bear, Sher Khan and Bagheera hovering above you. Special sound effects also add to the adrenaline.

There is a mezzanine floor that makes one feel eating out in a treehouse amidst a jungle. There are a lot of artificial leaves dangling from the roof. No part of the place has been left untouched. A perfect themed restaurant I must say. The eye-catcher was the superb waterfall in the extreme right, which houses the cast from “The Jungle Book”. It’s a go-to place for Selfie lovers or group photographs.

Coming to the food, the menu has been curated to name the dishes as per the theme. They serve Indian, 50% Chinese, Continental and Italian dishes. Why 50%, because they don’t have fried rice in Chinese menu. Only noodles here. They also serve a whole lot of dishes without onion and garlic.

For the starters, we ordered-

Malai Pudina Tandoori Aloo: It was a different dish, where baby potatoes were roasted with a marination of chillies, cheese, mint and pepper. It gave out an amazing taste. The plating technique is common for all the starters. There were about 8 pieces, big and small, in the plate. CNC Bombs: The regular cheese balls infused with Pudina Chutney, so that you don’t need anything else to go along. It was served with Jalapeno Mayo Dip. Malai Broccoli: This was by far my favorite dish here. The broccoli were laden with cheese and creamy sauce, after being roasted in tandoor. It was full of flavors and everyone loved it. A second helping followed.

The main course included Penne Pasta, which was lacking salt and pepper to some extent. A small tinge of oregano and chilli flakes did the trick. We also had the Jeera Pulao, along with Dal Makhani, Hingwale Aloo, Aloo Bukhara Kofta. All the veggies had a thick gravy and tasted perfect except the Hingwale Aloo, wherein it tasted a bit sweet because of the high tomato puree content.

The whole place is superbly put up, with attention to details. The bar area is another attractive setup, where the bar is lit up impressively and well-decked. There is a massive aquarium underneath that houses 20 odd colorful fishes. A huge snake or “Kaa” from The Jungle Book and Bottle lights are hovering above. Kids will love the place. There is a small child inside me that also got excited while being here. The service is top-notch too.

Money well spent at The...

Alright, fellow foodies and adventure seekers, let's talk about Jungle Safari at Mani Square, Kolkata. Now, I know what you're thinking: "A jungle safari in a mall? Is this a petting zoo with a side of fries?" Well, it's definitely a unique experience, and as a food blogger, I went in with a healthy dose of skepticism and an empty stomach.

The Ambiance:

Stepping into Jungle Safari is like entering a kitschy, yet undeniably fun, themed restaurant. They've gone all-in with the jungle aesthetic: faux vines, animal murals, and the occasional animatronic creature. It's a bit over-the-top, but it's clearly designed to be family-friendly and visually engaging. Think Rainforest Cafe, but with a distinctly Kolkata twist. The lighting is dim, creating a "jungle at night" atmosphere, which adds to the novelty.

The Food: A Safari of Flavors (and Some Missed Turns):

Here's where my professional palate kicked in. The menu is a mix of Indian, Chinese, and Continental dishes, catering to a wide range of tastes. It's a bit of a culinary jungle, and navigating it requires some strategy.

The Highlights: The Indian dishes were generally the strongest. The biryani, while not groundbreaking, was flavorful and well-prepared. The tandoori items were also decent, with the chicken tikka being a reliable choice. The mocktails were surprisingly refreshing, especially the ones with fruit-forward flavors. They provided a welcome respite from the Kolkata heat. The kids meals were well thought out, and presented in fun ways.

The Areas for Improvement: The Continental dishes felt a bit generic. The pasta and pizzas were adequate, but nothing to write home about. Consistency seemed to be an issue. Some dishes were perfectly seasoned, while others were bland. Some of the chinese dishes were too oily for my liking.

The Experience: More Than Just a Meal:

Jungle Safari isn't just about the food; it's about the overall experience. The animatronics, the jungle sounds, and the themed decor create a memorable atmosphere, especially for children. It's a fun place to celebrate a birthday or simply enjoy a family outing.

The Verdict:

Jungle Safari at Mani Square is a fun, if slightly uneven, dining experience. It's not going to win any Michelin stars, but it's a solid choice for families looking for a themed restaurant with a wide variety of food options. Focus on the Indian dishes and the refreshing beverages, and you'll have a good time. It's a place where the ambiance and the overall experience take center stage, and the food plays a supporting role.

Food Blogger Tip:

Go with a group so you can try a variety of dishes. Don't expect fine dining; embrace the fun and the novelty of the experience. If you have children, they will love it.

Ultimately, Jungle Safari is a unique dining destination that offers a break from the ordinary. It's a place where you can embark on a culinary adventure without...

Location : Located At 4th Floor Of Mani Square Where All Restaurant's Are Situated.

Ambience & Service : Overall Great Experience With Ambience, Classy Jungle Themed Restaurant With Dark Lighting And Full Jungle Feels. Animal Statue's, Safari Jeep, Etc. Coming To Service, All Attendants Were Polite And Humble.

Food : Starters - • CNC Bombs Rs 255 : To be really honest, it lacked the cheese ball thing. It tasted like a potato ball with cheese in it.

• Paneer 303 Rs 285 : It was okish, not that great.

• Malai Pudina Tandoori Aloo Rs 235 : Liked it the most among the starters. It was so good had to order it again. Best to taste.

Main Course - • Mowglis Favourite Hakka Noodles Rs 195 : Flavours were too blunt, they didn't even have the veg manchurian as a side dish very disappointing.

• Mix Sauce Penne Pasta Rs 295 : Was good, but a little sweet.

• Hingwale Aloo Rs 325 : Amazing to taste, was super delicious. Really liked the flavours and quantity was also good. Homely feeling with a restaurant touch.

• Tawa Sabzi Nizami Rs 325 : While ordering thought it to be a regular mix veg type sabzi, but man o man really liked the taste. The crispy of the veggies, the ground spices flavours everything was so apt.

• Safari Dal Makhani Rs 210 : Dal makhani was also good to taste just classic.

• Dum Cooked Aromatic Rice Veg Biryani Rs 325 : It wasn't the best biryani I've ever had yeah but wasn't the worst. It was really good and the raita with it was delicious. Balanced flavour. Only complaint our attendant brought it with breads only, should have waited for us to finish the breads. It got a little cold while we had it.

• Garlic Naan Rs 65 : One of the best Naan I've ever had was so soft and fluffy. Just the best till date.

Desserts & Mocktails - • Baloo's Mojito Rs 160 : Classic Mojito With Jal Jeera Flavoured Inflused In It.

• Sher Khan's Cooler Rs 160 : Gondhoraj Lime Cooler, Great Cooler To Ease Down Your Junk Food Intake.

Overall mixed review, wasn't too satisfied nor...