Karim’s Entally launches heritage menu reviving old Calcutta flavours

Actor Darshana Banik who was at the launch relished the Mughlai delicacies and praised the biryani for its rich yet light taste, calling it a “beautiful reminder of the city’s food legacy”.

The restaurant, an extension of the Karim’s brand founded in Delhi in 1913 by Chef Haji Karim Uddin, has been operating in Kolkata for seven years. The new menu is intended to restore traditional cooking practices less common in modern kitchens.

To prepare the dishes, Karim’s has brought in retired chefs from Kolkata’s older establishments to train its kitchen staff.

The biryani follows the “dum” style of slow cooking, where rice, meat and potatoes are cooked together. Instead of heavy spices, the recipe emphasises ghee, milk, cream, curd and aloo bukhara for balance.

The menu highlights include Classic Mutton Biryani, Chitpur-style Mutton Chaap and Mutton Kassa.

“Our cooking is not about excessive spices but about the origin and quality of every ingredient,” said Md Aurangzeb, co-franchise owner and strategy partner at Karim’s Entally.

“We focus on authentic integration of flavours that transport diners back to the food culture of Calcutta from 40 to 50 years ago.”

(l-r) Md Aurangzeb, Darshana Banik, and Eqbal Alam at the launch. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Eqbal Alam, co-franchise owner and operations partner, said bringing in retired chefs was important to preserving the tradition.

Along with the heritage menu, the restaurant has opened a party area in the same building with capacity for up to 120 guests.

Packages begin at ₹999 plus GST per person, inclusive of venue, service, décor, cutlery and food. Catering services will also be offered.