So my friend was repeating the benefits and good bits about this one joint, Chowman, for a considerable period of time. I have eaten there… about a couple of years back, but the food was… at best… meh, so I was not tempted to do a review. Mind you, nothing bad… really. However, not… inspiring, if you know what I mean.
Captured a bit of IDG’s head while I was enthusiastically taking sneaky pictures. 😀 |
On a Sunday evening, S and IDG told me that they were interested in checking the place out, and at first we headed for their Ballygunge outlet. However, that one only serves takeaway, and we wanted to have a sit-down meal, so we went over to their Golf Gardens outlet.
On our entrance, the friendly staff welcomed us immediately, seated us and got us our menus and water. We perused through the menu, while checking out the decor (love the fact that they have chopsticks on the table, unlike most other Chinese food places I know (Yes, you! You know who you are! I am looking at you!). We asked our server for some help with the menu selection, and he did tell us about what he felt would appeal to us.
Lemon Pepper Soup with chicken |
We ordered some food rapidly, soups and starters to begin with. While S selected the Hot and Sour Soup (95/-), I went for the clear lemon pepper soup (95/-) because I wanted something to soothe my throat which was giving me grief. The soup was everything that can be termed nourishing… a clear, but good broth, vegetables that were slightly cooked, and retained a satisfying crunch to them, slices of white chicken breast perfectly poached. It went down great with the Double Fried Pork (165/-) we ordered.
Double Fried Pork at Chowman |
Okay, here is my deal with Double Fried Pork. I used to order it every time I would go to a particular place from my childhood, and I swear by it. However, this version, with hints of star anise and melt-in-your-mouth pork is GOOD to say the very least. However, this is something that would taste in small quantities and not in bulk, if I may say so, and my lemon pepper soup went amazingly with it.
Chowman Special Noodles |
Our mains were made simple by S who wanted rice noodles and Fish in Oyster Sauce. I personally found the Chowman Special Noodles (155/-) to be quite thin, and therefore, I was automatically giving the dish negative marks (since I like my chow fatter). However, barring that, this dish was good with the fish, which was served right along with it.
Fish in Oyster Sauce |
I was not a big fan of the fish dish, although the two other people in the group did not mind it. The Fish in Oyster Sauce (210/-) was a nice serving of fish with an array of broccoli, mushrooms and carrots floating languidly in the thick gravy. However, I personally thought that the fish was slightly too fishy for my taste, and the Oyster sauce unfortunately brought out the fishiness quite deliberately.
Singapore Rice Noodles |
My friend, S wanted rice noodles, so we ordered the Singapore Rice Noodles (125/-) . I surely was not expecting this dish. It came with a lot of fried red chillies, and tossed in a hot wok. S mixed it with the fish and did not like it. However, when I was given the dish, I decided to eat it solo, and boy, it has to be one of the tastiest rice noodles I have had till date. Delicately balanced, fragrant and perfectly seasoned, this rice noodles needed a song and dance. When we could not finish our food, I actually told the good people of Chowman to pack the remaining stuff for me for my sister (what sister? I ate this all in the middle of the night, straight from the fridge, cold, and I swear it tasted better).
Our bill, with all the food and cold drinks, came to just about 1000/-, which I felt was a good price to pay for three, quite well-fed people. I want to return here, and try the dim sums and starters. Any volunteers?
Chowman
25/166, Prince Golam Mohammad Shah Road,
Near Bharat Petroleum Office,
Tollygunge, Kolkata
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0 Responses
Its quite good. Also, my friend swears by the Crispy Lamb.
I gotta try it out too..tht pork looks delicious
Next weekend?
S, we should meet up here one day. BTW they apparently have opened up in Ballygunge as a sit-down opposite 6 Ballygunge Place.
Me, me. I have been to the place and had their green and red curries too. Liked the place quite a bit.
i would love to go to this place….sucker for Chinese food 🙂