It’s that time of the year again when markets and malls are decked up with shimmery lights and all things red, green and white. Christmas is the time to make merry, and amid the winter season we can’t help but do that with the best of food and wine. Picture some mulled wine and more cocktails along with some baked fish, minced pie, pita pockets, roast duck and more on your table for the Christmas feast, aren’t you slurping already? Seems like Monkey Bar saw you and made it all come true. Monkey Bar Delhi, part of the pan-India brand, brings to you The Great Indian Christmas with a specially curated Christmas special menu. Incorporating unique cocktails and a food menu that gives an ode to the mums and grandmas across different regional communities, who lovingly cooked up a feast for Christmas each year, Monkey Bar could be the place to be on Christmas for those who can’t be home this holiday season.
We visited the place the next day of the menu launch and felt the Christmas vibe right at the entrance of the stunning glass pyramid. The warm yellow lights that lit up the entire gastropub, lit-up reindeers, stars and snowflakes hanging high from the ceiling, made us feel instantly cosy and warm. The Christmas menu, is though small but seems to be carefully curated so it has something for everyone. It basically takes you on a trip to the regional flavours of Anglo Indians, the Syrian Christians, and the East Indian families. The cocktails are range from a classic mulled wine to a heady spin of East Indian Khimad – a semi spiced sweetened mix of rum and gin with cardamom, cloves and black jaggery syrup and topped with hot water. My tryst with Xmas Pinag, which is inspired from Goan Christmas dessert Pinaca, is a must to mention. The cocktail has a black jaggery base and is a mix of vodka and brandy, topped with soda and a pinch of black salt, it is just what you need this Christmas season to top the winter chill.
Image: Monkey Bar
The food menu is equally unique and eclectic. Inspired by food cooked in different homes across the country at this time of year, the menu reinvents some Indian classic dishes and add a unique touch to make them all distinct. We started with East Indian style Bottle Masala Shrimp Pan Roll, which also came in a vegetarian version with cottage cheese. The pan rolls were crispy and packed with a spicy masala, when served with mango ginger chutney, this will instantly find its way to your favourites list. The sweet and sour Mangalorean Chicken Indad served with warm Sannas, has already got me going back to the place. The sumptuous interplay of flavours in this Mangalorean version of vindaloo is too delicious to miss. Roast Duck Mappas from Kerala, served in a hearty coconut curry with black pepper, coconut and a special garam masala mix, is another highlight of the menu. Baked fish is my weakness and I was really looking forward to this Anglo-Indian version. Served with a special with a Monkey Bar style curry sauce, the delicate fish stole my heart. We had to pass on potato chops, but the pita pockets are perfect to kickstart a party. Stuffed with vindaloo and cured smoked ham, we loved how the green apple and jalapeno chutney complimented the dish.
‘The Great Indian Christmas’ festival at the Monkey Bar Kolkata is on till January 6, 2022. The wholesome menu with some of the most unique Christmas cocktails make this a perfect place to revel this Christmas season. It’s the season for great spirits, so make sure to celebrate it with a high like no other. Let the festivities begin early this year!
Merry Christmas!
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