travelmemoirsofswaati.blogspot.in: September 2021

Nori brings authentic Japanese dining experience

The culinary world of Teppanyaki, Sushi and Sashimi with a fusion of South-East Asian delights beckons gourmet lovers at Nori.

The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat has gifted the “City of Joy” with the newest Pan-Asian, fine-dining food outlet, best known as Nori. During pre-pandemic times, I had a chance to embark upon a delectable culinary journey of Japan and South-East Asia at Nori, the 62-seater restaurant sprawling over 2,275 sq. ft area on the 31^st floor of the luxury property. The cheery new outlet threw opened its doors sometime in June, 2019 and has on offer a blend of Japanese, Thai, Chinese, Malay and Singapore cuisine. This is incidentally the first-of-a-kind outlet in Kolkata and in the eastern region to have live Teppanyaki and Sushi counters and the sinful Japanese and Thai delights have been brilliantly churned out by culinary veteran and expat Chef Franquilino Padua- hailing from Philippines and armed with two decades of experience.

Live Sushi counter at the outlet

Bamboo-walled interiors recreate the ambience of the Far East Asia and there is the traditional Japanese seating or the Private Dining Room well-known as Tatami.

Tatami or Private Dining Area

I had a glance into the Teppanyaki counter with separate vegetarian and non-vegetarian sections. The live Sushi counter displays imported sea food stuff including Salmon, Tuna, Eel, Ika and Hamachi. Moreover, the outlet provides an expansive 360 º panorama of New Town area.

A view of New Town from the outlet

I began with Tokyo Mule that is a good start to a lunch day outing. I was served Cream Cheese Maki (a Japanese roll), a kind of vegetarian Sushi best savoured with soya sauce and Wasabi sauce.

Cream Cheese Maki

Soon I moved on to relish some delightful Thai treats in order to satiate my taste buds including Crunchy Lotus Fritters and Tod Man Khao Pod- a preparation of corn kernel with Thai herbs and cheese that is savoured with sweet chilly sauce.

Crunchy Lotus Fritters and Tod Man Khao Pod

Satsumaimo Roll

There was Satsumaimo roll comprising sweet potatoes with Kabayaki sauce. The main course had Burnt Garlic Edamame Fried Rice with Stir Fried Asian Green and the Chinese dish- Spicy Mapo Tofu was another delight.

Chinese dish - Mapo Tofu

Franquilino Padua, Japanese Head Chef, Nori, The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat said, “All non-vegetarian and sea food items are imported. The top picks of our outlet are Crunchy Lotus Fritters and Kung Pao Chicken.”

Japanese Head Chef- Franquilino Padua

One should not leave the outlet without gorging on sweet bites like Tub Tim Krob, a Thai delight made of chilled jellied water chestnut and sweet coconut cream and the Matcha Cheese Cake of Japan deserves mention.