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Off to a promising start

The newly-opened Howard Johnson hotel in Rajarhat is making all the right noises, especially with its delectable food.

Off to a promising start

Hotel

It barely warrants mention that the hospitality industry in Kolkata never had it so good. These days, with newer properties coming up almost every month, those arriving in the city for work or leisure have a plethora of options to choose from. And the latest entrant to this burgeoning list is the 90-room four star Howard Johnson hotel located in Chinar Park, Rajarhat.

It barely warrants mention that the hospitality industry in Kolkata never had it so good. These days, with newer properties coming up almost every month, those arriving in the city for work or leisure have a plethora of options to choose from. And the latest entrant to this burgeoning list is the 90-room four star Howard Johnson hotel located in Chinar Park, Rajarhat. A part of the US-based Wyndham Hotel Group, HoJo — as the popular acronym goes — caters to myriads of clientele.

That said, being in close proximity to the airport, it is a convenient pick for those travelling to the city on business. General manager Mahinder Rawat says, “Whatever our positioning, we are open for all kinds of customers. Our corporate patrons are growing as a lot of airlines are choosing us but we are not confined to it.”Those from the city needn’t despair as HoJo’s all-day dining restaurant, Nest, packs a mean punch when it comes to serving quality food.

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As the walls are done up in warm muted colours, a mural celebrating Kolkata in all its chaotic vibrancy stands out and is a sight for sore eyes. The same is true when it comes to the presentation of dishes. Apart from a 24-hour dining menu, sumptuous buffets are served for breakfast (7-10.30 am), lunch (12.30-3.30 pm) and dinner (7-11.30 pm). Executive chef Soumendra Nath Mondal says, “As we are in the City of Joy, two vegetarian and two non-vegetarian dishes are mandatory for every buffet service.

It’s our nod to the bounty of Bengali cuisine, which boasts some of the best flavours and ingredients going around. Apart from that, there are North Indian, Chinese and Continental options as well.”Special mention has to be made of the Mutton Biryani — lightly flavoured with just the right amount of spices and each grain of rice separate — as it is a rarity to come across one done so right outside of Mughlai restaurants.

The green Tangra-style chilli chicken is to die for and a specialty of chef Mondal. The desserts are also a thing of beauty and those with a sweet tooth would spoil themselves silly given the range on offer. The gajar ka halwa tart is pure bite-sized perfection!The staff is courteous to a fault and Rawat attributes that to their recruiting policy. He says, “We look for people who are humble. That is why customers are happy with the team. There is a lot of negativity about Kolkata and working here but I have found the staff to be smart and really hardworking. I feel there’s a need to promote the city more.”  With lip smacking food as its undeniable strong suit, Howard Johnson is sure to blaze a trail this year.

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