As you wake up to the glorious Kolkata morning, the sight of quintessential Bengal welcomes you. The honks of yellow ambassador taxis visible in the distance and the gentle negotiation going on below with the seafood vendor are some of the colors of Bengal glimpsed through your window. However, it's the mouth-watering aroma of fish cooking somewhere that pulls you out of your delicious haze and sets you off to sample the amazing flavours of Bengali gastronomy. Quench your craving for kosha mangsho by reserving a table at Kolkata's favorite Bengali restaurant ‘Aaheli'. It was the first fine dining restaurant dedicated to pure Bengali food to open in the city in 1993. Since then this place has become an epitome of Bengali food excellence everywhere throughout the state. Aaheli is housed under The Peerless Inn, 12, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata.

The food at Aaheli is Bengali at it's best. The superb balance of flavours tickles your palate and manages to hit all the right spots. The food from the kitchens of east and west Bengal meets under one roof, Aaheli. Menu is quite extensive. Better opt for a thali to give yourself a more diverse variety. There is a vegetarian thali available as well, if one accompanies you. Otherwise, Aaheli is a seafood galore. No booze is available, better stick to a Bengali cooler. Save your appetite for the main course. Ask for mochar chop to whet your appetite. Move on with, piyaz aloo posto, galda chingrir karsaji, eelish bhapey, aam mangsho, dhokar dalna, swadey khasha murgi kasha, chamoki chingri malai, bhalo laga bhekti patoori and goalando pur-er mangsho.

Dip your food in aamsatta & khejurer chutney to elevate the flavours. No Bengali meal is finished without a traditional Bengali dessert. Aaheli offers an array of classic Bengali desserts for your pleasure. Enjoy, kheer-er goja, rajbhog, rabri, Aahelir sandesh, doi kalash and chhanar payesh. Sugarfree kalakand can be opted by calorie-watchers. Aaheli is an expensive place so better book a table through EazyDiner to gain great deals. Since it's opening in 1993, the restaurant has revamped it's décor. The classic blend of polished wooden wall panels with pale beige walls sets a timeless tone to their décor. Furnishings are formal and yet comfortable. Wall art depicting Bengali village scene reemphasizes the Bengali theme. Overall, the look is modern, smart and classy. It's a great pick for families and Kolkata's upper crust.