Biryani and Kabab Festival at City Center I, Kolkata

For those of you who have missed it, and you have missed it if you are reading it after 9 o'clock tonight and you aren't at City Center I, Kolkata, this was quite epic in its own rights. 

The cash counter overflowed with the number of people waiting their turn to experience the unique experience of having ten top contenders for the best Biryani of the town under one roof. Of course there were other perks too.

The price list was pretty specific and most stuff hovered between 100-150 a plate.

Let us have a look at the contenders for the top spot, shall we?

Zeeshan from Beck Bagan and Mezban from Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road

New Aliah from Bentinck Street

Haji Saheb from Behala

Haji Saheb was the one I was quite excited about. However, in the end I did not get anything from there as they had run out of the Mutton Biryani I was so looking forward to.

Rahmania from Mallick Bajar More, Aminia from New Market (Municipal Corporation)

We sort of steered clear of the usual suspects like Shiraz, Arsalan, Rahmania.

Chhote Nawab from Circus Avenue

I personally am not a fan of Chhote Nawab. I do not find their Biryani quite up to my personal standards.

Arsalan from Park Circus Crossing (Allegedly the best Biryani in the town)

Krazy Kabab, surprisingly, had quite a fan following. 

Shiraz from Mullickbazar Crossing and Krazy Kabab from Fazlul Haque Sarani

The ten contenders were thus introduced.

Arsalan holds the rank for being the place which was mobbed. Indeed, their stall had the longest queue and I steered clear of it, as I have eaten all I can handle from the joint and wanted something else.

Our team, about 6 people strong, had the brilliant idea of buying food from a number of stalls, and so, we ended up with Biryani from Mezban, Aminia (Southern one, apparently, that's near Golpark), New Aliah (as those were the places we looked forward to) and other stuff as well. Like the amazing, melt-in-your-mouth mutton pasinda from Aminia (AMAZING!!!) and the fantastic Chaap from Mezban and New Aliah.

In the end, I have to say, I was stumped by the Biryanis from Aliah, Aminia and Mezban. Although I have nothing against the names like Shiraz and Arsalan, I would have to say that Mezban, Aminia and Aliah left me speechless.

I am so glad Telegraph thought of it.