Jun 07, 2011 01:52 AM
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(Updated Jun 07, 2011 01:52 AM)
Back in our school days, Kolkata used to be Calcutta, and shopping malls meant AC market. In those days, hanging out did not mean chic malls and multiplexes.
Peiping restaurant brings back obvious memories from a different era. My earliest memories of the restaurant date back to pre-liberalisation era. Back in those days, hanging out usually meant a visit to a movie theater or a “happening” restaurant. No shopping mall or multiplex had mushroomed in Kolkata, so the best places for chilling out were almost exclusively centered around Park street.
The décor of Peiping used to be very minimalist in those days. Their menu tried its best to be “blandly” Chinese, without a generous sprinkling of spices in a desperate attempt to suit the Indian palate.
Eating out did not happen every weekend, it was almost exclusively reserved for the festive season or some special celebration. We used the occasion of Durga Puja to have a family get together of sorts. Very often Peiping would be chosen by the elders because they were(and still are) one of the few restaurants in Park Street that does not serve booze.
The ambiance was very serene, the waiters would be quick to politely suggest an item or two. The best part was, of course, economical. Peiping was one of the most “affordable” joints in the area, suiting everyone's pocket.
I choose to visit the place once more in 2010, just during Durga Puja. We had a family gathering along with some close friends as well. The experience itself was quite nostalgic, although much has changed in the past two decades. The place has been thoroughly renovated, giving it a more ornate look. The facade though, is mostly unchanged.
Peiping used to offer a wide array of salads for starters, as well as soups. The menu still features some old favorites, but has shrunk considerably. The prices are still reasonable, and the staff more or less friendly. However they are going the way of other Chinese joints, largely focusing on "Indianizing" the Chinese delcacies. Except for a few dishes, like a fish salad here, or a schezwan dish there, most items are trying their best to approach Mughlai dishes.
We managed to somehow stick to a few authentic dishes after discussing with the waiters. Finally downed the whole lot with some Thums Up. Some of us were a little disappointed that the place still does not serve booze, but all in all it was a happy trip down the memory lane.
