The Christmas bazaar around New Market and in other parts of the city, the rush to buy cakes and goodies, the Christmas Carnival on Park Street, the illuminations, the gaily decorated churches and homes of people, reveal Kolkata celebrates Christmas with as much zeal as it celebrates Durga Puja. Bakeries across the city come up with a delectable range of cakes and goodies. But there are five stops in the city which remain perennial favorites.
Nahoum & Sons
According to old timers, Christmas in Calcutta (the former name of Kolkata) was never complete without a rich fruit cake from Nahoum&rsquos. Founded by Israel Mordecai, a Baghdadi Jew, in 1902, it is still run by the family. A living legend, they hardly need to advertise. But come Christmas, the shop is choc a bloc with buyers. Jostle your way through the crowd to take a look at the shelves and teakwood and glass display cases to check out what&rsquos on offer &ndash fruit and plum cakes, cream filled pastries, rum balls, walnut and chocolate brownies, being some of the favorites. Also ask if they have some middle-eastern confectionery, such as baklava, on sale.
Address F-20, Hogg Market (New Market), Lindsay Street, Kolkata 700087
Flurys
On the threshold of a century, this once dainty tearoom (founded in 1927 by Mr and Mrs J Flury), on Park Street, has gone through a lot of changes to emerge as a popular restaurant. But its fame remains undiminished. Preparations for Christmas begin with the much-awaited cake mixing ceremony. And as Christmas approaches, people are not loath to stand in long queues at the Park Street shop to buy cakes and pastries. The dining section too sees a rush of people through the festive season. Their Christmas specials include plain and fruit cakes, rum and raisin cakes, Dundee cake, cupcakes, gingerbread houses, yule logs, etc. Their regular products too include a variety of pastries, chocolates, cookies, savories, etc. They have many outlets spread across the city
Address 18 Park Street, Kolkata 700071
Kookie Jar
In 1985, Kolkata resident Lovey Burman started a small corner bakery and café on Rawdon Street. But it did not take long for the word to spread about her special cakes, pastries, and savories. And although the company had its share of business problems, the brand did manage to come out of it riding on its goodwill. Some of the special offers this Christmas include Chocolate Christmas Tree, Snowman Cake, Chocolate pastries, Christmas pudding with brandy butter, to name a few. Don&rsquot forget to check out their range of boats and tarts too. Apart from their flagship store (whose official address is Shakespeare Sarani), they also have a limited number of outlets across the city.
Address Ground Floor, Express Tower, 42A Shakespeare Sarani, Kolkata 700017.
Also Read Bow Barracks Kolkata's Christmas Secret
J N Barua Food Products
Unless you are looking for it, you will probably miss this nondescript shop tucked inside a lane near central Kolkata&rsquos once well-known Anglo-Indian quarters &ndash Bow Barracks. Founded by JN Barua, this over 70 year old bakery has its own fan following. And as Christmas approaches, orders start pouring in for their fruit cakes, wine cakes, etc. They also make a special cake from &lsquochenna&rsquo or cottage cheese. And once there, don&rsquot forget to sample their range of patties, with fillings made from vegetables to mutton and chicken.
Address 6 Robert Street, Kolkata 700012
Saldanha Bakery
Also on the threshold of a century, this is one of Kolkata&rsquos popular bakeries which is being run by the same family. It was founded by a Goan couple Ignatius and Ubelina Saldanha in 1930. Each generation has added to the products on offer and improved upon the services. Although the company has got a makeover with a new logo and an extended menu, they have retained the warmth of yore. Apart from fruit cakes, their Christmas special menu includes Walnut Cake, British Tea Time Cake, Almond Iced Christmas Log, Coconut Macaroon, Lemon Drops, Blueberry Muffin, to name a few. They also have cheese puff, chicken patties and chicken sausage rolls.
Address 19, Nawab Abdur Rahman Street, Kolkata 700016
