Restaurant review – Santa’s Fantasea, Salt Lake, Kolkata 

Ever since I moved back to Kolkata,I have been hearing about the popularity of this place. A visit in the month of February this year clearly justified their popularity. Till date, we have visited this restaurant quite a few times and they have never let us down in making it a delightful experience always. Located quite near to the Salt Lake swimming pool, this place stands out in terms of the uniqueness of their decor and food. While it is recommended to reserve a table before visiting, specially on weekends, I must also mention that we managed to get tables without prior booking as well.

Ambiance – The place has downright amazing architecture and decor. Right from the entrance to the interiors, it transports one to a different world altogether. The front part of the restaurant has mystic lighting that literally makes one feel sitting amidst sea creatures. The feeling is magical. The back side is more about natural light and tribal  art and decor. The outlet is medium sized yet the seating arrangement is comfortable and well spaced out. They have chairs and tables made of bamboo with a glass top over the tables. Water is served in kulhars (clay pots). A perfect place for families, couples and friends.

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The decor

Food – The place can rightly boast of creating one of the most unique menu. Right from the tribal cuisines to the exotic seafood collection, the food at this place is absolutely outstanding. Their signature Bansa pora mutton/chicken(made in bamboo that resemble flutes and cooked in Tandoor) is a must try. Despite not being a great fan of seafood, I ended up relishing their butter garlic squid while my husband was floored by their oyster chilly basil octopus dish in the starters menu. For the main course, we tried their sea food topping rice noodlesbansa pora chicken and fish schezwan pepper . They serve huge portions. For the two us, we managed to finish the starters only and had to get a sizable portion of the main course packed. Every item is exceptionally good in terms of taste, hygiene and look.

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Octopus, sea food topping rice noodlesbansa pora chicken and fish schezwan pepper

Service – Our first visit was quite impromptu. At 3PM, I had called the restaurant for directions and it was around 3:35PM when we reached. It was nearly their closing time (now they are open till 10:30PM). Yet the warm welcome that we received will stay with us forever. We were seated at the last table in the end portion since that area was more spacious for my then one and half year toddler to run around. The restaurant was almost vacant then. The staff attending to us not only recommended their signature dishes but checked on us after each dish to confirm our liking. It was beyond his own lunch time yet his gesture touched us. Service is also very prompt. Staffs are polite, courteous and well informed about their specialty dishes.

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Good food, great service

Pricing – The price of this eatery, as compared to the quality and quantity served is very moderate. The pricing is quite affordable. So while it fills the stomach and soul, the pocket doesn’t feel the pinch. Explains the popularity of the restaurant amidst both youth and families.

Rating across various parameters would be –

Ambiance – 4.5

Food – 5

Service – 5

Pricing – 4.5

Overall – 4.8

This is a must visit place for seafood lovers. Those who love experimenting with food would love the tribal cuisines. Eating out here is more of a soul enriching gastronomic journey since the restaurant has successfully managed to uplift food to the category of an art form.

Link to the review on Trip Advisor is

https://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g304558-d8830175-r541332089-Santa_s_Fantasea-Kolkata_Calcutta_Kolkata_District_West_Bengal.html#REVIEWS

Santa's Fantasea Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Author: Sonia Chatterjee

Who am I? An erstwhile banker turned blogger/writer/author. Any qualifications? A Post-Graduate degree in Chemistry followed by a second Post-Graduate Diploma in Management. I completed a one-year MFA in creative writing course from the Writer's Village University, U.S. in Dec 2020. Though I must admit that I am still trying to figure out how and when I can connect all these dots. Have I done any real work? If two years in market research, six years in banking as a branch head, three-plus years of blogging, writing, and publishing a book can be considered as real work, then yes! Where do I live? After spending life like a nomad for sixteen years in Delhi, Bangalore & Mysore, I am back to where it all started from - Kolkata. My favorite things - Books, coffee, travel, food, and my five-year-old son. What is this blog about? Through Sonia's musings, I intend to explore writing in various genres, create social awareness, spread laughter, and give words to emotions. Anything for readers? You can check out my book 'Deal of Death' on Amazon Kindle. If you like fast-paced thrillers, this Detective fiction introducing the woman sleuth, Raya Ray could turn out to be your perfect weekend read.

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