After climbing four floors we reach Manzilat’s. A little window by the staircase offers a glimpse of the kitchen, where through smoke and the clang of vessels rises the soft strains of The Beatles’ as Manzilat Fatima swings and swishes her ladle. As the unassuming wooden door to the terrace opens, we are enveloped in the aroma of kebabs, rezala (an aromatic gravy that also includes poppy seeds, cashews and yogurt) , and biryani. Started by Manzilat, the great great grand-daughter of Wajid Ali Shah, the last king of Awadh, the six-year-old rooftop restaurant, with its share of history and flavour, is one of Kolkata’s culinary gems. Albeit lesser known when compared to old favourites Peter Cat, Mocambo et al, it needs to be on your ‘where to eat in Kolkata list’.
