How To Ring In The Bengali New Year In Mumbai

Kaatla maacher kaalia from Ananya Banerjee's pop-up menu. Photo: Authenticook

Bengali New Year or Poila Baisakh like most regional new years, is a big celebration of sorts. In West Bengal, Poila Baisakh is the time for traders and shop owners to close their old accounts and open the ledger or haal khata. For others, it is time to embark on new beginnings. And what better way to usher in the new year than by enjoying a good treat with friends and family.

For those of you who live in Mumbai, and miss the action back home, here are a few ways in which you can ring in Poila Baisakh on Friday, April 14. We mean with good food, that is.

Here's wishing you Shubho Nobo Borsho!

Attend a Poila Baisakh pop-up by Ananya Banerjee: Ananya Banerjee has become a name to reckon with when it comes to reviving old and lost recipes of Bengal in the city. She is the face behind Bengali pop-ups in Mumbai, wherein she cooks and hosts delicious homely Bengali meals in her beautiful home. This Poila Baisakh, the Bong food goddess will be cooking up a storm for food lovers featuring a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian delights.

For the entire menu and to book your spot, click here.

WATCH: Bengali recipes by Ananya Banerjee

Insomniac Cook's menu has a mix of old and new dishes. Photo via Facebook

Order Bengali food from Insomniac Cook: When Madhumita Pyne is not hosting porky pop-ups with friends, she is cooking up Bengali food to be home delivered. This Poila Baisakh, treat yourself to some old and modern Bengali dishes such as Chingrir Pitha (prawn pancakes), Meter Ambol (chicken liver in a tamarind gravy), Kachalonka Mangsho (green chilli mutton curry), Bashonti Pulao (sweet and aromatic rice with dry fruits) and baked roshogolla. Bookings close on April 13, so make sure you have ordered your Bengali lunch or dinner for Poila Baisakh by then.

For the entire menu and details, click here.

Jumbo prawn malakari. Photo: Bhojohori Manna

Eat out at a Bengali restaurant: Mumbai, like most other metros, has quite a few restaurants serving homely as well as innovative Bengali food. If you are looking for a peaceful lunch or dinner, pick The Calcutta Club in Andheri for its quaint yet delicious offerings. For those of you who love a more fancy or fine dining setting, head to Oh! Calcutta for some modern Bengali food. And if you like some homely delicacies in a nostalgic setting, Bhojohori Manna should be your choice.

The Calcutta Club - Link Plaza, Near Police Station, Oshiwara, Andheri West

Oh! Calcutta - Khar, Tardeo and Andheri West

Bhojohori Manna - Chembur, Powai and Andheri West