Time Stops in Calcutta - Docking at Dacres Lane!

I will take the liberty in this post to call Kolkata as the Good Old Calcutta.I have mentioned it before in one of my earlier post that in Calcutta - sometimes time stops.It really does!There are nooks and corners in this city which suddenly makes you forget that you are living in this "Neo Modern - Heavy on Pocket - Mentally Stressing" era!

Take a walk down Dackers Lane and you will know what I mean.For the Calcutta Un-Initiated, Dacres Lane is between Esplanade Row and Waterloo Street.Nevertheless,for the occasional Calcutta visitor like me,walk down straight from the famous K.C.Das and after about 100 meters you will see a lane to your right.If you are there about 1.00 PM onwards, you will instantly recognize Dacres Lane by the sight of a number of office going people sitting on benches and eating.I must confess that I went there on a Saturday and had my dad along to narrate me the history of this narrow lane.

Named Dacres Lane after Milner Dacres , then collector of Calcutta , this lane was for 200 years the eating grounds for Sailors from various countries.In the 19th century,especially after the British leaving , the tradition has been carried forward by the fiercely food loving Bengali's.The first picture given above are the Live Chinese Stalls(like Bangkok) , who make delicious Chinese Fare right in front of your eyes.My dad even swore that in his last 40 years, he hasn't heard anyone falling sick from their cooked delicacies.In front of these stalls is the famous Chittoda's Stall - known for its tongue tingling Ghoogni(A spicy chick-pea dish) , which is followed by the mind freshning tea given in the earthen cup - called as Bhadh(in Bengali)

After finishing your meal,please dont forget to taste the healthy and tasty Lassi prepared by the quiet Halwai (Sweetmeat Maker) , who sits beside Chittoda's.

Please go for this small one hour lunch visit to Dacres Lane, next time when you are in Calcutta.I assure you , that like me...you will also be surprised by the little money that goes out of your pocket(average gastronomic lunch : 80 -100 Rs , with Sweet Dish and Tea included) when you are here.