The Square - Food Outside The Box

We went for the Durga puja special Novotel Bengali Buffet along with our office colleagues. First things first - 1. Cost per person is 1999/- +tax 2. The rate is flat with no veg only option (mostly in Kolkata it may not matter, but in Bengaluru, it might be quite an overspend for vegetarians). The staff were very courteous and friendly. Service was super quick for the items from the live counter ( like fish fry, Luchi and Kochuri, Fuchka, jhal muri, rolls). They were helping some of my colleagues who are not Bengali to explain and decide on the items. The food quality is very good in itself and one cannot complain anything about it. The spread was huge with a wide variety of starters featuring Mach bhaja (fried fish- catla, Rohu and Parshe), Panch bhaja (6 types- brinjal, Padwal, bitter gourd, potato and so on). There were further more starters from the bengali basket for both veg and non vegetarian like egg roll, paneer roll, chicken rolls, aloo badamer chop, beguni and so on. In the main course, there was the Bengali favourite Luchi and Alur dom, chicken dak bungalow, mutton kosha, parshe macher jhol , chittol macher muthya, paneer, bengali 5 veg mixed veggie(Panch meshali tarkari), platter of salads, moong dal, white rice, pulao, chicken Biriyani and a host of Chinese items for both veg and nonveg (Chinese items from kolkata are quite a hype in West Bengal). Deserts were full of bengali items like mishti doi, baked rosogolla, ledikini, chanar jalebi and many more. Few cons to me - 1. the sweets were bit more sweet for all of us. 2. The menu changes everyday. So one may not be sure on what would be the menu on that day 3. In an authentic bengali buffet, I would expect the below items - cholar dal, prawn malaikari or shorshe, bhapa fish (bhetki), authentic bengali chicken and mutton biriyani with aloo and egg, an item on Hilsa fish (although it was available as add on with an extra payment of 500/-). So, this was bit of a miss for us. Overall it was a good experience with few misses for us, but would have expected a bit more authentic Bengali food.

I had been here for dinner buffet with my fiancé for his birthday and wanted to surprise him with a cake, requested the same to the staff and must say, staff Amisha was very very kind and sweet enough to make it even more beautiful by setting up a cake and bouquet. All the other staffs too were courteous, friendly and professional at the same time. We had a wonderful experience all together and a Great hospitality. Thanks to Amisha for making it more special. You have great offers when you book the table for buffet thru Zomato.

We had a good time at lunch, here in The Square. They are celebrating Bengali new year 1430 and arranged for Bengali food festival from 15th to 23rd April '23. So most of the spread were Bengali food. Preparation of most of the items were good, special mention to be polao, cholar daal (chana daal), mochar ghonto (banana flower), kosha mangso (mutton kosha). In starter mutton kabab, chingri (prawn) pakora were also good. They had a live counter for different fishes like pabda, bhetki (seabass), prawn etc fry. Also a live counter for different veggies fried in Bengali style. Dessert options were huge, rasogolla, pantua (similar to gulab jamoon), chamcham, baked boondi were absolute delight. So the spread was very good and selection of items also appropriate for the occasion. They had some desi Chinese and continental items too. The place itself is decently specious and arranement of servings were also good, no where it was getting over crowded even though the venu was completely full. This was special occation so the food preparation were specific to Bengal. However I am sure their regular buffet preparation also would be up to the mark; hope to visit again for that.

Buffet was good with a lot of varieties. Music was louder, we couldn't speak. Music should be low in volume. It was a disturbance rather than entertainment. Not many Jain Veg options were there. Veg food items were kept just next to NV items which wasn't good. They should ensure proper separate counters for Vegetarian. They customised my pasta with a jain veg option. Desserts were good.

Lavish delicious spread , the best on Bellandur Outer Ring Road j feel. I am a regular here and last Sunday I was here or their exclusive MAYngo Sunday brunch with some of my friends. The spread is mind boggling and it has pan Asian , Japanese , Indian , middle eastern and continental cuisines to offer. The live music with great songs playing added to the charm and experience here.