Anglo-Indian cuisine developed during the British rule in India, a mix of India's spices and the gamey roasts and stews of the Brits. If you have never sampled the flavours, here's your chance.  

Kolkata's retro restaurant Chapter 2 is putting together an Anglo-Indian food festival which will bring some of the best of this special cuisine to your tables.   

The menu will include popular Anglo-Indian dishes&nbsplike Cold Cucumber Soup, Beef Macaroni Soup, Railway Prawn Cutlet, Beef Chilli Fry, Anglo Indian Mixed Vegetable Cutlet, Anglo Indian Pork Roast, Mixed Vegetable Foogath, Country Captain Chicken Curry, Pork Bhoonie, Pork Sorpotel, and Prawn Balchao.

Europeans (mostly British) and Indians have shared a layered history for centuries, and the cultures have left traces across continents, affecting many facets of an average urban Indian&rsquos lifestyle. Parallel to the chaotic episodes of upheavals and revolutions, during the British Raj, there also ran beautiful stories of friendship, love, admiration and practice. Many genres like language, faith, education and family, had an influence on both Indian and British lifestyles. Food was one of the areas where the influences can be seen the most. 

Throughout the colonial period, many new hybrid dishes came into existence, with the efforts and innovations of the Indian khansamas&nbspand cooks who combined spices and other ingredients to otherwise bland Western dishes. They toned down the spices and pungency of typical Indian dishes to suit the delicate palates of the foreigners. Thus, a new cuisine took shape. After Independence, some of the Europeans, French and Portuguese population who stayed back in India  tied a nuptial knot with Indian ancestries. This union resulted in a greater cultural exchange later on. The dishes prepared at these households were subtle and distinctive in nature and became a direct reflection of the multicultural and hybrid heritage of the new colonial population, and was named aptly after the unique community formed as&nbspthe Anglo Indians.

&ldquoAnglo-Indian cuisine has such a rich and vibrant history," said Shiladitya and Debaditya Chaudhury, co-founders of Chapter 2. "The Anglo-Indian food festival at Chapter 2 showcases colonial influences and features some authentic Anglo-Indian dishes which is now only prepared in Anglo Indian households. Interestingly, our chef Sushanta&rsquos grandfather, the late Bijoy Haldar, had worked as a chef at the legendary Skyroom, once a gastronome&rsquos paradise and known for its Continental fare. Sushanta is now paying the ultimate tribute to Kolkata&rsquos culinary history by continuing his grandfather&rsquos succession."

Chapter 2 represents something very different from the serene and quiet locality it is located in. The two brothers Shiladitya and Debadityaa are also behind the popular chains Oudh 1590 and Chowman, and started Chapter 2 as a throwback to the glamorous days of Park Street of the 1960s and 70s. The decor and ambience pay tribute to the famed Anglo Indian food once served at iconic Park Street eateries like Skyroom and Blue Fox.

The Information

Cost The dishes are priced between Rs 250 to Rs 550. A meal for two would cost around&nbspRs 1,000&nbspplus taxes (without alcohol).

Where&nbspChapter 2,&nbspP-377, Hemanta Mukhopadhyay Sarani, Southern Avenue, Kolkata - 700029

Time&nbsp12 noon to 11pm