Festive fervour: Restaurants witness Biryani lovers' queues

Kolkata: As the trend of eating Biryani with friends and family at restaurants during Durga Puja is catching up among the food-loving Bengalis, the restaurants are offering special varieties of the dish

While the older generation continues to prefer homemade food, the youngsters prefers to go out with friends and dine at restaurants.

"For the past 25 years, I have been celebrating Durga Puja by eating at restaurants with my friends and family. I just love eating Biryani and kebabs after pandal-hoping. These are like staple on our platter during Durga Puja days," said Rakesh Kumar Thar, an advocate and resident of Picnic Garden.

People queue at restaurants such as Arsalan, Zeeshan and others around Park Circus during Durga Puja.

"There is a huge demand of Biryani and Kebab during Durga Puja days. Scores of people form queues to eat at our restaurants. We have different sections. One section for family and the other section is for youths coming with friends," said Amanat Hussain of Zeeshan restaurant situated at Syed Amir Ali Avenue in Park Circus.

Number of people coming to restaurants such as Arsalan and Zeeshan during Durga Puja has gone up substantially, with the annual rise in number of diners on Durga Puja days going up at 30 per cent annually.

"Our restaurant is situated at Park Circus seven crossing. Not only Bengalis or Indians but foreigners also come here during Durga Puja. We close our restaurant at 5 am during Durga Puja days," said Muzammil Haque of Arsalan restaurant.

Mohammad Maksood Alam of Ashraf Biryani restaurant at Samsul Huda Road pointed out that he receives bulk order for Biryani a week before Durga Puja.

"For pre-booking order, we sell chicken Biryani at Rs 800 per kg," he said.