Pinkk Sugars, tucked away in Kolkata’s Salt Lake, will make you want to celebrate Valentine’s Day any time of the year.
TL Tastings
A Review of Pinkk Sugars
Cuisine
The menu at Pinkk Sugars focuses on Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Expect to find authentic ingredients and taste because owner Aayushi Bajaj, who graduated from Le Cordon Bleu London, refuses to cut corners or adjust to suit local palates. The dishes are essentially vegetarian with some concession to eggs. They also have vegan and gluten-free options.
We Recommend
Appetiser
As the creamy cheese oozes out of the burrata, it warms the cockles of my heart. A veritable cheese lover, I decide to start with a Caprese Salad while I scan Pinkk Sugars’ fairly long menu. The Burrata Caprese (INR 550 ++) – a classic dish with the burrata nestling in a ring of heirloom tomatoes and basil, and finished with a drizzle of house signature Genovese Pesto and balsamic glaze – harks back to the colours of the Italian flag.
I follow this up with a soup that promises a journey to the world of truffles. The Cappuccino Di Tartufo Nero (INR 325++) at Pinkk Sugars is more on the lines of a mushroom chai, I am told. The broth (served in a teapot) is poured over truffle foam, powder dust, and dried Shimeji mushrooms; and served with parmesan churros. The soup definitely has a savoury feel to it.
Main Course
Here, I opt for a Charcoal Cappelletti Al Tartufo Nero (INR 695++) where the wee hat-shaped parcels (charcoal cappelletti), stuffed with ricotta cheese and edible mushrooms, are served on a bed of creamy truffle sauce. It is a pleasing contrast, both visually and in taste. The dish is finished with a generous garnish of aged parmesan cheese and a drizzle of truffle oil.
Pinkk Sugars definitely has me spoiled with their cheese spread! I cannot help but order the Genovese Basil Pesto and Mozzarella Arancini (INR 295++) where the mildly spicy fried gluten free Arborio rice balls are wrapped in Genovese pesto and served on a bed of marinara sauce.
Dessert
This is one section where you will definitely want to keep your camera ready! Choosing a dessert becomes a difficult task as I scan the list of names which promise a burst of colours, such as The Pinkk Sundae Gelato Paradise (INR 325++) or the Rose Pistachio Tres Leches (INR 425++). Helplessly, I turn to Bajaj who suggests a Peppermint Dark Hot Chocolate (INR 375++) as an ode to the almost disappearing winter. The marshmallows and the candy stick transport me to childhood memories.
Our Takeaway
A smell of fresh bakes and an explosion of pink (without being an in-your-face colour scheme) enamour me to the café. Pink is Bajaj’s favourite colour, and baking is her passion. Sunlight pouring in through the glass windows add a sparkle to the pink and cream floor and pink walls. Murals and a red telephone exude a European vibe. The seating area is divided into several sections, while the counter at the far end displays the fresh bakes of the day. The pink candy wall seems to be the most popular corner of this otherwise highly ‘grammable café.
Quick Notes
Price for two: Upwards of INR 1,200
Address: AD-37, AD Block, Sector 1, Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700064
Timings: Monday to Sunday, 11:00 am to 10:30 pm
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