banalata restaurant - Bānkura

Very costly and most bogus hotel for launch. We have taken 5 veg thali and there is not a single vegetable there, only potato. But price is rs -100 per plate. Neither quality nor quantity is good. Even they charged extra money for extra rice which should not be the case, as it was thali system. So, never and ever go to this restaurant, they are doing robbery in the name of hotel business. Most faltu hotel , ever seen in my life..

Sometimes the best position to be in is being suspended from a swing two and a half feet above ground after a hearty meal inside taking in the weather. In these pandemic induced circumstances reassurances are vital. The mind yearns for some rest and relaxation after being cooped up for long. With a new set of wheels, the desire to set off somewhere to give the baby a taste of the tarmac was stoked. Needed a safe place with facilities that did not require us to move around much but still had ample space to let us stretch our legs joints rusting for months. The drive from Kolkata took little over 3 hours on an untolled road, the shortest route as per Google with little traffic owing to an early morning start. It is a fair ride by Indian Standards, except for some patches around Arambag. The location is on the highway a landmark in itself. The best part was the feel of staying in a rural cooperative instead of a commercial establishment. Our urban mind finds it difficult to give away creature comforts, which were all well laid out, as the photographs bear testimony. What made the experience special was the warmth we received instead of some of the difficult reviews posted at the site. A major cause of dissonance was perhaps the typical Bengali ambience of the place complete with posto bora(poppyseed chops) and fresh garden greens. They have a turkey, emu,fowl karaknath chicken farm onsite, giving you access to farm fresh produce that really shortens the idea of farm to fork/finger in our case. We decided to stay at the cottage over the rooms to pamper our fancy of luxurious space, spreading over a private patio overlooking a patch of green with the hammock, that was really difficult to get off. It had 2 dining area one alfresco the other inside should the weather become more forbidding. The cottages came with their own butler, local village women employed, whose warmth and affection made our stay memorable, special enjoyable. The food is good if you stick to the Bengali cuisine, the Chinese section went a little overboard on the cornflour that hogged the limelight with chicken playing the role of sidekick. Quantity is substantial you can easily be smart to take a meal with some main course to be shared. One special note is for the milk, if you like it fresh unadulterated. The egg parotha’s make a hearty breakfast but the veg ones seem like the vegetable being recycled from earlier avatars as stuffing. Moving on to things to do the farm itself takes half a day to explore well. They have cows, horses in addition to a number of faitful mongrels to keep you entertained. The gardens are lovely if angling is of your interest check out the pond at the back. Joypur forest is next door, but do take a local along to help you with the directions, as Google loses it’s way quite easily, sending you askew. There is a British airstrip of WW2 vintage leading to a watch tower nearby. For a Indiana Jones/Lara Croft moment visit the rajidara (Royal well) a short walk from the watch tower. This can be a good picnic area, should you have the right company. With time on your hands a trip to Bishnupur or Mukutmonipur is also possible. The drive is excellent. Since we were around the right time of the year our trip was rewarded with fresh juice from the palm undergoing its transformation into heavenly favourful gur(jaggery) both in nolen(liquid) patali cakes being made on the roadside. Being nice to the makers helps you get a very good deal. Carry your own container to be environmentally friendly to avoid the plastic containers they offer. The shop onsite is complete with all knickknacks from sarees, to silk material for dresses. The local produce centre is well stocked though prices are steep. Only thing to be wary of is the behavior loudness of the staff at the reception, who can do well with some training on customer service. If you are self sufficient, ideal for 2-3 days to recharge your batteries give your eyes, lungs a new lease of life. A definite visit.

Highly overpriced! Need to negotiate to get good bargain! Staffs are not very well trained as such service quality is bit poor. A good getway for weekends.

Banalata resort is an excellent place to stay. The rooms are well appointed and clean. Toilets are very clean. Food is well packed. Beautiful and lighted surrondings. Fresh vegetables are available.

There are lots of variety dishes available for breakfast, lunch, evening snacks and dinner. You can have some refreshment here between your journey. There are rooms also for night stay.