𝑷𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒔
When the British wanted to expand the trade of Burma Teak, they met some 𝘔𝘰𝘨 𝘒𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘴. Mog Khansamas are basically ace cooks from Burma, mostly Buddhists who had the capability to taste a dish and recreate it in their own way as per the demand. These 𝘔𝘰𝘨 𝘒𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘴 were appointed as cooks by British.
On the other hand, the Zamindar of Shobhabazar Rajbari were close to the British rulers. He would often call the British rulers to his Rajbari and host a gala party. The Mog cooks were called in to cook various European delicacies for the Brits. Among the cooks, were the "Baruas" whose ancestors represented the Mog cooks. Thus came delicacies like Pantheras, Egg Devil, Fowl Cutlet and all, which were served with evening tea/hi-tea.
Post Independence, the Barua family started their own business. Barua and Dey Fast Food Centre opened at Shyam Bazaar and Pantheras came out of Zamindar's Kitchen and became available for everyone. Barua and Dey Fast Food Centre still exists.
However, Barua and Dey Fast Food Centre is not the only place in Kolkata which serves Pantheras. There is Ringmo Restaurant at Sobha Bazaar. Though, Pantheras is dying because of it's less demand, however this one is basically a warm change of taste after too much of the usual Fish Fries or Cutlets.
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝑷𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒔?
To say in simple words, Pantheras is prepared with minced mutton (keema), mixed with Indian spices and coated with breadcrumbs before being deep-fried. The look is similar to that of a fry or a cutlet, but the taste is different. You will find this a bit spicier than that of a regular fry along with a fine balance of sweetness which comes from the onions used while making the crepe. This is an amalgamation of Indian and European taste.
Both at 𝑩𝒂𝒓𝒖𝒂 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑫𝒆𝒚 𝑭𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝑭𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝑪𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒆 and at 𝑹𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒎𝒐 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒕, a Mutton Pantheras comes at 40/- INR, served with Kasundi (Mustard Sauce) and Salad. Taste-wise, I find Ringmo to make this better since this place is not over-hyped. Most of the people of Kolkata thinks that Barua and Dey is the only place to get Pantheras and hence, there is a hype created. Due to this, you need to visit a bit early to taste Pantheras from Barua and Dey, however Ringmo's Pantheras is available till 8.30/9 PM.
Pantheras is almost fading out. People of the younger generation hardly knows about the existence of Pantheras but I know few old people who would prefer a Pantheras over anything else with their evening tea.
