Pabrai’s Fresh and Naturelle Ice Cream, Paddapukur, Kolkata

Restaurant Name: Pabrai’s Fresh and Naturelle Ice Cream, Paddapukur, Kolkata
Phone:+919007082727, +913340732695, +919830043772
Address: 28, Sarat Bose Road, Chakraberia, Ballygunge, Kolkata, West Bengal 700029 India
Time: 12:00 Noon – 11:30 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 200
Cuisines: Ice Cream, Desserts
Facilities: Home Delivery, Vegetarian Only, Sugar Free Options, Indoor Seating, Desserts and Bakes

Pabrai’s Fresh and Naturelle Ice Cream, Paddapukur, Kolkata: Decor

The pandemic induced locked-down summer of 2020 has actually pushed buttons of ice cream cravings for this season. And an early advent of the severe summer of ’21 has actually raised hopes of making the best of it. What could be the biggest want than fresh flashy flavors for a desperate year! Even with non-dairy alternatives, healthier options seem to take a backseat with the palate rolling the consumers’ choices…yes, indulgence of flavors is the highest trending demand.

We’re lucky to have our very own homegrown father-son duo brand Pabrai’s churning out seasonal winners every single time. With an expected slow but steady revival of out-of-home consumption, along with acceptance of digital platforms on eCommerce there’s much to look forward to.

Pabrai’s Fresh and Naturelle Ice Cream, Paddapukur, Kolkata: Food

The counter space on Paddapukur, Sarat Bose Road, has doubled its tiny space over its years of existence, though it is obvious they believe in practical tasting experiences rather than investing in decor. A functional setup, wall-mounted menu strips and white fluorescent lighting. The highlight of course, is the silky, smooth, rich, whipped and fresh creations in refrigerated display counters with tubs of the house collection. Though we’re the only customers, our best option is takeaway.

The service staff is helpful and helps us navigate through the flavorful journey of myriad colors, name tags and prices. Summer means a rush of fresh fruity flavors; we choose the thematic coolest ones: Alphonso mango (₹ 79), watermelon (₹ 59), sitaphal or custard apple (₹ 65), the house special tender coconut (₹ 62) and zesty pink guava (₹ 65). And from their eclectic Indian flavors, gandharaj lemon (₹ 79) and iconic Pabrai’s nolen gur (₹ 84). And just as an afterthought added the rose sugar-free (₹ 79). All the prices listed are for single scoop, but are available in family tubs within a price range of ₹ 250 – 400 for 500ml. And their list continues with childish fetish for fun flavors, spice infusions, exotic experiential ingredients, adventurous signature flavors with a difference, sundaes and options of waffle cones. My only regret, I’ve never lucked out on trying their mind and mouth tingling listed sorbets like the falsa sorbet et al, being out of stock always. Oh, and not to forget their range of milkshakes, we keep it modish with a caramel thick shake (₹ 199).

Plus & Minus:

There is no out of the box packaging, the disposable plastic-lid cups lack empathy and age-old wooden spoons give a kick to the basic indulgence. It is the creamy awesomeness of milky ice creams that bring out the part of the childhood chirpiness in us and the other half of gourmet sophistication in classifying the naturalness of the flavors. We lick-start with the textured smoothness of tender coconut bits drifting us to the calm of faraway coastal sea breeze; follow it up with the generous splurge of “100% natural fresh fruits” only in season: be it Alphonso mango, sitaphal or a bit jesty watermelon. But the real princess of the parade is the oomphish pink guava perked up with robust red chilli sprinkles – a curated experience of inspired living in quarantine times! And while the gandharaj lemon scoop came across as wee lurid, the classic nolen gur, served with a swirl of the real golden syrupy jaggery is as fragrant and as nostalgic as ever. The sugar-free rose brings in a murmur of crushed rose petals in disguise of plant extracted natural probiotic healthy option. Yet the slurpy thickness of the full fat Amul Gold milk blended caramel milkshake, glass bottled with paper straw, is a perfect answer to chic, fashionable satiation.