Kalimpong: Streets and foods

Walking, loitering in Kalimpong

Cheese

Larks - an unassuming shop in the market area - is where we got cheese, locally made as also that from Nepal, both are delicious

If you see fungus, after some days, just dip your knife in hot water and salt and scrape the fungus with it - we heard some other customers being told 

Cheese is associated with Kalimpong since years like is the lollipop 

Street food festival 

Multiple evenings,  in the main market area, on the streets, publicity appeared to be word of mouth, lip smacking food and fun in the air  

The fervour reminded me of the Dushera Mela at Kullu - of the people, by the people, for the people (people here stands for locals ~)

People jostled for space but (for outsiders!) shouting and pushing were conspicuous  by their absence  

The event was a meat-eater's delight, the lone jalebi maker did not appear to have too many customers

There were some yummy bakery products of course and we were glad we began with an out of the world chocolate cheese brownie 

Jhol momos were high on the popularity charts

I wondered whether momos, like jalebis, have been adapted in different forms in different regions 

Kalimpong has delicious momos for sure - at Dharamkot too during a recent trip I was told that the best place for momos is the Kalimpong Restuarant 

Haat 

Held twice in a week  the market was a pleasant experience - fruits, clothes, foot-wear and a lot else including of course a momo (vegetarian, fresh, homely) stall in the centre

When we asked for directions at our stay place were were told - just go to the market area and ask anyone where the haat is (reminded me that many aspects of  our lives are simple and questions redundant!)

The spices and grains looked far more lively at the market than they do in these images while the pahari aloos were a delight to spot

Other foods 

We came across this Tagore quote at a restaurant, Cloud 9, which offers sumptuous Nepali thalis and a wonderful ambience - both would want you to visit again for

At Cafe Kalimpong, its sister restaurant, too we enjoyed the ambience and thukpa

 And, of course, Shepherd's Stall near the Mac Farlen Church took the cake, literally and more 

Their Lamington cake had us return the next day