Eating out has always been a passion with most of us. But in recent years, it has turned into a revolution - an overpowering collective passion. The urban Indian is eating out more than ever before. After all, isn't variety the spice of life? The emergence of a new class of willing-to-experiment food lovers is now official.

A countrywide food survey conducted by McCann Erickson in 2000-2001 as also the more recent Outlook survey reveals that the cosmopolitan Indian is now eager to explore new tastes and absorb global trends and is no longer limited by geographical or cultural boundaries in his gastronomical search for excellence. India can boast of several thousand multi-cuisine eateries that dot our cities. You can have Italian, Thai, Chinese, Arabian, Mexican, Cajun and French food for the asking, to name just a few, apart from the regular North Indian, South Indian and other regional cuisines. Statistics show thatover 80,000 pizzas are consumed every weekend in the major metros. There are more than 22,000 registered restaurants in India today worth a whopping Rs30,000 crore! And dozens more are launched everyday. But this is not all - there are, in addition, the odd roadside dhaba, the tiffin room next door, the innumerable fast-food 'joints', the local tea 'n snack bars, etc. etc. In fact, you could confidently say, India is the epicurean's delight.

This urban melting pot that India has turned into has given rise to fusion foods. The traditional south Indian idli has incorporated paneer and been rechristened paneer idli, not to mentionthe paneer dosas. Pizza paranthas is another example of fusion food. Vada pav is now served with coleslaw at McDonald's outlets in Mumbai and Chinese bhel - the evergreen snack present on all metro sidewalks.

To celebrate this great Indian 'eating-out' revolution, here are Kolkata's Top 4 Restaurants. They have been handpicked for their food, decor and service by a cross section of our top Indian celebrities. They appear in no particular ranking order, but have been shortlisted from a list of 100 eating places.

Amber

Life in Kolkata is certainly worth living, given the fact that there are places like Amber to go to. For sheer quality, price and an ambience to match, Amber comfortably gives any restaurant in the country a run for its money.

Serving up gastronomic delights in both veg and non-veg, is Chef Anmol Bhattacharya. Starting with a jeera paani and prawn cocktail, you could go on to the mutton burra kabas that have been marinated with dahi-red chili-lasun-garam masala. The fish malai tandoori, delicately marinated with cream, a generous dose of cheese, kaaju paste with white pepper and ginger makes the bekti melt in your mouth. Then there's the gravied fare of chicken reshmi, paneer butter masala, brain curry, daal makhani or chana masala that go well with kabuli naan. And finally, there is Moti biryani with little kheema koftas. The meal is incomplete without a kulfi, after which you can simply have no more.

Meal for two: Rs 600/-

Sher-e-Punjab

There is nothing gracious about this popular dhaba, but if you're looking for some countryside ambience, fresh air and succulent meats, just drive down to Jessore Road, beyond the Kolkata airport. Modelled on the Thai eateries, with an asbestos roof and plenty of open space, Sher-e-Punjab plays host to a curious mix of truckers and well-heeled women.

With a choice of Chinese, Thai and Indian fare, the connoisseur would go for chicken reshmi kabab and a lass for starters, and follow it up with some tarka dal, butter chicken and karahi mutton. The all time favourite, however, is tandoori chicken. The food is ample and you certainly will not have room for dessert.

Meal for two: Rs 300/-

Mainland China

Ushering in five-star restauranting to the city, is Mainland China, with its gold ceilings and mouthwatering Szechwan, Hunan and Cantonese fare.

A great choice for starters is the chilli-flaked Hunan prawn and crackling spinach. Follow this up with Szechwan chilli crab and chicken chilli oyster along with some steamed bekti with a choice of sauces. Pan-fried Singapore rice noodles goes well with the main course. For a special experience though, ask for a Peking Duck Meal: the skin of the roasted duck, garnished with finely chopped celery, carrots and cucumber, and rolled into a pancake, is the first on the list. This is accompanied by a thick or clear duck soup. Then comes the duck meat served with a choice of sauces - hoysin, chilli bean or chilli plum.

Monday to Friday buffet per head: Rs 250/-

Weekend fare includes a prawn dish for Rs 50/- extra.

Red Hot Chilli Pepper

Wth Red Hot Chilli Pepper right here, dishing out gastronomic delights, a trip across the Great Wall of China is no more necessary. Although partial to the Szechwan school, the trio Asim, Bharat and Manas, do justice to Canontese and Hunan fare as well.

Some good palate tickling starters are latmai kai - rice wine flavoured crispy chicken with spring onions, pan-fried chilli fish, prawn pepper salt and sui mai - open steamed wafer thin dumplings, eaten with a thick lung fung soup with its prawn-ginger flavour. Over to the main course - Cantonese lobster in butter-garlic sauce or braised pomfret along with some pan-fried noodles or a ginger-capsicum fried rice. There is also Hupak chicken with pickled onions and black beans along with a Hunan-style exotic vegetables with a touch of sesame, sliced lamb in green chilli sauce and jumbo prawns. And for those with a sweet tooth, there is nothing like Darsaan.

Meal per head: Rs 250/-