Beating the Dinner Rush at Peter Cat, Park Street

A Sunday evening dinner on Park Street is always a bit of a gamble. If you're planning to dine at one of the iconic restaurants that have made this street famous, you should be prepared for at least an hour's wait. Long queues, bustling crowds and packed dining rooms are all part of the experience.

But this Sunday, we decided to take on the odds and headed straight to Park Street, setting our sights on one of Kolkata's most legendary eateries—Peter Cat.

Fortunately, luck was on our side. We arrived early enough to beat the dinner rush and were shown to our table almost immediately. It had been quite some time since our last visit, and walking into the warm, familiar interiors instantly brought back memories of countless memorable meals.

Before getting down to the serious business of dinner, we started the evening with a couple of chilled beers. It was the perfect way to unwind and set the mood for what we already knew was going to be a satisfying meal.

There was never really any debate about what to order. When you're at Peter Cat, the Signature Chelo Kebab is almost a rite of passage. Perfectly grilled kebabs served with fragrant buttered rice, a fried egg, grilled tomato, and that unmistakable knob of butter melting over the rice—it's a dish that has earned its legendary status for good reason. Even after all these years, it continues to deliver the same comforting flavours and impeccable quality that have made it one of Kolkata's most celebrated meals.

As we finished our dinner, we noticed the familiar Sunday evening scene unfolding outside. Guests were steadily streaming in, the waiting area was filling up, and those inevitable queues had begun to form. We couldn't help but smile, knowing we had timed our visit just right.

Some restaurants come and go, while others become institutions. Peter Cat firmly belongs to the latter. Whether you're introducing someone to Kolkata's culinary heritage or simply revisiting an old favourite, it rarely disappoints.

If you're planning a night out on Park Street, arriving a little early can make all the difference. And when it comes to dependable food, timeless ambience, and a meal that never seems to go out of style, you simply can't go wrong with Peter Cat.

Drunken Monkey at Acropolis Mall

 

After an evening of "Malling", we grabbed a bite in the Food Court of Acropolis Mall. We tried some salad, wraps and potato wedges and a couple of Cold Coffees from Drunken Monkey.

A Late Evening Feast at Rang De Basanti Dhaba

 

Some dinner plans are made well in advance, while others happen on the spur of the moment. I had gone to pick up my wife from her office, and by the time we were heading back, it was already quite late. With neither of us in the mood to cook and both craving some hearty Indian food, there was only one obvious choice—Rang De Basanti Dhaba.

Over the years, this has become one of our favourite places whenever we're in that part of town. We kicked off the meal with their delicious Classic Tandoori Chicken, perfectly marinated and cooked to smoky perfection.

For the mains, we stuck to our tried-and-tested favourites—a basket of Garlic Naan and Butter Naan, their rich and creamy Dal Makhani, flavourful Kolkata Chicken Bharta with Egg, and a cooling Raita to complete the meal.

Sometimes, the best meals aren't about trying something new but revisiting old favourites that never disappoint. Rang De Basanti Dhaba once again served up a satisfying dinner that hit all the right notes and made the late evening outing well worth it.

Dinner at Tintin & The Brussels Club

 

An eatery named after one of my favourite childhood comic characters? We simply had to try it out. 

A Late-Night Steak Miracle at Hondo's

 

After the wonderful musical evening at The Tollygunge Club, we quickly realised that finding dinner at the club that late at night wasn't going to happen. So, with our stomachs rumbling, we headed to the nearest place we knew served some of the finest steaks in the city—Hondo's.

Getting a table there at that hour was nothing short of wishful thinking. Hondo's is a tiny hole-in-the-wall eatery with very limited seating, and simply turning up without a reservation is usually a recipe for disappointment. But sometimes luck smiles on you. Much to our surprise, a table opened up just as we arrived.

What followed was the perfect end to an already memorable evening. We each tucked into a beautifully cooked steak, packed with flavour and cooked just the way we liked it. Every bite reminded us why Hondo's has earned such a loyal following over the years.

For steak lovers, Hondo's remains one of the very few places in Kolkata where you can enjoy a genuine beef steak. Great food, a cosy atmosphere, and a little bit of late-night luck made for an unforgettable meal.

A Musical Evening to Remember with Dr. Sunil Paulraj's Toccata

 

When Dr. Sunil Paulraj's Toccata troupe announced their performance at The Tollygunge Club, it was an event we simply couldn't miss. This production was even more special, with the choir and musicians welcoming members from the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, and Ireland, along with a talented musical group from Nagaland, taking the total number of performers on stage to an incredible 85.

The concert was spread over Friday and Saturday evenings, and we attended the Saturday performance. Judging by the packed hall, it was clear that we weren't the only ones looking forward to an evening of great music. Every seat was occupied, and the anticipation in the room was palpable long before the first note was played.

From the moment the performance began, the audience was taken on a musical journey spanning genres and generations. For nearly two and a half hours, the troupe delivered one memorable performance after another, seamlessly moving from the soulful classics of Ray Charles to the timeless hits of Elvis Presley. They brought the warmth of Dolly Parton's country melodies and the electrifying anthems of Queen, ensuring there was something for everyone in the audience.

What made the evening particularly enjoyable was not just the quality of the music but the obvious passion and enthusiasm of every performer on stage. With eighty-five voices and musicians performing in harmony, the energy was infectious. The audience responded with enthusiastic applause, clapping along to familiar tunes and thoroughly enjoying every moment of the concert.

The grand finale was nothing short of spectacular. As the opening notes of "We Are The World" filled the hall, all the performers came together for a powerful and moving rendition of the iconic song. It was the perfect conclusion to an evening that celebrated music's unique ability to bring together people from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds in perfect harmony.

As we left The Tollygunge Club, the melodies were still echoing in our minds. It had been an unforgettable evening of outstanding musicianship, wonderful camaraderie, and timeless music—a reminder that live performances, especially ones delivered with such heart and passion, continue to create memories that linger long after the final applause.