As the final hours of 2023 tick away, restaurants and bars across Kolkata are pulling out all the stops to ensure a memorable celebration for their patrons. Despite the anticipated challenges of heavy traffic, large crowds, and extended waiting times, establishments are rolling out special dishes, food festivals, and attractive beverage offers to entice visitors on New Year's Eve.
Anticipating a Surge in Celebratory Crowds
Based on the notable surge in customer numbers since Christmas, restaurant owners in the city predict that footfalls on December 31 could be 15% to 20% higher compared to last New Year's Eve. This expected influx is driving venues to enhance their offerings and manage capacity creatively.
From upscale mall outlets to iconic street-side eateries, the preparations are in full swing. Siciliana at Forum Mall and Café Mezzuna at South City have crafted new menus featuring items like roast turkey and pot roast chicken for the occasion, complemented by special offers on drinks. Meanwhile, Hoppipola at Acropolis Mall is promising an evening of DJ music paired with what they term 'electrifying cocktails and lip-smacking food'.
Special Menus and Festive Ambiance
Leading restaurant chains are ensuring the celebrations feel exclusive. Anjan Chatterjee, founder and chairman of Specialty Restaurants, shared their festive strategy. "During the festive season, all our restaurants are introducing an all-new menu with an exciting buffet spread and a wide variety of delicious dishes," he said. To amplify the celebratory mood, every table will be adorned with whistles, caps, and festive props, allowing guests to welcome 2024 in high spirits.
The demand is particularly palpable on the iconic Park Street. At several restaurants there, waiting times have already stretched to an hour or more in the lead-up to New Year's Eve. Nitin Kothari, owner of legendary establishments Mocambo and Peter Cat, noted that while waiting times of 30 minutes to an hour persist, they haven't dampened enthusiasm. "Since we have additional capacity of 150 seats at Peter Cat, waiting time has come down. In fact, people are spending more time at the table and splurging more on food," Kothari explained.
Live Music, Offers, and Managing the Rush
Other popular venues are adopting varied approaches to manage bookings and enhance the experience. MS Bar & Lounge on Waterloo Street is hosting a series of live music sessions leading up to the big night. For New Year's Eve itself, they are selling 'couple tickets' for table bookings via a food delivery app. Sudesh Poddar, owner of Songhai, MS Bar, and Manthan, stated, "Most of our tables are booked for Dec 31 evening, and we will have a DJ until 1 am. We have a 2:1 offer on two premium liquor brands and a specially curated New Year menu."
Similarly, Chapter 2 and outlets of Oudh 1590 have witnessed waiting times of 45 minutes to an hour since December 24. Shiladitya Chaudhury, owner and co-founder, highlighted their special festive menu and the added attraction of live music every evening, including on New Year's Eve.
A significant relief for both restaurateurs and revellers is the civic decision to allow traffic on Park Street on December 31. Siddharth Kothari of Peter Hu believes this will make restaurants more accessible. "Footfalls have been very high, so this should help," he remarked, acknowledging the logistical challenges of the night.
As Kolkata prepares to ring in the New Year, its vibrant culinary scene stands ready, offering a blend of gourmet experiences, lively entertainment, and festive cheer, all set against the backdrop of the city's infectious celebratory energy.
