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Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Evening fire at Park St cafe sparks panic
1 2 3 4 Kolkata: Eight persons, three of them customers, had a lucky escape after a fire broke out in the kitchen of coffee chain Barista on Park Street on Friday evening. Panic spread among those at the cafe. As the fire spread, other eateries in the area were also shut. However, there was no report of casualty. The cause of the fire is not known as yet. The presence of a fuel station near the affected kitchen was a source of worry among establishments in the neighbourhood, as well as residents of Karnani Mansion next door. Firemen used the fuel station to tackle the blaze at the rear section of Barista where its kitchen is located. "We are trying to keep the area cool, and keep it isolated from the fuel station," said a fireman. Six fire tenders were in operation when reports last came in. Fire officials said the situation had been brought under control within an hour. Two lanes on Park Street in the flank opposite Flurys was cordoned off to allow fire tenders to operate. Sources said the firemen arrived promptly from the fire services headquarters on nearby Free School Street. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sore Knees? These Foods Could Be Your Natural Solution Undo You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata According to diners who had converged at Park Street on Friday, smoke was first spotted at the cafe near the Park Street-Free School Street intersection around 9 pm. The cafe was evacuated as soon as the fire started to spin out of control. Gradually, ducting and other material caught fire, generating thick, black smoke. As the smoke spread, other restaurants, including Wow! China, Wow! Momo, Flavours of China and Bar B Q, were also forced to suspend operations. A Vodafone outlet and other shops had to be shut down too. "The smoke was so intense and acrid that we could not continue operations," said a restaurateur. "There was panic on Park Street. I came out of my restaurant and saw the smoke. Wow! Momo and Wow! China were shut down immediately," said Siddhartha Kothari of Mocambo, Peter Cat and Peter Hu? There was widespread relief the fire had been contained in time and there had been no loss of life. Many of those present in the area recounted another fire that hit the very building 18 years ago. In Aug 2007, a blast at a McDonald's a few shops away claimed the life of a local resident who was passing by. That blast had been caused by an LPG explosion. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
NDTV
27-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Where To Find The Best Chelo Kebab In Kolkata? 3 Restaurants That Top Every List
Picture this: tender charcoal-grilled kebabs, resting on a cloud of saffron-tinted basmati, topped with a sunny-side-up egg and a dollop of butter. You surely have guessed the dish by now. It is the delicious chelo kebab platter. And Kolkata's love affair with this Iranian delicacy is no secret. What began as a novelty from Iran in the mid-1970s has today become as integral to the city's soul as a steaming plate of macher jhol and bhaat. It is nostalgia on a plate, a weekend ritual and the perfect go-to for first dates and celebrations. Ready to rediscover how the chelo kebab platter captured Kolkata's heart? Let's trace its journey and spot the best places in town to enjoy the delicacy in its unadulterated glory. How It All Began In Kolkata: In 1975, Nitin Kothari of Park Street's Peter Cat dined in Tehran and tasted Iran's popular dish. The South Kolkata entrepreneur was struck by the balance of juicy lamb seekh and chicken jujeh kebabs plated atop saffron rice, crowned with a poached egg. He got it back home and replaced the saffron rice with fragrant basmati and a generous dollop of butter. That one adaptation turned into a phenomenon. Food experts say that within a year, Peter Cat was dishing out over 35,000 chelo kebabs every month, and queues wound around the block from noon onwards. Kolkata's Love For Global Fare: Long before chelo kebab's arrival, Kolkata had already developed a taste for global cuisine. During World War II, Allied soldiers stationed in the city introduced the locals to boneless roast, canned soups and tea-room sandwiches. European cafes like Flurys brought in puff pastries and Continental breakfasts. This cosmopolitan backdrop primed the people in Kolkata (then Calcutta) to embrace new flavours without hesitation. When chelo kebab landed on Park Street plates, it felt like the natural next step. It was a dish that combined Persian flavour with Kolkata's rice-loving tradition. Here Are Kolkata's Top 3 Restaurants That Serve The Most Authentic Chelo Kebabs: 1. Peter Cat, Park Street: Chelo kebab's journey in Kolkata began at this place and it still sets the benchmark. Under vintage red lampshades, you will find tender lamb seekh and juicy chicken jujeh that melt at the fork, buttery basmati and a perfectly runny egg. Must-try add-ons: Mixed-grill sizzler House-made cocktails 2. Marco Polo, Sarat Bose Road: This South Kolkata gem blends old-world European elegance with Kolkata warmth. The kebabs arrive sizzling and the buttered rice gleam beneath a sunny-side-up egg. And the best part is, you can get this delicacy delivered to your doorstep. Just order via your favourite food app and enjoy a gourmet stay-home date. Must-try add-ons: Lebanese lamb chops Creme caramel Also Read: 5 Iconic Restaurants In Park Street, Kolkata You Must Visit For A Gastronomic Exploration 3. Trincas, Park Street: A heritage cafe since the 1920s, Trincas offers live music, vintage lamps and chelo kebabs that carry a gentle smoky note, steeped in nostalgia. Must-try add-ons: Chicken Ala Kiev Devilled crab In Kolkata's ever-evolving food scene, chelo kebab remains a comforting constant. It is the perfect instance of the fact that some flavours are worth following, either with fork in hand or with a few taps on your screen. Bon Appetit!
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Summer 2025 footfall at Kol restos and bars beats pre-pandemic high
1 2 Kolkata: Footfall across Kolkata restaurants is the highest this summer since the pandemic, with most eateries across south and central Kolkata seeing a full house during lunch and dinner. Online orders saw a major spike over the last fortnight. The rise in footfall was around 20% compared to last summer, according to Hotel and Restaurants' Association of Eastern India (HRAEI) president Sudesh Poddar. While the summer vacation is on, the weather, though warm, was better than last summer when the city was gripped by a heatwave. These factors may have contributed to a footfall spurt, felt Poddar. "While footfall rise every summer, this year it was around 20% more compared to last May-June. Unlike 2024, it rained more often this time, making it a comfortable to dine out. It also helped that the IPL playoffs were played till this week. It always attracts the young who love to couple cricket with eating out," said Poddar. Oudh 1590 and Chapter 2 have seen steady growth in footfall since the beginning of May. "It has been rising steadily, and it helped that we had our biryani festival on throughout last month. Summers are usually good for sales, but this year it was even better, possibly due to the improved weather. Despite the occasional scorching period, people have been gorging on biryani and other north Indian fare. At Chapter 2, sales have been moderately higher than last summer's as well," said Shiladitya Chaudhury, co-founder and owner of Oudh and Chapter 2. Park Street has seen a larger crowd during both lunch and dining hours since mid-May, said restaurateurs. Peter Hu has seen a waiting crowd every evening over the last month. "This has been the best summer since the pandemic, and the footfall was 15% higher. We've had people waiting to get in even on weekdays. One reason could be the weather, which has been more bearable than the last two summers. Secondly, along with the younger generation, the elders, too, are now more into eating out. Online orders, too, have increased," said Siddharth Kothari of Peter Hu. At Mocambo and Peter Cat, waiting crowds have gotten progressively bigger over the last fortnight. "We had full attendance throughout the day since the beginning of May. It has really been a good summer so far, easily the most crowded since the pandemic across all our outlets, including Peter Cat," said Mocambo and Peter Cat owner Nitin Kothari. "We had a near-full attendance even during weekdays since last Sunday. Food sales have jumped appreciably. Liquor sales have dipped since we have more families coming in now. But that has been more than made up by the higher footfall and larger food orders," said Pratap Daryanani, owner of Oasis on Park Street. Footfall has been driven by a bigger family crowd, said Poddar, who owns Songhai, MS Bar & Lounge, and Manthan.
