A glimpse of the Oh! Calcutta Private Dining. Pictures by Aranya Sen

Seven years ago when Anjan Chatterjee gave Calcutta its first Mainland China, the restaurateur called it his “litmus test” for the Calcutta palette that he describes as “sharp, passionate and fanatical”. We all know how that went. So it is no surprise that Chatterjee is out of experiment mode and is expanding aggressively, his latest offering being a new Oh! Calcutta, this time, with a “private dining” tagline, on the third floor of Silver Arcade.

Explains Chatterjee, chairman and managing director, Speciality Restaurants Pvt Ltd: “The need for private dining was felt with customers wanting privacy and exclusivity during a meal.” So the 5,000-sq-ft space has seating arrangements that ensure better elbow room. The 94-cover restaurant includes a 22-seater private-dining area.

The interior is truly Calcutta, or rather, old Calcutta. Wooden and carpeted flooring complement wooden furniture and the wooden ceiling panels. Chairs have fabric seats in soft pastel and floral prints. A frosted glass overlooking the entrance bears the image of the Calcutta skyline. And yes, there are “showcases” just like you would see in every true-blue Bengali’s drawing room, stashed with books by Sunil Gangopadhyay, Manik Bandopadhyay and H.G. Wells. A clever touch, particularly as they double as dividers. Moments from films and working stills have been captured in pictures that dot the walls, featuring Suchitra Sen, Uttam Kumar, Soumitra Chatterjee, Utpal Dutt, Satyajit Ray....

Apart from choosing from the fixed menu, customers can also have their meals tailor-made. “We give you the liberty to call up the chef, discuss your meal,” explains Chatterjee.

The menu is primarily Bengali and Continental. “The flavours are very clear,” says chef Joymalya Banerjee. Dig into Roasted Leek and Potato Soup with Herbed Prawns, Smoked Tomato and Celery Soup, Daab Aar Shaaker Tarkari, Aam Diye Bhindi and Smoked Cottage Cheese Steak in Honey Mustard Emulsion. Chef Joymalya recommends Dhakai Fish Tikka, Mataal Chingri, Bekti Pudding and Litchi Stuffed Chicken with Ginger and Fennel.

After an Oh! Calcutta outlet each in Delhi and Mumbai and two in Calcutta, the eatery that is a “celebration of Calcutta’s cuisine” is set to open in Bangalore.

Calcutta can also look forward to Machaan, which will serve mainly Indian food in a “forest-like ambience” at Mani Square and a Mainland China Private Dining at Silver Arcade, to be inaugurated soon.

Timings: Lunch: 12.30pm to 3pm; Dinner: 7pm to 11 pm.

Pocket pinch: Rs 500 plus taxes (approximately) for two (excluding liquor).