Youngsters of Sector I who had a hard time remembering the Postal Index Number of their addresses have found a memory aid over the past 10 months in what is fast emerging as the one of the most popular cafes of this part of the city — Calcutta 64.
The biggest reason for the popularity of the BC Block address is the delicious food and the wide variety of choices. But what often receives a thumbs down is the long wait for a table. At present, they are a 14-seater. But expansion is on the cards, the owners promise.
“The entire ground floor of the house is occupied by a salon. We operate from the the refurbished covered porch in front. But the tenants have promised to move by the year-end,” says Debojit Paul, who runs the cafe with elder brother Birojit. “I do feel bad when uncles of the neighbourhood who have seen me grow up complain of having to wait. I hope once we expand that problem can be sorted out.”
The eatery is a family-run affair, so when the expansion happens, his sister-in-law Soumini should have her hands full. “She does our decor.”
For now, the cafe is drawing up a new menu. Paul’s wife Sneha, who has worked in the hospitality industry, is in charge of this. “We had thought of making it a tea room. She insisted that we have a proper menu with a lot of options,” says Debojit. “Unless we do, we will not get repeat customers,” Sneha reasons.
So other than nine types of coffee, six types of cold coffee and four types of ice tea, the current menu has mocktails, smoothies, salads, sandwiches, momos, pastas, pizzas, wraps as well as breakfast and main course options. “All our main courses have a side of fried or steamed rice and boiled vegetables,” says Sneha.
With several institutes and offices in the vicinity, the newly-married couple have cash-strapped students and office-goers in mind. “We offer snacks like fish and chips which at Rs 201 is very pocket-friendly when shared by two. Again, one who has missed breakfast at home can grab a wrap on the way to office. Jalepino balls can be a quick bite over meetings,” Sneha suggests.
The cafe is looking to bolster its pizza section. “We offer only thin-crust pizza. When we started out, it was so new that many asked for the thick-crust ones instead,” laughs Debojit. The Baked Tandoor Pizza, at Rs 283, will be one of the new offerings and tastes yummy.
“All-day cafes are the rage among the new generation. It offers an informal atmosphere where they can chat long hours and eat,” says Debojit.
