Kalimpong to Kolkata: Art Cafe is here!

Everyone who’s been to Kalimpong loves Art Cafe with its local bites, coffee and mountain views, and we are so excited that it’s here in Kolkata!

The cafe’s second serve, in Kolkata, has been opened by partners Suman Chen and Shaheera Bano, along with the original partners Pravesh Chhetri and Yachna Rizal. The cute 30-seater cafe, housed inside an 86-year-old Bengali bari, is located at 17C, Dr. Sarat Banerjee Road (near Lake Market). Spread across 1,000sq feet, Art Cafe aims to tap into the wealth of traditional and organic ingredients available in the Kalimpong district and bring them to a refined cafe palate.

My Kolkata brings you the first look.

An ode to homemade and organic produce

What sets Art Cafe apart is that everything is made from scratch. “From the dough for bread and pizzas to our cakes, nothing is store-bought. We abstain from using MSG and even our mayo is made entirely from scratch,” says Suman, one of the partners. The cafe is also attempting to revive traditional pulses, millets, grains and condiments without compromising on taste and aesthetics, all while sourcing organic produce from the Kalimpong region (Kalimpong Organic Haat). “Kalimpong is a small space but it has a lot to offer. We are trying to get local cheese, buckwheat and timur pepper, which is a variety of Sichuan pepper grown in Nepal,” she adds.

A rustic, simple and minimalistic setting

“We’re engaged in weaving the tales of the Kalimpong mountains into various aspects such as food, products, and textiles. Our collaboration extends to farmers and local artisans. Our mission is to shed light on neglected cuisines, underutilised grains, and the bygone textiles and art forms, with the ultimate goal of rekindling their presence,” says partner Yachna Rizal.

Earthy interiors: The walls are adorned in earthy shades of orange and grey, punctuated by modest wall hangings like frames and vinyl records. The floor continues the theme with the same orange tiles, and the furniture is made of wood, rope and wicker. While some tables are cosy two-seaters, you can always drop in for a plate of jhol momos with a group. The plants on either side of the cafe add a burst of colour.

Wicker plate ceiling: The orange bulbs hanging from the ceiling cast a warm glow in the evening, and during the day, the abundance of natural light is what sets the vibe here. Another element that will catch almost every eye are the wicker plates on the ceiling. The bulbs nestle between the wicker plates and make for an Instagram-worthy post. #NoFilter

Distressed closet: As you enter the cafe, on your left is a distressed red wardrobe decked up with plants and decor pieces that represent Kalimpong.

Pop picks from the menu

Fing Salad: Made with special produce from Kalimpong, this dish has mung bean glass noodles mixed with vegetables, peanuts and lime (add shrimp if you like). So simple, yet so good, the dish is full of crunch and has a tangy taste to it. The aftertaste will leave you wanting for more.

Jhol Momos: Momos, served in a spicy broth using Hog plum and timur pepper, which is a variety of Sichuan pepper grown in Nepal. Also try the fluffy, steamy Tingmo with Chicken Shapta!

Buckwheat crepes (Banana Nutella or Mushroom Cheese): These crepes made from buckwheat flour, sourced from Kalimpong, are thin, delicate and crispy, and offer a gluten-free option.

Spicy Chicken Open Sandwich: Made with in-house bread and topped with lettuce, tiny pieces of seaweed, chicken and sesame seeds, each bite delivers crunch and a spicy kick.

Veg Kothey: Crispy outside and soft inside, a plate of kothey transports you to Kalimpong. The best part? The broth that oozes out with the first hot bite and the zing of the in-house chilli oil!

Shrooms Pizza: This pizza is topped with mushrooms, olives, bell pepper and cheese. But what impressed us more was that the entire dish is made with their unique thin-crust dough recipe and served with their in-house marinara sauce. “During our tasting, the BBQ Chicken Pizza also earned praise from many,” said Suman.

Coffee: Wash down the dishes with a range of coffee, tea, coolers and shakes.

The tasters

Restaurateur Debaditya Chaudhury dropped in for the tasting. “Special mention to the momos, which were moist and juicy, and the pizza with its crispy fried onions on top. I got a very positive vibe as soon as I entered and the decor is subtle and classy,” he said.

Iftekhar Ahsan and Chris Chen of Calcutta Walks and Calcutta Bungalow, who are married to the cafe’s partners Shaheera and Suman respectively, were present. “The menu is a mix of hill and cafe cuisine, and here, nothing is processed or frozen. While the Kalimpong branch is on a balcony with mountain views, the Kolkata branch retains the charm of the same traditional mud walls, with minimalist and traditional decor. It doesn’t overwhelm you with Kalimpong feels but it is a beautiful blend of Kolkata and Kalimpong,” said Iftekhar.

Anshuman and Husna-Tara Prakash of Glenburn Tea Estate were present. Asil Amin, the managing director of Imaan Hospitality (Aminia Restaurants), also came for the tasting with his sister. Chef Joymalya Banerjee was quite happy with the food. “The food was good and more people should look into using local and organic produce,” he said.

Fashion designer Rini Seal was seen enjoying a bite, as was musician Diptanshu Roy aka Dolinman with Karie. He said, “We have visited the Kalimpong outlet before, and this new branch offers a distinct vibe. We are looking forward to it.”.

Sukrit Sen, musician and the head of the Kolkata chapter of the Living Waters Museum was also present.

Art Cafe at a glance

• Address: 17C, Dr. Sarat Banerjee Road (near Lake Market)
• Open: Tuesday to Sunday, Noon to 9pm
• Seats: 30
• Menu pop picks: Jhol Momo, Fing Salad, Buckwheat Crepes, coffee and more