Bianco, on 9, Ekdalia Road, recently got a makeover. My Kolkata was there to check out the cafe’s new do and met with owner Rohan Pariyar
The cafe’s new decor is minimalistic and white plays the hero. ‘I chose white because when I stepped into this building for the first time, everything was white. And it made the space so beautiful. White accentuates everything around it, so the food and people in the cafe stand out, which is what I love,’ says Pariyar
The walls of the cafe sport hand-painted illustrations of the streets in Milan — all painted by a talented team of artists from Kolkata. The illustrations on the wall of the second floor are of Pariyar’s favourite streets in Milan
Teacups and saucers dot the walls of the cafe, giving it a modern edge. They are also used innovatively as ceiling lights and standing lamps to add a touch of warmth to the haunt. The dim yellow-hued lights are the perfect highlight for the white-themed joint
Bianco is punctuated with a number of spots for the best photo-ops. There’s a classic wooden rocking chair with a quaint bookshelf and a coffee table, a number of walls and archways with beguiling illustrations and an intriguing ‘Wall of Fame’. The seating is of varying heights — from tall armchairs to low moras and cute wooden chairs
The ‘Wall of Fame’ is the largest wall on the ground floor, which features black-and-white portraits of the global icons — from Elvis Presley and Ritu Kumar to Oprah Winfrey and Christian Dior. ‘My ‘Wall of Fame’ will keep changing. I’ll incorporate everyone who has made an impact on my life. Soon it’ll also showcase Audrey Hepburn, Suchitra Sen and Princess Diana,’ says Pariyar. An interesting element in the ‘Wall of Fame’ are mirrors placed in between the portraits which are meant to depict that everyone can be iconic
Bianco also has a private dining room that can be reserved for birthday parties, pop-ups, business events and more. Pariyar suggests a specially curated fusion meal that incorporates Bengali and Italian cultures in five delectable courses to go along with all functions held at Bianco
The new menu at Bianco ranges from Rs 199 to Rs 1,500. ‘I wanted to set up a place that caters to everyone – from school and college-going children and young adults to parents, professionals and even grandparents!’ says Pariyar. You’ll spot ‘Calcutta’ classics like Fish A La Diana and Lobster Thermidor and contemporary picks like Nolen Gur Affagato, Truffled Au Gratin and Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Bianco also has very innovative plating. The platters are served in boats — bringing a slice of Italy to the Kolkata joint. ‘When I was in Milan, I saw sushi boats. In Kolkata, everyone is very fond of snacks and starters, so I thought serving platters on boats like those would do well,’ says Pariyar. The newest boat on the menu is the Oriental Boat, which is an oriental chicken platter with five types of chicken — chicken satay, fiery chicken wings, schezwan chicken, crispy mandarin chicken and grilled teriyaki chicken
According to Pariyar, footfall at Bianco has increased four times since the revamp. Customers of all ages come to hang out, eat, play board games, and sometimes even to work
Bianco is a soothing haunt, perfect for some ‘me time’. Sit back with a good book or grab a cup of coffee. There’s also a brilliant selection of music playing most of the day. Listen out for Elton John, Camilla Cabello and Sebastián Yatra