Last year when I had gone to review Soba Sassy, on Ho Chi Minh Sarani, restauranteur Harsh Sonthalia, who owns the beautiful Asian outlet with co-partners Apurva Salarpuria and Aman Chitlangia, had shared his plans to expand and open something that will give the people of Calcutta reason to be proud of. Cut to December 2023, I was sitting with Harsh at Pepe Rosa, a brand new Italian restaurant co-owned by the same partners. “When I go to Delhi, my first and last meal has to be at Cafe Dali; in Bombay I have to eat at Americano but here I never get the craving that I need to go and eat at any of the Italian restaurants here, so I wanted to open an Italian restaurant that will have that impact,” explained Harsh.
The Art Room: This 25-seater is the first section when you enter. The handpainted art inspired by Roman mythology on the 14ft by 18ft wall, red couches, and unique flooring, make it an arty corner
Talking about the story behind the name of the place, Harsh said: “I loved the colour of Pepe Rosa (pink peppercorn) much like the colour of a Barolo and Pomodoro and we have used it extensively on the walls and floor. The name had a ring to it, which identified with my vision for the place. Hence Pepe Rosa!”
Pepe Rosa is spread across 5,500sq ft space with three distinct sections catering to different moods. Red-white and blue-white are dominant shades. Arches, pattered flooring, a spacious wood-fired stone pizza oven, a dedicated wine bar cheekily called ‘Fifty Shades of Wine’ are some of the first things you would notice when you enter. Talking of the wine bar, the wine menu is explicit, and thoughtfully designed keeping regions and taste in mind. Besides delicious mains, the menu has about 50 small plates with authentic Italian ingredients and flavours.
Pepe Room: This 50-seater section has white and blue as dominant shades, that instantly remind us of the South of Italy. Equipped with a bar and DJ console, expect this place to turn into a party place on the weekends
“Italian food is all about ingredients unlike other cuisines where you can add sauces or spices and you will be fine. Here if the ingredients are of top quality, the food will be fine. The menu has four types of negroni, five types of spritz, three coffee cocktails and sangrias and all of them have an Italian influence,” said Harsh.
Harsh Sonthalia
Build your appetite with Melon Carpaccio — a light, sweet, nutty, salty salad to build your appetite. Thinly sliced honeydew melon is drizzled with basil vinaigrette, and garnished with fruit caviar, walnuts and dollops of feta cheese.
Asparagus Eclairs packs in a surprise where house-made fresh eclairs are piped with silky smooth and creamy asparagus mousse. Enjoy the sublime flavours of asparagus and the mild sweetness of the choux pastry, along with Parmesan cream that creates magic on the plate.
If it's an Italian restaurant, it must have Limoncello — Italian lemon liqueur typical to South of France. Pepe Rosa's Limoncello Spritz will remind you of the Amalfi Coast where this drink is common. Refreshing, fizzy with a twang of lime, this is a clear winner!