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.
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
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!”
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!
If you know Italian cuisine well, you would know the importance of San Marzano tomatoes and Tortellini Al Arrabiata has lots of it. Tri-coloured house-made Tortellinis are stuffed with Pimento and Parmigiano and tossed in fiery and delicious tomato and pepperoncino sauce that is so addictive that you won't stop eating
Rosa Room: A giant installation on the ceiling in shades of wine defines the decor of the wine room which will offer a large selection of wine by the glass and bottles. "The wine colour and deep orange are inspired by Campari and wine itself," said Harsh, who has channelled his passion in this restaurant and has been hands-on involved in conceptualising the decor
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.
Harsh Sonthalia
“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.
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