Calcutta Social has to kind of doff its hat to that culture of Calcutta. For me, now I want to find the Oly’s vibe, that Coffee House vibe where they sit and have those animated conversations,” Riyaaz Amlani had told t2 last October in an exclusive chat. Exactly one year later, we stood once again with Riyaaz Amlani, founder and managing director of Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt Ltd, at Park Street Social as he gave us an exclusive walkthrough of the 10,000sq ft space.
"It's happening, Social is finally in Calcutta," said Riyaaz, looking relaxed with a smile on his face. "I want to make it clear that Social is a comfort place, it's not a trendy place, we want to make it a familiar place where there is room for everybody. We are very obsessed with the social spaces of India like chawls, parks, and coffeehouses. Social tries to reimagine those spaces and contemporise them. We are always being inspired by the vernacular and borrow from ourselves," said Riyaaz while taking us through the 48th Social outlet in India.
Park Street Social has three floors that capture three different vibes. There's nostalgia, heritage, adda and workspace and also captures the ultimate chill spot vibe.
Food captures the diversity of India and since they open at 9am, there are Breakfast Trays, Platters, Munchies, Baos, Epic Lunch Thalis, Social Substantials, Glocal Heroes, Pizzas, Pastas, Desserts and so much more. The tipple menu screams fun with cocktails, which you can have at any point in the day. "We are like your neighbourhood adda spot, offering great meals, drinks, music and good people," explained Riyaaz.
Here's bringing you the first look of Park Street Social that is a love letter to Calcutta, celebrating the city in all its avatars.
(Clockwise from left) New Social Cabin is the surprise element! Often while drawing inspiration from Calcutta, we see elements such as the yellow cabs, Howrah Bridge or Victoria Memorial being commonly used, but Social pays tribute to the “cabin culture” of the city. Small cabins with swing doors, dim lights hanging from top, tinted glasses for privacy — they have hit the right spot!
The third floor is the terrace that wears a very relaxed, serene and clutter-free look with lots of greenery. ‘Ki hocchey Kolkata!’ reads one of the neon messages on the wall. With winter setting in, this will be your ideal spot for sure! “There is another terrace that is going to come up in a month’s time. Together, it will make a huge outdoor space,” said Riyaaz.
This floor acts like a co-working space for people who want to come and work. They will get this space from 9am-6pm MondayFriday. There’s high-speed Wi-Fi, lots of natural light coming in, and the conference room can pack about 20 people,” said Riyaaz.
700016 — Park Street’s pincode in Bengali letters glows bright on the walls. There are wooden letterboxes at the entrance with Bengali surnames like Banerjee and Mookherjee on them. Don’t forget to spot the vintage telephone too!
(Clockwise from left) The washrooms continue the Babu culture with babu and bibi themed walls.
Yellow cabs have also found their spot at Park Street Social.
#CALCUTTAINSPIRED: Park Street Social pays a homage to Calcutta in several ways. The stairs have alpona, the headrests have the hand-pulled rickshaw bells, there’s cool Babu-Bibi romancing on the walls, while “taratari cholo” screams out loud.
floor, which looks nothing like the first floor. This spot during the evening remains mellow, exquisite carpets adorn the ceilings, there are walls with stunning accents, a typewriter and so on. “The same place in the evening becomes a live entertainment spot that also doubles up as the dance floor, there will be DJ music, catering to all genres, techno to pop. We want to get local artistes also,” explained Riyaaz.
“You might make a nice-looking Instagrammable place but after sometime people will come back only if its real. I want to make Social as real as possible. Purana comfortable pyjama, joota... we believe in, come as you are, be comfortable,” said Riyaaz.
Keeping biryani lovers in mind, Social’s menu boasts of a variety of biryanis. From Mutton Biryani with chunky mutton pieces, aloo and eggs to Bhuna Prawn Biryani that we tried. We loved them both. The spices are right, the rice is well done and portions are good. Rs 530
(Clockwise from left) Chaat lovers can call for Puraani Dilli Chaat Walk, an excellent lip-smacking curation of chaats that has Papdi Chaat, Dahi Bhalla, Sev Poori, and Golgappas at Rs 415. #mouthwatering
Walk in as early at 9am and indulge in a fulfilling Bengali Breakfast Tray that has phulko luchi, aloo, a choice between Mughlai Paratha or Dhakai Paratha with dal and sandesh. Rs 450
Winter is almost here and that means we have more reason to dig into piping hot momos. Soupy Prawn Momos are succulent with a strong garlic-y and spicy taste. Rs 450
Satiating and wholesome thalis have been a Social signature for years. Indulge in the sublime flavours of Aroraji Punjabi Kadhi that has home-style kadhi served with steamed rice and papad. Rs 230
(Left) Trip on the Drip, a cranberry, orange, peach, vodka cocktail served in a pouch is not only Instagrammable but yummy too because of the fruity quotient. Rs 410 and Rs 525 (with Ketel One)
(Bottom) Paneer Tikka & Bell Pepper Pizza is a classic paneer tikka with smoked bell peppers and cheese in abundance. Rs 425
(Middle) Get a taste of Social’s original LIITs, a drink that has been replicated a zillion times across outlets for its quantity, recipe and cool presentation. Electric (Rs 850), Classic (Rs 775) and Toxic (Rs 850) are the LIIT options available. Prices mentioned are for 500ml.
(Right) The Pink Pound, a super smooth cocktail made with tequila, rose water and fresh grapefruit will make you love this cocktail instantly, especially when it comes garnished with an edible pound note. Rs 600