Pasta pizzazz: Chinese tops Kolkata’s dine-out platter, Italian close 2nd
Times of India | 23 July 2024Chinese dishes are the most ordered across restaurants in the city but a bigger surprise is that Italian fare, particularly pizza and pasta, has climbed to the second spot, pushing North Indian cuisine and Mughlai down the order, claims a survey by the National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI).
The survey, part of NRAI’s annual report, shows 52% of respondents from Kolkatasaid they ordered Chinese when eating out, while 45% said their first preference was for Italian.
North Indian dishes ranked third among most preferred options (44%), followedby Mughlai (42%). While the city’s preference for Chinese is well known, the ascent of Italian cuisine has taken foodies by surprise.
Three major Italian food chains have been operating in the city for more than two decades but these are more popular for ordering in, industry insiders say.
Over the past decade, multiple Italian restaurants have sprung up in the city, making pepperoni pizza and Spaghetti Bolognese almost as popular as Manchurian chicken and Schezwan fried rice.
‘Italian cuisine is gaining popularity’
Pizza, pasta, risotto and lasagna were now as popular in Kolkata as Chinese fried rice and chilli chicken, said Hrishi Bajoria, owner of Chillis Grill & Bar, which has several Italian dishes on its menu.
“Till recently, eating out would mean ordering Chinese and Mughlai, but now an Italian spread isjust as popular,” he added.
Places like Café Mezzuna, Serafina, Chillis Grill & Bar, Sorano, Beanshot, Pepe Rosa and Makati are now seeing dishes like pizza Carbonara, pasta Aglio e Olio or ravioli flying off shelves. Even cafes that have sprung up in residential neighbourhoods thrive on Italian orders.
“At Café Mezzuna, which servesItalian cuisine, we have seen a consistent spurt in demand every year,” said Anjan Chatterjee, chairman, Speciality Restaurants. He added that pizza and pasta had graduated from being fast food to fine-dine choices.
Pradip Rozario, owner of KK’s Fusion, said when he introduced Italian cuisine 25 years ago, there were not many takers. “There were hardly any Italian restaurants in the city then. But now, at KK’s, the demand for Italian food is increasing,” he said.
Most restaurateurs feel Chinese cuisine will never lose its popularity in Kolkata. “Italian is growing in popularity, but Chinese food retains its hold,” said Bajoria, who opened Royal China four years ago.
