Photo via Instagram @oh___calcutta
Aug. 20, 2024 By Shane O’Brien
An Indian restaurant combining a blend of Kolkata’s regional specialties with classic Indian dishes has opened its doors near the Long Island City waterfront.
Oh! Calcutta opened its doors at 10-57 Jackson Ave. at the end of July and will hold an official grand opening on Monday, Aug. 26.
The restaurant is a new venture from owner Ruhel Amin, who also runs Mumbai Masala in Harlem and Masti Indian Grill and Chaat Bar in Williamsburg.
Oh! Calcutta draws on the traditional home-style cooking and spice-blending techniques of “Old Calcutta”, making use of Paanch Poran, a distinctive house-ground “five spice” blend widely used across Bengal and Eastern India. The spice blend combines cumin, brown mustard, fenugreek, nigella and fennel, while all other spices used at the restaurant are roasted and house-grounded.
Ruhel has appointed chefs Sharmeen Rahman and Lisha Khondokar at Oh! Calcutta, with both chefs sharing a passion for home-style cooking.
Rahman and Khondokar have been involved with Ruhel since the launch of Masti Indian Grill in 2020 and now bring a number of traditional Indian recipes to Oh! Calcutta.
Interior of Oh! Calcutta. Photo via Instagram @oh___calcutta
Rahman has spent years developing her chutneys, relishes and curries, while Khondokar, who learned to cook from her mother and aunts, will bring a number of time-tested recipes passed down from generation to generation to Oh! Calcutta.
Khondokar also captures the essence of Kolkata street food with her Jhal Muri – a popular street snack in the Bengali region – and provides lighter vegan and vegetarian options with her Vegetable Cutlet – a traditional Kolkata dish consisting of a beet and potato mash with breadcrumbs and peanuts.
She also showcases the unique flavors of Kolkata with her Lake Market Fish Fry and the Misti Dhoi dessert – a yoghurt treat commonly found in West Bengal.
The restaurant boasts dozens of other dishes specifically from the Kolkata region, including Singhara, a Kolkata-style samosa with spiced potatoes and cauliflowers; Kosha Mangsho, a slow-cooked bone-in goat curry; Fish Paturi, roasted fish in a banana leaf; and Lamb Saag, a dish consisting of spiced lamb, pureed spinach and ginger.
Oh! Calcutta additionally offers dozens of traditional Indian dishes, including Butter Chicken, Chicken Vindaloo and Dal Saag – a vegetarian dish consisting of lentils, spinach and ginger.
The restaurant boasts a relaxed design, featuring vintage photographs of Old Calcutta and floor-to-ceiling windows offering excellent views of the local neighborhood.
Oh! Calcutta also boasts an enclosed outdoor dining area, while the storefront features a white marble countertop for takeout orders.
The restaurant is open seven days a week, between 11:30 a.m. and 10 p.m., although it is closed between 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday.
