Kolkata: This December, restaurants on Park Street and across shopping malls in the city have witnessed a sharp spurt in footfall with the crowd count peaking on Christmas Eve. With most leading restaurants opting for late closure on several nights this month, owners feel this has been the best December ever in terms of sales and footfall.
According to Hotel and Restaurants Association of India (HRAI) national president, Sudesh Poddar, there has been 8% to 10% increase in sales of both food and liquor while value-wise, the jump was 15% due to the hike in prices of food and beverages in the last year.
“We have taken late closure since December 23. Liquor is being served till 1am while the restaurants remain open till 2am,” said Nitin Kothari, owner of Mocambo, Peter Cat and Peter Hu?, adding this was surely one of the best Decembers in recent years. His restaurants on Park Street remained fully occupied almost every day over the last three weeks. Kothari is expecting this trend to continue. “Interestingly, this time there is no slump period. We are witnessing packed house even at 4-4.30pm which used to be a bit dull,” he added. The chairman of Speciality Restaurants that has brands like Mainland China, Asia Kitchen, Café Mezzuna, Haka, Hopi Pola and Barishh, Anjan Chatterjee is happy about the sales and footfalls this month. “We had late closing time at all our restaurants. This was up to 2am for more liquor centric brands while for family brands it was 1am. I should say Kolkata is the top food destination now,” he added.
Charles Mantosh, who has leading restaurants like Waldorf, Magnolia and Floriana, feels that life in Park Street is very good this year. “Thanks to the state for a good Park Street festival, this year’s crowd is even more. Even at midnight, you could see 5,000 people here. All our restaurants had late closing. Not only for the post-Covid period, I feel this is one of the best Decembers ever,” he added.
Debaditya Chaudhury, MD of Chowman, Oudh 1590 & Chapter 2, said, “We witnessed rising sales since December 20 and have also seen a rise in deliveries.” Pradip Rozario, owner of KK’s Fusion, agreed. Moloy Dutta, partner at Opium Bar & Restaurant, said this year Sector V also witnessed a major footfall. “Christmas Eve was really good. Thanks to the newly opened walking street,” he added.
According to Hotel and Restaurants Association of India (HRAI) national president, Sudesh Poddar, there has been 8% to 10% increase in sales of both food and liquor while value-wise, the jump was 15% due to the hike in prices of food and beverages in the last year.
“We have taken late closure since December 23. Liquor is being served till 1am while the restaurants remain open till 2am,” said Nitin Kothari, owner of Mocambo, Peter Cat and Peter Hu?, adding this was surely one of the best Decembers in recent years. His restaurants on Park Street remained fully occupied almost every day over the last three weeks. Kothari is expecting this trend to continue. “Interestingly, this time there is no slump period. We are witnessing packed house even at 4-4.30pm which used to be a bit dull,” he added. The chairman of Speciality Restaurants that has brands like Mainland China, Asia Kitchen, Café Mezzuna, Haka, Hopi Pola and Barishh, Anjan Chatterjee is happy about the sales and footfalls this month. “We had late closing time at all our restaurants. This was up to 2am for more liquor centric brands while for family brands it was 1am. I should say Kolkata is the top food destination now,” he added.
Charles Mantosh, who has leading restaurants like Waldorf, Magnolia and Floriana, feels that life in Park Street is very good this year. “Thanks to the state for a good Park Street festival, this year’s crowd is even more. Even at midnight, you could see 5,000 people here. All our restaurants had late closing. Not only for the post-Covid period, I feel this is one of the best Decembers ever,” he added.
Debaditya Chaudhury, MD of Chowman, Oudh 1590 & Chapter 2, said, “We witnessed rising sales since December 20 and have also seen a rise in deliveries.” Pradip Rozario, owner of KK’s Fusion, agreed. Moloy Dutta, partner at Opium Bar & Restaurant, said this year Sector V also witnessed a major footfall. “Christmas Eve was really good. Thanks to the newly opened walking street,” he added.