Ask any Kolkata local for a food recommendation and chances are that they’ll recommend a visit to Peter Cat. And during our time in Kolkata, the City of Joy, we heard the locals and visited Peter Cat to try their iconic Chelo Kebab. Did it impress us or leave us disappointed? Find out in this edition of Dine & Dish, our social media IP where we give honest, unfiltered reviews of restaurants.
Dine & Dish: Peter Cat unstumbled Review
About Peter Cat, Kolkata
Peter Cat in Kolkata is one of the most iconic restaurants in Kolkata. The restaurant is known for its iconic retro-style colonial ambiance and signature Chelo Kebab.
It is located on Park Street and was founded in 1975 by Nitin Kothari, the same person owning the adjacent Mocambo. Over the years, it has attained a cult status, becoming the go-to spot for both locals and tourists. The restaurant, even after decades of being operational, is famous for a single dish, the trademarked Chelo Kebab.
The restaurant, apart from its iconic Chelo Kebab, is known for Mughlai, Continental, and North Indian cuisines. Apart from the delicious food, the staff also is a highlight – dressed in traditional Indian sherwanis and turbans, maintaining formal colonial-style hospitality.
Interested in knowing Kolkata’s history? Why not participate in heritage walks in Kolkata?
Peter Cat unstumbled Food Review: Dine Or Dish?
For our first restaurant to try in Kolkata, we went to the iconic Peter Cat. This was the first time our entire review was about just one dish because that’s how iconic it is!
And of course, we immediately ordered the Chelo Kebab!
The Chelo Kebab has been a Kolkata institution since 1975, and people literally queue up for it. The platte looks like a visual delight, with the components being Mutton Kebab, Chicken Kebab, and Buttered Rice. While the kebabs looked succulent, we were taken aback by the Buttered Rice which contained actual dollops of butter!
The plate, full of rice and meat is a treat for those who enjoy non-vegetarian food, but it didn’t quite impress us!
Was it completely flat and lacked any flavor? No.
But did it impress us or blew us away? Neither!
The mutton seekh kebab was soft and well-seasoned, while the chicken kebab was flavorful but a little dry. The buttered rice was nice, but that’s about it. None of the components stood out on their own. Overall, the dish was fine, but it just lacked that oomph. Maybe our expectations were a little too high given its iconic status!
Safe to say, Peter Cat unfortunately became a Peter Can’t.
Also Read: 10 Best Restaurants In Kolkata For Families
Peter Cat Food Review: Our Ratings & Details
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Food: 3/5
Service: 3/5
Ambience: 4/5
Value for money: 2/5
Return factor: 2/5
Address: Stephen Court Building, 18 A, Park St, opposite KFC Restaurant, Park Street area, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071
Timings: 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Also Read: What Is The Difference Between Hyderabadi, Lucknowi, And Kolkata Biryani
Author’s Note
Chelo Kebab at Peter Cat definitely left us disappointed as we entered with high expectations. The components were okay in terms of taste but we felt they didn’t feel coherent together. We paid INR 562 for the Chelo Kebab, which can be slightly expensive for one dish. Is it worth the money? We don’t think so!
Summing Up
Peter Cat in Kolkata is an iconic place, attracting locals and tourists from all over India. We went there to try their iconic Chelo Kebab but it definitely has room for improvement. The individual components were quite good, but overall, the dish didn’t feel coherent. If you’re coming to Kolkata, you can pay it a visit to this iconic place but we wouldn’t recommend coming to Kolkata solely for this place!
