ECHOES Kolkata turned 100 days old last week and has established itself as one of the top hotspots in the city. The 200-seater all-day café bar at Topsia has a dual personality. The 6,000 sq ft Rajbari-style diner turns into a party zone as the sun sets. And the vibe is worth experiencing when the DJ mixes music in the boiler room set-up and when there are bands performing and raising the tempo.
Divided into different sections, Echoes, an inclusive Delhi-based brand that employs deaf and mute personnel as their service staff, caters to the needs of different customers, under one roof. So while college students can opt for a more relaxed setting, the VIP section has ornate furniture giving a royal feel. There is also a private space with a more modern vibe, while the patio with a faux fountain works as a cosy spot for small groups to hangout in. Do look out for vintage elements like a gramophone player and an antique radio that add to the theme. Pratik Agarwal, the owner, says, “This is the fourth outlet of Echoes and our uniqueness lies in not just our inclusive nature of employing specially-abled service staff but the Rajbari theme, food and music as well.”
With a 25-ft long bar, the eatery offers cocktails and shots in interesting avatars. While the shots are served in pawwa-style (mini bottles), Banta Bahar offers four flavours of vodka-based cocktails in glass bottles. We sampled the refreshing cranberry and basil-based Tulsi Meri Aangan Ki and loved every sip of it. Team it up with their Agarwal‘s Chakna Platter that offers three kinds of masala chaknas. One can also try their All Chicken Fried Bowl with five types of fried chicken preparation that can be munched on over chilled beverages.
The main menu offers Chinese, Italian, Indian, tandoori and continental flavours. Tandoori Momo, a fusion of momo and tandoori, served with mint chutney was a delectable synthesis of the two cuisines and we loved every bite of it. For the ones who look for one pot meal, Chef Xavier has Pepper My Way for them. The tossed veggies in sweet tomato sauce tantalised our taste buds while the grilled cottage cheese laced in pepper sauce made us yearn for more. Served along with herb rice, lunch is sorted for many. Thalis with butter roti, churchura naan, papad and onion accompanied with veg and non-veg selections like Butter Chicken, Dal Makhani, Shahi Paneer and more are for the ones who believe in desi food.
Rs 1,800 plus taxes.