So, when I heard about Calcutta, the latest restaurant to open its doors in Petts Wood, I was curious to see whether it could live up to the buzz.
Calcutta on the Queensway(Image: Ezekiel Bertrand)
From the outside, Calcutta looks sleek and modern, with soft lighting and elegant signage that already hints at something a little more refined.
Step through the door, and you’re met with an atmosphere that feels both warm and sophisticated.
I’m not a huge fan of that “fine dining stiffness”, but they did a great job of balancing the atmospheres.
The interior is stunning in a low-key way.
It’s got that shiny-dark-lights feel with soft plush seating, and everything is laid out as though you could reach to the table behind you to make lifelong friends.
Usually, it’s the food that it the standout at the restaurant, and while this was the case, one of the best things here was definitely the staff.
They’re friendly and attentive without hovering, and conversational without trying too hard.
They don’t tiptoe around your table like they’re scared to interrupt.
You can tell they enjoy their job, and that makes a world of difference.
As soon as I sat down, thin and crispy poppadoms arrived at the table.
My friend and I demolished them almost immediately, dunking each piece into the classic trio of dips: mango chutney, mint sauce, and a mild, tangy onion mix.
They’re simple, but I’ll admit it that I love poppadoms.
They set the tone for everything that follows, and here they were spot on.
For my starter, I went with the Peshwari lamb chops, which came highly recommended by the staff.
They were everything you’d want from a good Indian starter: tender, smoky, and bursting with that layered spice that builds flavour rather than heat.
The chops came with a fresh mint dipping sauce and a neat little garnish salad that actually tasted fresh, unlike that tired lettuce leaf you sometimes get.
Each bite felt deliberately balanced, as if the chef knew exactly when to stop seasoning and let the meat speak for itself.
The menu at Calcutta immediately caught my attention for being different.
It’s not just your standard list of kormas, baltis, and masalas (though those are there too).
Instead, there are dishes that genuinely surprise you.
For example, the Lobster Kalimrich, which is a rich seafood curry cooked in a peppercorn-infused sauce, or the Rabbit Lababdar, a slow-cooked rabbit dish in a velvety tomato-onion gravy.
It’s not every day you see rabbit on any menu, and it shows the restaurant’s ambition to offer something beyond the expected.
For my main course, I’ll admit I played it safe by going for the Murgh Makhanwala, which is essentially butter chicken, but that doesn’t make it ordinary.
The sauce was thick and buttery, and full of that slow-cooked depth that comes from patience and care.
I decided to skip the rice and go for a Peshwari naan instead, which turned out to be a great call.
By this point, I was full, but I couldn’t resist dessert.
There’s always room for ice cream, which is exactly what I went for, and it was a refreshing end to the meal.
What makes Calcutta so special isn’t just the food, though that’s excellent.
It’s the overall feeling of being looked after.
The service is warm and personable, the food feels crafted rather than mass-produced, and the atmosphere hits that perfect middle ground between high-end and homely.
Petts Wood has no shortage of good restaurants, but Calcutta feels like it’s carving out a niche of its own with its “elegant without being exclusive” vibe.
Whether you’re in it for the adventurous dishes or the comfort of the classics, this is the kind of place where every meal feels like an occasion.
Calcutta absolutely deserves a spot on your list, so if you love Indian dishes like me, check it out.
