One8 Commune, Park Street Area, Kolkata

Restaurant Name: One8 Commune, Park Street Area, Kolkata
Phone: +918335071818, +918335051818
Address: 13, Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Kankaria Estates, Park Street area, Kolkata 700071 West Bengal India
Time: 12:00 Noon – 11:00 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 2,500
Cuisines: Finger Food, Continental, North Indian, Asian, Beverages
Facilities: Takeaway Available, Full Bar Available, Live Sports Screening, Outdoor Seating, Indoor Seating, Serves Cocktails, Table booking recommended, Live Entertainment, Valet Parking Available, Live Music, Rooftop, Free Wifi

There could not have been a better fit for Virat Kohli’s One8 Commune than a pandemic hit winter Kolkata. While the world is shirking from community tables and public gatherings in general, the mind space is continuously looking for safe, new options to usher in another new year under the slow threat of a third wave of the Virus.

In a cluster of new-boms, a stone’s throw away from almost choked, party-hit Park Street, this sprawling dining-lounging space with open seating draws a welcoming sigh of relief for utter spaciousness. The subtlety in colonial design adds to the laid back privacy of socially distanced pod seating patterns, with a raised exclusive PDR endorsed by the neon framed autograph of the man himself. Thank God for the city’s architectural heritage, ample vaulted ceiling height, Howrah bridge inspired metal trusses; infused with Gothic wall arches behind the lolling curvature of a 35-feet signature bar, bidasar marble floors, cane and leather upholstery and suspended warm glow lighting creates an aura only Kolkata can dream of. The contrasting jewel tones of rust-orange, dull olive and myriad blues create the fashionable plush intrusions wherever necessary; though the faux greens seem a bit unnecessary. Uncomplicated and minimal service style makes it an opportune practice keeping with the times and DJ with house sets complete the revelry.

One8 Commune, Park Street Area, Kolkata: Food

The menu signifies harmony in the global commune and inclines in favour of nouvelle comfort food. We love the tweaks and the local perks for enhanced drama. It makes a perfect spot for extended cluster eating. And with a mixologist in the house, it might as well make your new year celebrations memorable. We go with all small plates in random order and keep it flowing with Virat’s favourite Anticucho Himalayan mushroom sliders (₹ 465), follow it up with Bandel mochar chop (₹ 345), Yasai salad (₹ 425), Prawn tempura sushi (₹ 625) and house recommended One8 Commune signature chicken (₹ 525).

Plus & Minus:

The local delicacy, Bandel mochar chop breaks all myths, with lightly crumbed crunchy cigars packed with the inimitable plantain florets, crumbled Bandel cheese and ruby pomegranate beads for plating, it is a regeneration in revivalist refinement. The Yasai or fresh vegetable salad draws inspiration from its Japanese origin with a jumble of leafy greens, carrots, beet root, cucumber and sliced onion tossed in light soy and sesame umami dressing, with sweet potato crisps and sprinkling of chopped almonds upping the sweet and savory balance. The fried Prawn tempura sushi comes in a substantial platter of eight with delicate streaks of zesty bean chilli mayo. The house special signature chicken basks in sizzling glory; barbecued Korean boneless spicy chicken pieces served on a bed of melty ripe cheddar topped with black and white sesame. And finally, the mini mushroom sliders tell a hearty Himalayan foraging story, served with mayo, mustard and a bunch of fries though the menu claims a Peruvian anticucho sauce. For dessert, the Chocolate fondant (₹ 345) takes a nice 15 minutes to be readied, yet only a few minutes of jabs and scoops for the oozing chocolate river to be mopped up with ice cream.