Peter Cat Restaurant Review
When we think of Calcutta (sorry, I prefer call it Calcutta and not Kolkata, the name Calcutta has more history, character and style), the first thing that comes to our mind is food –rasgullas, puchkas, momos, biryani, Chinese, Park 
Street – the works!
I spent Chirstmas in Calcutta last year and boy did I love basking in the sunny winter mornings. We spent a day walking on Park Street soaking up the winter sun and working up an appetite for restaurants like Bar-be-Que, Peter Cat or Moulin Rouge. Being the Christmas week, most places were full, but people waited patiently outside.
After a shopping spree at Rajniklal – famous for their ceramic kitchen wear, we headed to Peter Cat for lunch. Since there was a queue, we were asked to come back within 20 minutes to be seated inside Peter Cat. This was my first visit to Peter Cat, as mostly I would head to Bar-be-Que in Park Street for the Chinese.
I think after visiting Peter Cat, I am now tempted to add a new category for my restaurant reviews – the Snoot Factor. As I was looking at the menu card, which is a huge cut-out of a cat.
One of the head waiters just came by and picked it up on his way somewhere else, without asking whether we were ready to order; when I told him, I am still looking at it. When we asked for two Cream of Asparagus soup, followed by the main course, the head waiter’s enthusiasm dropped as if he were disappointed we weren’t ordering any more or not spending enough money. That changed their attitude completely and every time someone new came to serve our main course (which did not come together, mine came first, so I waited till the others got their meals served on the table).
I don’t think they take stress and heavy rush too well. They appeared to be under-staffed and there was some chaos in the far end of the restaurant, where the air conditioner was non-operational and as a result a client refused to pay money as it was hot and walked away without paying.
Suddenly, there was a commotion in Peter Cat and all the head waiters and stewards were running about trying to do some damage control. Ultimately, what I gathered from their discussions, the client paid the amount (maybe half) and left. The stewards were discussing loudly with the barman, the bar was very close to where we were sitting and I think, he realized that his colleagues where loud while talking about that client and he asked them to lower their voices.
A good restaurant will never make the other clients feel that there is something wrong. They will handle things so well that the others will never come to know about a chaos.
While the name says Peter Cat, I was wondering why the stewards are wearing Indian/ Pathani uniforms – with turbans, kurta, kamar band and pajyamas. Maybe they thought it’s best not to change the attire from the time they started.
Now coming to the food part – Cream of Chicken Asparagus – strictly okay, Grilled Bhetki Fish with Orange sauce, good, but not great, Special house Sizzler – the usual fare, nothing interesting. Finally a winner the Chocolate Souffle – it was dreamy, soft, fluffy, not too sweet and it saved the day.
I wish the staff were polite, and handled stress better. Peter Cat is a brand and an institution and I think they have reached a stage where the staff/ owners don’t seem to bother about maintaining the image or the brand of Peter Cat as they know that their clients will still drop by no matter what.
Overall, my experience at Peter Cat was not all that great; it was rather disappointing. I was told their Chello kebabs are the best, maybe I will try that again the next time. Until then, I hope they buckle up their kamarbandhs and smarten up a bit in terms of service and politeness. As a Bengali from Mumbai, I’d certainly like to come back for more!
Location:
Peter Cat Restaurant
18 Park Street
Kolkata – 700 016
Phone – 033 – 2229-8841
*Please Note – Pricing may change/ vary according to location and time.
We were at the Peter Cat last summer when we visited Cal. Great place with an amazing history attached to it. though this place is most famous for their Chello Kebabs which is originally a Persian dish…..we tried the Sizzler’s.They were beyond doubt good and worth the money……a chilled beer adds to the charred flavour.what actually impressed me about the place were the beams on the roof (they can be seen when you visit the rest room on the first floor). They were manufactured in England in the early 1900 and still stand testimony of the British Raj in Cal. BTW Tanya…..great site……had to rush through it as we are rather busy but will read it leisurely when I make some time.
Yes but i do agree with the fact regrading the staff…….impolite YES!!!!!. They are not at all Child friendly. Details when we meet.
Service is an issue with most of the old Park Street Restaurants like Peter Cat , Mocambo etc…The ambience , food however keep drawing the crowds.
The staff of Peter Cat are, Iam sorry to say, a bunch of impertinent fools with no training whatsoever. “An amazing history” they may have from the days of British Raj, but they have no sense of English food. Our meal was ruined when they dished a slab of meat with some sickening sauce poured all over. Do not know what concoction they were aiming at. I actually had to send an uncomplimentary note to the chef.
PETER CAT you may be love, but you ain’t the cat’s whiskers!
I agree with you completely. The ambiance, the food, the staff are crying for attention. Thanks for your comments.
Dear friends
..I am from Jamshedpur had been Peter Cat on 20th March,2015 exactly at 11.05 pm with an with an intention to have chelos cabab. we were only two persons. The entry was not a problem as during this time only i visited peter cat a number of times in the pat as the food i like very much and whenver come to kolkata try to make it. I was absolutely shocked and surprised when the Manger Mr Ancil stopped me going kn saying that the restaurant has been closed at 11 pm only. I requested him many a times that we are from jamshedpur and last 2 occasions we could not make it was long waiting. But the Manager who claimed himself as he is the Owner of the restn. Everything is available the cctv footage. He was very ugly with me and literally insulted me to leave the place. i then refer to the web site and noted that The timing written is from 11.30 am to 11.30 pm. but by that time the most unprofessional acting owner Mr Ancil was left. He was so arrogant to me. I had to travel around 20 kms just to take the dinner and received this unexpected behaviour. the whole episode of 10.mnts has made me quite disappointed and i am extremely upset with this issue. This needs to be sorted out.
Partha Sarkar 0943137176
Dear Mr. Sarkar,
Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. We sincerely hope that restaurants and cafes all across the country treat their customers well. Yes we understand there are rules and regulations and timings that restaurants need to observe and follow as set out by the civic authorities, but being rude to a customer is unacceptable.
Last night i visited Peter cat with my sister. As usual we went to enlist our name to the restaurant crew was standing outside with a paper and pen, he was rude enough to enlist the name and wasnt even ready to say that approximate how much time we need to wait. His face was like he is badly suffering from constipation!