RAJ'S SPANISH CAFE, DHARMTALA.

Within the ever-busy area of New Market, lies disguised in one of the streets, Raj's Spanish Cafe. To be exact, it is located on Sudder St, Kolkata. After its establishment a few decades ago, it was very famous among foreigners, but it soon attracted locals as well. 

The place is filled with food connoisseurs from all over the world. They are very friendly and often seek to build connections. This helps create and maintain the international cafe culture in this place. The walls are painted with emotions, rather than ink. Stained with memories of different customers who have been there over the time, and sometimes the same one visiting at different times and leaving their marks. Afterall, "you won't find the same person twice, not even in the same person", as Mahmoud Darwish rightly said. One can spot slogans, dates, catch-phrases, famous dialogues, caricatures and various other such. There is also a designates soft board, to which few tissue papers are pinned, the same ones put on tables. On a closer look, the tissues also contain story from customers. The entrance of the cafe on the outer region contain table and chairs. During winter evening, customers prefer to stay there. Whereas inside the cafe, on the corner one will find stool sofas like furniture lined up against the wall, along with cushions. These things make the place very hospitable and cozy. 

 

 

This cafe stands out as the one and only in Kolkata where wood-fired oven is used for preparing authentic and original pizzas. The list goes on, Margherita, Parmigiana, Contadina, Spinaci, and innumerous other kinds. Margherita pizzas are delicately made with fine crust and its authentic cheese-pull. It is a completely vegetarian pizza, with no use of egg, garlic, onion etc. There are various spanish delicacies, the most famous one being Pollo Asado Con Pure De Patata. It is a proteinaceous meal coming with a half-chicken roasted along with mashed potatoes. The chicken is very soft and extremely finely cooked. Tortilla De Patatas is a Spanish preparation of fried eggs and potatoes, served with bread. Another Spanish origin is chicken meatballs, Albondigas en salsa espanol, served with potato fries and bread. The Honey Lemon Soda refreshes not only ones body, but the soul too, with its unending fizz and the sweet bursts of honey. The coffees are also intricately crafted, ranging from Americano to Iced mocha. There are many Italian dishes, Mexican specialties as well as our very own Indian Thalis. The menu doesn't stop here. Even the desserts range is profuse serving innumerable crepes to Macedonia, Tiramisu and ice creams, Lassi. Whilst housing such a huge diversity of delicacies, the prices are astoundingly pocket friendly. 

 

 

 

Unlike popular instagram-trendy cafes famous among netizens, this place stands out for providing what truly a cafe needs. Cafe cultures generally involve people spending time, be it alone or with loved ones or even their laptops. They may go hours in quietude or completing their tasks. This requires a certain ambience not many places can cater. Along with striking interior and delectable menu, the staff is very welcoming and warm.