Mainland China, Oh! Calcutta owner Anjan Chatterjee's Chourangi to open in London

Calcutta was one of major cities from where British ruled before independence, even serving as  capital of East India Company. Over two centuries later, Calcutta is w set to 'rule' in capital of England, London. Anjan Chatterjee of Speciality Restaurants is one behind this, as his new restaurant Chourangi gears up to satisfy taste buds of Londoners.

READ: 'Yeh Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan!': Butter Chicken Stalwart Pritam's Book Out

Chourangi to London 

brain behind well-kwn brands like Mainland China, Oh! Calcutta, Sweet Bengal, among ors, spoke exclusively to Republic World ahead of launch. entrepreneur shared that his focus was on taking 'India's most unexplored cuisine', as  restaurant's tagline suggests, to London.

"London is accustomed to Indian cuisines over years, but majorly this has been to rth Indian food. I'd like to call food from Kolkata regional. We are looking forward to serve delicious flavours of city," Chatterjee says.  

menu will be familiar. "We're sticking to almost same menu as Oh! Calcutta. In fact, Chourangi is more like an offshoot of Oh! Calcutta in London." he says.  

place Chowringhee has been used in popular vels and film titles, but for Chatterjee, it was something that stood for Kolkata, like Oh! Calcutta. "We wanted it to stand for something that is a part of Kolkata, or rar heart of Kolkata," he shares. He adds that y could t open Oh! Calcutta in London because a Bangladeshi restaurant had already used name.  

READ: Must-have Dishes In Bengali Cuisine - From Begun Bhaja To Daab Chingri

With over 100 outlets of his various brands worldwide, including India, Bangladesh and Tanzania and Dubai, will Chourangi also see its branches spread out across world? Chatterjee answers, “We are t looking that far ahead yet. We have just launched."

He adds, "But we are expanding for sure. We’re opening a Mainland China outlet in Houston. While Chourangi opens in January, we are looking at USA branch of Mainland China around May-June.” 

READ: Bread Rasmalai Recipe To Give A Twist To Traditional Bengali Sweet-dish

Anjan Chatterjee’s success story has been inspirational, from starting as an advertising professional to taking Speciality Restaurants to heights of profits. It is one of few restaurant businesses to be listed on stock market, and reportedly had a turver of Rs 346 crore in 2018-19. He, however, credits success to two simple factors: love for food and  desire to serve honest food.

“I live to eat, unlike ors who eat to live. My conversations with people are about food. It’s often one of first things I ask anyone about," entrepreneur proudly says. 

He adds, "We have thrived on our desire to serve honest food. Without any disrespect to anyone, re has been numerous fusion food items, that usually has thing to do with what dish is all about.  We have consciously tried to avoid this, and keep basic essence of dishes alive.” 

Anjan Chatterjee signs off by saying that his son has w joined business. And like youngster has brought company’s focus from just food to food alongside liquor, Speciality Restaurants is always determined to explore various avenues to keep growing like y have till w.   

READ: Bengali Aloo Posto Recipe: Try se Easy Steps To Prepare Delicious Bengali Dish