
Calcutta Cricket Club (CCC) went on our must-try list after hearing all the buzz around town about this restaurant that opened last July in Calgary’s happening beltline strip on 17th Avenue. Not even a year after opening, CCC was recently named one of Canada’s Best 100 and Calgary’s Top 25 restaurants (Avenue Magazine). Inspired by tastes from Bengali, the menu brings modern versions of classic Indian fair dishes in small plate and main dish styles. The creative cocktail list is extensive and perfect for sipping with just some snacks like Kati rolls and curry and chips, or complimenting the palettes experiencing the menu’s full cuisine.
We finally had a chance to try CCC last month during their daily short-and-sweet 5-6pm happy hour where we immersed ourselves in a feast of tasty selections for a more than reasonable penny. Our first-time evening dining experience was so fabulous we knew we had to return on a weekend to try the brunch menu and appreciate the sun lighting up the restaurant’s remarkable décor.
ENERGETIC SOCIAL CLUB SPACE
*Photos courtesy of Calcutta Cricket Club
The interior surroundings offers a 1950-1960’s Indian social club vibe in a modern setting and elevates the CCC dining experience to a whole new level. Designed by local artist Maya Gohill, her first restaurant design has received a lot of attention and recently won the Canada’s Best Designed Restaurant award on Canada’s 100 Best list.
The floor is checkered and the colors throughout are pastel pinks, blues and mint green. The bar area is especially remarkable with it’s Morrocan ceramic tiles, Tiffany lamps and bamboo bar stools. And of course no one can resist noticing the statement vintage carousel leopard above the bar. Also lovely are the rattan screens which subtly separate the banquette seating area from the open concept kitchen.
Overall we found the space at CCC to be inviting with it’s energetic and easy-going vibes. Another enjoyable element to our surroundings while brunching was the music. Nothing beats enjoying some good eats while listening to blast-from-the-past hits of Depeche Mode, The Smiths, Billy Idol and Queen.
BRUNCH WITH AN ETHNIC TWIST
CCC’s brunch menu offers traditional comfort food favorites like pancakes and bennies but with an ethnic twist. A variety of cocktails are also available to compliment the delightful brunch dishes.
Chai tea – a perfect balance of sweet, chai tea spice and creamy goodness.
Pineapple Mimosa – Pineapple juice with champagne is an approachable yet exotic take on your standard mimosa.
Mango Lassi – If you haven’t tried a mango lassi you must. If you are concerned at all about the heat in Indian cuisine, the creamy fruity mango lassi extinguishes that concern.
Ovaltine-Chai Pancakes – A delicious fresh take on a staple , these pancakes are fluffy and crispy on the edges and topped with sweetness and hints of Indian spice. Elevated with a nice cream and blueberry compote. Ovaltine and chai are one of my favorite comfort drinks and to combine them into a pancake is genius.
Feature Benny – perfectly prepared medium poached eggs served on top of pulled pork hollandaise with just the right amount of mild heat served on homemade naan bread. The naan is a nice alternative to the traditional English muffin and soaks up all the yolky-hollandaise goodness. Served with a side dish of masala potatoes with, peas, caramelized onions, mustard seeds, and a comforting masala spice.
Parsi Akuri – Soft and creamy scrambled eggs with subtle savoury spices is a refreshing twist on a classic. Comes with a nicely toasted and crispy sourdough bread that is a nice counterpoint to the eggs. Also served with the delicious marsala potatoes.
ON THE CCC PATIO
*Photos courtesy of Calcutta Cricket Club
It’s been a long and drawn out winter and rough start to spring so when the warm weather finally decides to show up in Calgary, foodies will most certainly flock to patios. CCC will re-open it’s patio doors for the second season in the next few months and wait, isn’t it’s one-year anniversary just around the corner?! It’s hard to believe this amazingly accomplished restaurant isn’t even one year old yet!
Whether you are a local or traveller to Calgary, Calcutta Cricket Club is a must-try if you want a delicious and stylish dining experience in a vibrant setting.
HOURS AND HIGHLIGHTS
Open 5pm daily with happy hour between 5pm-6pm
Brunch 11am-3pm Saturday & Sunday
$5 Beer and Kati Roll Special Sundays
Reservations Available
Take Out Available
For more information, check out Calcutta Cricket Club’s Website
*** This post was in partnership with CCC and Thank You Hospitality . All opinions are my own.
Tim Fortier
Sounds so great there Sandy! I can’t wait to go and try it and check out the decor it all sounds fantastic!
Sandy
It really is a must see & try – the decor and food is phenomenal! Let’s go together sometime !
Karla
The ambiance is so perfect for Instagram! No wonder it is included in the top restaurants to visit. I’ll definitely go there when I visit Calgary!
Sandy
Hi Karla, it’s definitely a must! You won’t be disappointed!
Indrani
Calcutta used to be the name of one of the metropolitan cities of India. Good to read about a restaurant with that name 🙂 I definitely would love to dine here if ever I visit that part of your country.
Sandy
Hi Indrani! I’m glad you enjoyed the read about Calcutta and yes a definite must try !
jill conyers
I like the idea of brunch with an ethnic twist. And patio dining too.
Sandy
Hi Jill, the ethnicity really adds a nice touch to the brunch tradition and yes, can’t wait for patio weather !
Christine Kong
OMG, this place is the cutest! I love the decor and all the pastel colors. Talk about being so Instagrammable too! The food looks incredible. I personally love Indian food and the idea of a modern, chic, and hip Indian place is too fabulous. I really wish I lived there but if I am ever there to visit, this place is a definite on my list. I need that mango lassi and the Chai pancakes sound divine. Thanks for sharing! xoxo, Christine
http://dailykongfidence.com/
Sandy
You’re welcome and thanks for the wonderful feedback as always, Christine. I hope you travel here one day for a visit – you won’t be disappointed!
ting
The interior decor is so eye-catching and love the happy vibe in this restaurant. I am a fan of Indian spice and that Pineapple Mimosa sounds so tempting. The pancake definitely looks so scrumptious. Thanks so much for sharing.
Xx
Ting
https://www.tingmystyle.com
Sandy
The mimosa was so refreshing Ting! And the pancake was my favourite dish so far!
Karolina
Looks like my kind of place! 🙂 And I’m really impressed with your pics – they are gorgeous!
Sandy
Aww thanks Karolina. The decor pictures were provided by the restaurant but I took the pics of the delicious food!
Emily Fata, www.EmulatingEmily.com
This looks like such a gorgeous place! I’m travelling to Calgary from Toronto later this spring, and I’ll have to check it out myself!
Sandy
Yes! You will definitely have to go try it! It’s one of Calgary’s best restaurants !
andria
Wow, what a great looking restaurant, the decor is fabulous! Will have to keep this in mind when travelling to Calgary!
Sandy
Yes, it is one place you won’t want to miss if you’re visiting Calgary. Hope you get to try it out one day!
Megan Rowsey
I will sit on that adorable patio and drink pineapple mimosas any day!
Sandy
I’ll join you on the patio with my mimosa in had too!
Codrut Turcanu
I like the way THE CCC PATIO looks like, super cool, thanks!
Sandy
I can’t wait until it opens – It will be my hangout spot for sure this summer!
Beth Eaton
Wow, that place looks stunning!!! I wish I was closer!
Sandy
Beth, if you ever visit sometime you will need to try it!
Amanda Martin
This place is SO cute and the food looks scrumptious! Chai pancakes? Yes and amen!
Sandy
The Chai-Ovaltine pancakes are so heavenly!
Helen
Wow this place looks really nice. I’m glad the food matches. When I’m in Canada I’ll have to check it out.
Sandy
Hi Helen, yes you definitely need to try it when you visit!
Belle
Such a gorgeous place! The ambiance is just fantastic! And the food looks truly amazing!
Belle | http://www.OneAwesomeMomma.com
Sandy
You are so right, Belle. CCC nails it on all points, decor, food, vibes – all spectacular!
Candy
I would love to dine there. There sounds to like so many amazing things and the photos look delicious.
Sandy
Hi Candy, it is a must-try experience for sure!
Leigh Suznovich
This place looks amazing!! I hope we can get to Calgary to visit soon and try it out.
Sandy
Hi Leigh, I hope that you can come here to visit soon too!
Erica Luczakowsky
This is/would be the most darling place to hold a brunch! The menu looks incredible and I am in love with the aesthetic!
xoxo,
E
Sandy
Hi Erica, it really is! In fact it will be hosting several Mothers Day brunches next month! A perfect spot for any special occasion!
Hanna Smith
This place looks SO AMAZING!! I wouldn’t be able to stop taking pictures long enough to eat a meal!! I especially love that giant pink flower arrangement in the gold vase!
Sandy
Hi Hanna, yes the decor is absolutely breath-taking. Hence the award for Best Restaurant Design!
Aurela lacaj
This place is sure GRAM worthy! It looks amazing! I love Indian food too, wish I could cook it myself. Chai tea is one of my favourites too. The menu looks incredible, wish I lived closed by this place.
Thanks for sharing!
Aurela x
http://www.aurelafashionista.com
Sandy
Thanks Aurela! I agree – everything about Calcutta Cricket Club is photo and instagram worthy. So picturesque right?!
Candace
I used to be more of a traditional breakfast girl, but recently, I’ve ventured off and tried new foods. That being said, I wouldn’t mind giving this brunch from Calcutta Cricket Club a try! My meal of choice would have to be the Ovaltine-Chai Pancakes and Parsi Akuri. I am a sucker for pancakes and eggs in general and these both sound incredible!
http://www.thebeautybeau.com
Sandy
I’m the same Candace! Traditional breakfast is my fav but I’m also adventurous and love mixing tradition with different flavours. These pancakes were definitely my all-time favourite for sure!
Luci
This looks like a really lovely place to go. The pancakes look so delicious as well, it looks like so many choices.
Sandy
It’s a real treat to dine here – the food is absolutely delish!