Plate It Forward Hospitality Group is set to launch Kolkata Social, a vibrant new Bengali restaurant on King Street, Newtown.
Led by Chef Ahana Dutt (previously Firedoor, Raja), this new venue brings the rich culinary traditions of Kolkata to Sydney, celebrating family recipes and a deep connection to culture.
For Dutt, food is personal. Born and raised in Kolkata, her love for cooking was shaped by her mother—a sentiment that resonates with Plate It Forward’s ethos. In her six months with the group, she has not only developed a produce-driven, seasonal menu but also mentored 19 refugee and asylum-seeker women, with eight progressing into leadership roles within the company.
Kolkata Social’s menu is an intentional take on Indian cuisine, going beyond the usual suspects of butter chicken and naan to showcase the depth of Bengali flavours. Expect dishes like Paturi, a delicately spiced ricotta wrapped in banana leaf and caramelised on a flat pan, and Radhabollobhi, a fried flatbread stuffed with a spiced lentil filling. Seafood lovers will be drawn to the Smoked Barramundi, fried in mustard oil and served in a rich, smoky sauce of yoghurt, cardamom, and green chilli. For dessert, Dutt pays homage to her mother with a Vanilla Pound Cake, saffron yogurt cream, and seasonal fruit—a nostalgic nod to home.
For drinks, expetc bold flavours to lead the way, featuring playful yet refined cocktails like the Mini Mustard Martini, a Bengali-inspired take on the classic Gibson, and the Spiked Lassi, a saffron-infused yoghurt slushie with a kick. The restaurant will also serve Kolkata Lager, a bespoke brew crafted in collaboration with Mountain Culture.
Like all Plate It Forward venues, dining at Kolkata Social is more than just a meal—it’s a movement. For every set menu purchased, two meals will be donated: one to someone in Sydney and another in Kolkata, in partnership with the charity Calcutta Rescue. The venue will also provide supported employment opportunities to individuals often excluded from the job market, ensuring meaningful impact with every dish served.
Designed by Dutt herself, Kolkata Social draws inspiration from the bustling streets of Kolkata, with colour-blocked interiors and monochromatic themes. Family is at the heart of the space, with walls adorned with artwork by Dutt’s uncle, Somnath Basu Thakur, and a mural of her mother, Sharmila Basu Thaur, painted by artist Marlon Dalton. This powerful tribute joins the murals of strong women in Plate It Forward’s other venues, including Amma at Colombo Social, Bibi at Kabul Social, and Babusya at Kyiv Social.
Founder Shaun Christie-David sums up the excitement: “We’ve seen how our all-female kitchen teams at Kabul Social and Kyiv Social have thrived under Ahana’s mentorship, and we can’t wait to see the same magic unfold at Kolkata Social—while enjoying some of the best curries in Sydney.”
Kolkata Social opens Wednesday, 26th March at 528-528A King Street, Newtown.
Bookings: here.
