Winter in Calcutta always brings with it a sense of nostalgia — the golden light, the nip in the air, the comfort of hearty flavours. This season, Olive Cafe & Bar Kolkata captures that exact feeling with the launch of its all-new winter menu and the much-awaited reopening of its fully functional bar. Nestled within its Mediterranean white-and-blue interiors overlooking Shakespeare Sarani, Olive introduces a winter celebration where soulful food meets spirited mixology. Crafted by chef Jyotika Malik and brought to life by lead mixologist Harish Chhimwal, the winter lineup blends warmth, playfulness, and seasonal freshness — all while staying true to Olive’s ethos of honest, comforting, beautifully plated food. “The menu is a mix of warm and comforting flavours, all great for winter dining. You have cheese, winter veggies, soups, and baked dishes that will all spark nostalgia for diners,” said chef Jyotika Malik.
t2 gets you the deets.
A glimpse of Moonlit Magic, a candle-lit Monday night special where the entire space is adorned with candles, while live music plays.
Mushroom Cappuccino: A luxurious mix of porcini and button mushrooms, the cappuccino is airy on top yet deeply savoury underneath. The truffle notes round it out beautifully, offering richness without heaviness.
Baked Brie with roasted figs and almonds: This dish is indulgence perfected — molten Brie baked with herbs and honey until lush and creamy. The fig and almonds add a delicate sweetness, while crisp crostini bring texture and crunch.
Halloumi and Pineapple Espetada: A vegetarian delight featuring golden cubes of grilled halloumi paired with caramelised pineapple. The salty-sweet interplay makes it irresistible.
Calabrian Chilli & Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Espetada: Juicy skewered chicken marinated in Calabrian chilli brings a smoky, spicy kick. The sun-dried tomatoes introduce brightness, creating a layered Mediterranean flavour profile, labneh, sumac rice, and grilled veggies add more body to the dish.
Tostadas — Fried Fish: Light, flaky fried fish sits atop crisp tortillas layered with avocado and a refreshing cabbage-apple slaw. Each bite delivers a contrast of textures, creating a coastal-inspired plate that is crisp, creamy, and delightfully bright.
Tostadas — Pulled Oyster Mushrooms: Crisp corn tortillas form the perfect base for a vibrant medley of avocado, red cabbage, and green apple slaw. Pulled oyster mushrooms bring an umami-rich depth, giving this dish a beautiful balance of crunch, creaminess, and freshness.
Pumpkin & Poppy Seed Agnolotti: Little pockets of pasta filled with sweet pumpkin, finished with butter and toasted poppy seeds. It’s earthy, nutty, and beautifully wintery. The herbed oil adds a fresh zing to the dish.
Gardenia Pizza: A colourful celebration of winter produce, this hand-tossed pizza comes alive with corn, sun-dried tomatoes, jalapenos, olives, and red bell peppers. The mild heat of jalapenos balanced with the sweetness of vegetables makes each slice vibrant and full of flavour.
Spinach & Ricotta Pithivier: This flaky pastry dome hides delicate layers of spinach, ricotta, and herbs. Light yet comforting, it’s winter elegance on a plate. The pithivier is a classic French-style pastry and when you cut into the pastry, the cheese and spinach mix oozes out.
Yellow Taxi: A tribute to Calcutta’s iconic cabs, this drink blends mezcal and pineapple-infused tequila with coco-pepper tonic. Smoky, tropical, and subtly spiced, it mirrors the city’s vibrant momentum.
Hoogly Ho! Gimlet: A refreshing blend of gin, gondhoraj and green mango cordial — a zesty, aromatic ode to aam kasundi. Bright, tart, and beautifully balanced.
Pictures: B Halder
Dining and Cooking