Cricket is like a religion in India, the beloved sport uniting folks from every region, class and creed across the nation. Following independence, the Indian community reclaimed their Bengali cricket clubs and members bars – and now Melbourne has scored one of its very own.
Award-winning chef Mischa Tropp (Toddy Shop) has teamed up with Crown Melbourne to open Kolkata Cricket Club. His biggest project to date, the 150-seater restaurant brings pan-Indian and Bengali-influenced fare to the forefront, including Tropp's irresistibly good butter chicken (IYKYK), meats hot out of the tandoor oven, naan, seafood and a long list of beer-friendly snacks – perfect for long boozy afternoons.
There are two distinct dining spaces to choose from: the Sporting Bar and a new private dining room. At the bar, you can complement your ice-cold pints with beer-battered fries and curry sauce, kulcha breads stuffed with saffron-braised duck and beautifully prepared thali plates. The flexible new dining space can host everything from intimate birthday dinners to gatherings with room for 70 seated guests. With custom-made teak chairs and lamps sourced from artisans in Jaipur, it's a beautifully ornate area to suit all occasions.
For more info and to make a booking, head to the website.
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