Kolkata: For foodies in Kolkata, a sharper pocket pinch is set to be compensated by Messi magic. Even as several city restaurants have raised their menu prices this week following a steep hike in commercial LPG price over the last one month, they are laying out the World Cup red carpet to beat the price rise blues. Waiting queues are getting longer at restaurants with TV screens even as many are planning to set up giant screens during the latter stages of the Cup.While most matches are being played after midnight or early in the morning when restaurants don’t operate, repeat telecasts are being closely followed over food and drinks. “We had a packed house throughout Friday evening when the Portugal vs South Africa match, the inaugural game, was being shown. Many of our guests keenly followed it since the match was played after midnight on Thursday. This could be the trend this World Cup and we expect bigger crowds for Brazil and Argentina matches,” said Pratap Daryanani, owner of Oasis on Park Street.At Songhai and Manthan, replays of World Cup matches are being beamed throughout the day. It has helped footfalls pick up even as the restaurants have effected a 5%-6% price rise from June 1. “Football fever is on and we expect footfalls to persist even after the summer vacation, which sees a spurt. Since most are not being able to watch the matches live, football fans have started following the repeat telecasts keenly. On Saturday night, we had a carnival atmosphere with fans cheering as the USA-Paraguay game was being shown, almost a day after it was played. Most hadn’t seen it live so they enjoyed it. On Sunday, Brazil plays its first match early in the morning and we expect fans to stream in and enjoy the deferred telecast in the evening,” said Sudesh sPoddar, also the president of the Association of Hotels and Restaurants of Eastern India (AHEI).At MS Bar & Lounge, World Cup fever has been supplemented by live music and a DJ on Saturday nights.Nightclubs, too, expect a crowd surge. LMNOQ on Park Street expects a crowd surge on the big match days and on weekends. “We will have a better idea next week once the Cup progresses. Kolkata has a huge football following and the World Cup is big. We might stay open later than usual depending on the attendance,” said Rajiv Nathany of LMNOQ.Amber on Waterloo Street has effected a 4%-5% price rise but the football excitement may not make a difference due to the match timings, felt owner Sanjay Khullar. “Footfalls have been good so far and it would have helped had the matches been played in the evening. The new prices are reasonable considering the all-round inflation, particularly the rise in commercial price. So it should not have an impact on footfalls,” said Khullar.Outlets of Specialty Restaurants, Café Mezzuna, Flame & Grill and Hoppipola are about to see a 4%-5% price rise. “In some liquor-led restaurants, World Cup may make a difference,” said Anjan Chatterjee, MD, Specialty Restaurants.Chapter 2 in south Kolkata plans to deck up in a ‘World Cup theme’ soon with flags, World Cup mascots and jerseys. “While we are contemplating a price rise, it’s not yet final. For the World Cup, we will have mango-based cocktails, mocktails and main course dishes named after star footballers,” said owner and co-founder Shiladitya Chaudhury.Techie Souvik De, a sports fan, plans to catch some of the Brazil, Argentina, Spain and Germany matches at his favourite restaurant. “The timings are odd so it won’t be possible to watch them live. But I am still looking ahead to some watch parties as the Cup progresses and it has to be a restobar,” he said.
