And should you want to raise a toast, the recently opened lounge and bar is just the place to be.

Entering through the foyer done in bright red, the first thing you notice is the spaciousness of the place, which prompts you to drop all worries about cramped  seating and distancing norms.

The restaurant as well as the bar and lounge follows all stringent safety and hygiene norms, including contact-less menus, distancing rules, automatic hand sanitizer dispenser at the entrance, thermal temperature screening, regular kitchen hygiene and sanitization, and masks and gloves worn by the staff at all times.

The restaurant, which had opened a little before the country-wide lock down came into force, is an elegant dining area, with a subtle brown and beige colour palette.

Said Rishi Bajoria (chief mentor) during the February inauguration of the restaurant, “After years of holding the vision to bring Royal China to Kolkata, we are extremely delighted to finally introduce the brand to the City of Joy. We endeavour to deliver an authentic and an unforgettable dining experience.”

The lounge and bar (with its private smoking room) decked in cove lighting, striking wall art, a long bar with orange bar stools, bar back designed in a rose gold and jet black metal finish, exude a plush but informal ambience.

The in-house DJ station on a raised level from where the DJ can connect with the guests.

The bar menu lists timeless favourites, including ‘Margarita’, ‘Long Island Iced Tea’, ‘Espresso Martini’, ‘Tom Collins’, ‘Mojito’ and ‘Jagerbombs’ to name a few.

Shailja Bhalotia, co-owner, said, “With the launch of the Lounge and Bar by Royal China, Kolkata, we hope to build upon the charisma of the city’s nightlife through classic cocktails that never get old and relaxed lounging inspired by the laid back charm of the city.”

One of the biggest draw is that pairing your drinks with the right snack is not a bother at all.

The Royal China kitchen, which caters to the fine dining restaurant and specialises in Cantonese cuisine, can always whip up a selection of dim sums and other savoury bites of your choice from an eclectic menu.

Originating from the Guangdong region of China, Cantonese is the most widely-served style of Chinese food in the world, and specialises in fresh vegetables and meat lightly sautéed with spices and seasonings – a perfect fit for the cautious dining that most people prefer today.

The menu is fairly exhaustive (with separate menus for vegetarian and non-vegetarian diners) and it is best to take the help of the service staff if you are dropping in for the first time.

One of the star attractions here are the dim sums.

You may also like to try Pan Fried Whole Fish Pomfret in Szechuan Sauce, Fried Prawn Chueng-Fun, Roast Duck Cantonese Style, Fukien Rice and Chicken in Black Bean Sauce, Silken Tofu with Asparagus & Soya Chilli,  Royal China  Exotic Vegetables, and Fried Soya Noodles and Hongkong Style Mixed Vegetables or try some squid and abalone, to name a few.

By the way, do not forget to partake of some of the signature desserts, such as The Melting Chocolate Dome, Chocolate Mud Cake, Apple or Banana Toffee Fritters, Honey Noodles.