The Olives

The Olives is situated on the ground floor of building number 10 on VIP Road. We are right across from the Haj House, which is a big landmark around here near the Kolkata Airport. Being so close to the airport means there is always a sense of rush outside. We see a lot of people with suitcases who look like they’ve had a long day of traveling. The restaurant isn't massive, but we’ve managed to fit enough tables to keep it lively. The walls could probably use a fresh coat of paint, but we’ve been too busy to get around to it lately. We started this because we wanted a place that felt like a regular neighborhood joint even in such a busy transit area. You can hear the planes taking off if you listen closely, but the chatter inside usually drowns it out. Our staff is mostly made up of guys from the local area who have been with us for years. We don't have any of those polished marketing slogans. We just open the doors and start cooking. Sometimes the AC struggles when it’s really humid outside, but we do our best to keep it cool for the guests. It’s just a straightforward spot on the way to or from the terminal. We like the pace of life here on VIP Road, even when it gets a bit chaotic.