An Open air restaurant under the clear blue skies on a terrace equivalent to the 8th Floor in the heart of Bandra and very prominently located
Am I kidding ?
No way - Its true and its a great new eatery - almost a year old, I think - and still no review on it ?
Well, I am back ( I never did go away - just hibernated )and I am going to enlighten all you hungry souls out here.
This ’’zara hatkey’’ restaurant is on the terrace of Shopper’s Stop in Bandra on Linking Road.
Yes, you heard right - and stop rubbing your eyes and go check it out. They also have a ’’machaan’’ - a terrace atop a terrace.
Its cool, its buzzing and its The JOINT to hang around if you wanna take your new girlfriend out and want to impress her with that old line - I want to take you out some place special - some place you’ve never heard of.
But beware of the hukkah gurgle - you could end up rubbing your eyes and wiping the same from hers before you know it. I wonder what pleasure is derived from smoking these polluting chimneys.
If you thought that smoking on these ’’pipes of poison’ was cool - take a look around - you won’t find envious glances but all disdain and disapproving looks.
The starters are a delight. Excellent succulent kebabs. Try the Galouti Kebabs or the Paneer seekh kebabs - Soft and melt in your mouth types.
Exotic mocktails that will satiate your thirst and make you feel that liquor is for those who come here to drown their sorrows and empty their pockets.
The main course serves the usual fare under different labels but quality and quantity get the thumbs up from me. Add to it the surprise addition - yes, they serve great sizzlers - so we see more smoke and pollution. Come to think of it, why did they name it’’sheesha’’ (glass/mirror)- they should’ve named it ’’Dhuan’’ ! (smoke)
Crisp and hot rotis (bread) are straight from the oven. A good serving of onions and green chutney and crunchy papads all complimentary-make the dinner all the more complete and satisfying. An array of desserts causing a lot of commotion on which one to order. The menu lists ample variety of Vegeterian dishes so our Veggie friends needn’t look around sheepishly at the transparent grill and oven corner with whole chicken and kebabs impaled on skewers.
A great open air ambience inviting you to whisper sweet nothings to your loved one under the moon and the stars - mind you take care - don’t go overboard and and promise the moon and stars ! Or the trip down from the top of the heavens wont be so pleasant. The view from the eigth floor open terrace is breathtaking. The seating is well spaced out and quite comfortable considering that its mostly wooden and concrete but overall appealing.
Parking is a breeze in the neighbourhood but I didn’t see any valet parking services. The ride up the glass ( here comes the first reference to it’s name’’sheesha’’) elevator is an eye-opener and ear popper for the kids. Credit Cards are accepted. The prices are quite acceptable considering the location and rustic rural ambience. Pollution though is Free and on the house. The only jarring note is the Chinese Usherer in a rustic Indian open air restaurant. Completely out of sync. Trivia-This place used to be an open air strip-tease bar earlier till the neighbouring occupants got it shut down for obscenity and vulgarity. I dare say that many neighbours were dissapointed after this also because they lost out on an excellent opportunity to oggle at’bare necessities’ for free.
Good food - great ambience - go check it out - A dinner for four should set you back by approx INR 700/- odd. Bon Appetit !
Regards
Raja