Dear friends,
First and foremost, please note that I am not writing this review or article keeping only in mind the ’’night club’’ or ’’disco’’ or ’’pub’’ aspect of Athena. I am reviewing Athena for my fellow MS members, mostly for it’s ’’world cuisine’’ and fine dining. I have given a general description about the whole place, and wish to highlight mostly the dining aspect of this trendy and happening nightclub.
Forget Indian, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, Italian food. It is world cuisine that is the draw at ATHENA, the premier champagne bar-cum-nightclub-cum-cigar lounge-cum-restaurant-cum-place to be seen at. Here’s a recipe for success : take one large rundown godown, have a vision, work round the clock and hey, presto !, you have a very happening nightspot right in the heart of Mumbai. Athena is located at Minoo Desai Marg, behind Radio Club, Mumbai. In a city which comes alive at night, Athena is a place for every night animal, combining the vibrancy of a bar/club, the serenity of a lounge, exclusivity of a private parlour and fine dining with an international cuisine and over 180 wines from around the world to choose from. Wines are priced ranging from Rs. 75 to Rs. 750 per glass. A glass of fruity German Riesling is available at Rs 165, or you can choose between the Chateau Margaux (Rs 42, 000), Chateau Cheval Balance (Rs 60, 000) or, the Chateau Petrus at a whopping Rs 3.5 lakh per bottle ! In all, there are four bars stocking Athena’s large variety of wines and liquors.
When Vikrant Chougule of Chateau Indage first conceived the idea of a trendy nightspot, he was sure of one thing - it had to be world class, just like their wines. Teaming up with Moshe Shek, who has catered to celebrities like Michael Jackson, Gorbachev and Princess Diana ensured that the food was world class. Moshe refuses to confine the cuisine at Athena into narrow categories, experimenting with different flavours, happily breaking hoary culinary traditions to conjure his own eclectic fare which is very popular. But there is more to Athena than international and fusion cuisine. Neutral whites, creams, and taupe browns manage to create a feeling of space even when the place is filled to capacity -- which is every weekend. The lighting is cleverly engineered : minimal in the seating lounge (for members and their guests only), bright and cheerful in the restaurant area, and adjustable in the central area. The cool recesses of the VIP lounges uncurl the stress of the day and the really privileged platinum card members can relax or entertain in the fragrant, candle-lit Buddha Lounge. Or, if the preference is for mote energetic activity, there is the bar lounge, which also doubles as a dance floor. The cigar lounge offers cigars from around the world for men of the world. While the restaurant is open to the public, access to the various lounges is for members only. Spread over 10, 000 sq. ft. and done up in minimalist style, this is a place where you can do your own thing. If you prefer to party, go ahead, and if you prefer peace, so be it.
Among the luxuries at Athena, are an efficient valet service (at least six valets per shift), a reasonably late closing hour (2 a.m.) and an unbeatable environment, which hovers between that of a classy nightclub and a happening, young discotheque. All this at perfectly reasonable rates, drinks are priced between Rs 200-500 ; and a meal for two would work out to be in the range of Rs 1, 200. Another special feature is the debit-card system -- one can avail of this plastic token in any desired domination (Rs 500 upwards) and charge drinks and eatables on it till it runs out.
Memberships are available in three categories--personal, gold and platinum. Members are offered attractive benefits like sizeable discounts on food and beverages, guaranteed table bookings, and a request list facility for friends and family.
And, as we made our way out, a familiar-looking couple was making their way in - John Abraham and Bipasha Basu, Athena’s latest patrons.
Recommended Dishes :
Fried Risotto Cakes
Herbed Roast Chicken
Pan-fried Chicken Honey and Hoisin
Rice Crusted Fillet of Pompfret
Chocolate Ganache Cake
Apple Crumble
P. S. On Friday and Saturday nights, and theme nights, entry is Rs. 1000 per couple. No stags allowed on these days. Otherwise, entry is Rs. 500 per couple. Stags allowed on all other days except theme nights for Rs. 500 per head.