Hard Rock Cafe Cairo
Grand Hyatt Cairo
Corniche El Nile, Garden City
Cairo, Egypt
+2(02) 5321277/81/85
Hours:
Restaurant:
Sun - Sat 12:00PM - 4:00AM
Merchandise:
Sun - Sat 11:00AM - 4:00AM
It started with an Eric Clapton guitar (a Fender Lead II, for the gearheads in the audience). The beginning of something that nobody even knew was beginning.
It was just a goof. A laugh. A joke among friends.
Back in the seventies, Clapton - the original guitar god, founder of Cream and Derek & the Dominoes, creator of the immortal "Layla" - liked to eat at this quirky American diner in London called the Hard Rock Cafe. The place was this funky old building that used to be a Rolls Royce dealership, and it was run by a couple of young Americans who liked to keep it loose. Founded by Isaac Tigrett and Peter Morton, two enterprising and music-loving Americans, Hard Rock Cafe was an instant classic. You could be yourself at the Hard Rock. It was good food and a good time.
So Clapton got to be friends with the proprietors and asked them to save him a regular table, put up a brass plaque or something. And the young proprietors said, “Why don't we put up your guitar?” They all had a chuckle, and he handed over a guitar, and they slapped it on the wall.
No one thought much more about it. Until a week later, when another guitar arrived (a Gibson Les Paul, by the way). With it was a note from Pete Townshend of The Who which read: "Mine's as good as his. Love, Pete."
The young proprietors put it on the wall. After that, the guitars never stopped coming. Today there are more than 70,000 guitars, drums, pianos, harmonicas, microphones, shirts, pants, scarves, shoes, handwritten lyrics, cars, bikes, a bus and assorted rock memorabilia - by far, the largest, most valuable such collection in the world - on the walls of over 138 Hard Rock Cafes, Hotels and Casinos in 42 countries around the world.
But it all started with the one.
And about 30 years later, the Hard Rock Cafe opened its doors in Cairo.
With an extremely large seating space, the HRC doubles as a restaurant during the day (with even a special day for little tots with face painters etc) and a club at night.
They boast one of the best selections of spirits in Cairo. And a large variety of cocktails mixed to perfection. My personal favorite is the Golden Rita (All margaritas are 70LE) Long Beach Ice Tea (59LE with cranberry juice instead of the cola in a Long Island Ice Tea - also 59LE) Rum Runner (46LE) Drinks like Cognac are 72LE a peg. Or you can keep the alcohol for a post meal experience by trying one of the Irish Coffees (57LE) with Irish Cream, Tia Maria, Irish Whiskey or Amaretto as the base.
On Fridays they have a special offer of unlimited beer & buffalo wings for 99LE.
The Jumbo Combo (59LE) is a great appetiser with a mix of Onion Rings, potato skins, Santa Fe Spring rolls (although I prefer The Southwestern egg rolls from Chilli's) Buffalo wings & chicken tenders with 4 different sauces. A little bit of everything for everyone on the table to taste.
I've had some great food here too. The pulled lamb sandwiches, Twisted mac (39LE), blackened chicken pasta (35LE) and burgers are all great. They more than fill you up as the portions are really large.
But its the deserts that are to die for. In particular - the Fudge Brownie Sundae (29LE) Its not only awesome, its completely VFM.
The Apple Cobbler (29LE) is also good, as are the cheesecakes.
Decor is the standard Hard Rock Cafe type with guitars, pictures and other rock memorabilia all over the place. What isn't standard is the gorgeous view of the Nile from the French Windows all around. By night or by day, the Nile is a very relaxing & calming sight. The feluccas during the day and the lights at night add much character to the scene.
Staff are friendly, responsive and speak fluent English (English speaking staff is a problem in some of the other restaurants/pubs in Cairo)
They have the standard Hard Rock gift shop with overpriced clothes & pins & glasses which you can shop at if you are a collector. Otherwise the same t-shirts are available in Khan el Khalili for 10LE :) LOL
Showing posts with label Pub. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pub. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Monday, August 14, 2006
Rodeo's, Gurgaon
3rd Floor, MGF Mall
Mehrauli Gurgaon Road
Gurgaon
http://www.rodeostar.com
A kind of Wild West setting, with saddles for bar stools & waiters in cowboy hats. Service is slow though. Food is good, but not outstanding.
Rates are standard for a slightly better restaurant in Gurgaon.
Mineral water 25
Fresh Lime soda 35
Chicken Enchilada 325
Chicken Margarita 325
chicken rodeo steak 325
cottage cheese steak 285
chile rellenos 285
10% service charge
12.5% VAT
There's an average choice of options for vegetarians, although none of the vegetarian food seemed very exciting.
Ok to visit once in awhile.
Mehrauli Gurgaon Road
Gurgaon
http://www.rodeostar.com
A kind of Wild West setting, with saddles for bar stools & waiters in cowboy hats. Service is slow though. Food is good, but not outstanding.
Rates are standard for a slightly better restaurant in Gurgaon.
Mineral water 25
Fresh Lime soda 35
Chicken Enchilada 325
Chicken Margarita 325
chicken rodeo steak 325
cottage cheese steak 285
chile rellenos 285
10% service charge
12.5% VAT
There's an average choice of options for vegetarians, although none of the vegetarian food seemed very exciting.
Ok to visit once in awhile.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Opening of Fluid Spice
Fluid Spice.
2nd Floor
Mohid Heights
Next to Andheri RTO
Opp Mandke Hospital
Lokhandwala Complex Road
Andheri (W)
Read the Gossip Here
2nd Floor
Mohid Heights
Next to Andheri RTO
Opp Mandke Hospital
Lokhandwala Complex Road
Andheri (W)
Read the Gossip Here
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Rio - The Met Lounge, Mumbai
Rio - The Met Lounge
7/11 Meera Apartment
Juhu Versova Link Road
7 Bungalows
Andheri (W)
Mumbai 400 061
Tel : 5602 1389, 5604 7177
Don't walk in expecting to be transported to Rio. Why they named themselves that is not yet known to me. But it’s the closest drinking hole to my place, so its convenient. They have wooden interiors which could have been reminiscent of 10 Downing Street, if the lighting was brighter. But its not.
Crowd comprises some BPO workers when its close to salary dates, some TV heroes, heroines & junta from the 7 Bungalows, Yaari road area that just wants to drink.
Music ranges from retro to everything including bollywood remixes, depending on the DJ and the time.
BOB is around 200. Indian alcoholic brands like old monk are 120 for a small. IMFL like Bacardi is 200 for a small. The imported ones are uin the range of 300 for a small. Soft drinks are 40 a serving. Cocktails range from 300 onwards. I had a Mojito which was too sour, so I promptly moved back to the old favorite R&C. Please remember 205 VAT over and above these rates. Snacks are 150 and above. The tandoor items weren't that tasty though. Complementary groundnuts were served with the drinks.
Not very VFM nor does it have great ambience. But one of the more reasonable joints if you want to do some TV celbrity spotting. Parking is not a problem and its close to home.
7/11 Meera Apartment
Juhu Versova Link Road
7 Bungalows
Andheri (W)
Mumbai 400 061
Tel : 5602 1389, 5604 7177
Don't walk in expecting to be transported to Rio. Why they named themselves that is not yet known to me. But it’s the closest drinking hole to my place, so its convenient. They have wooden interiors which could have been reminiscent of 10 Downing Street, if the lighting was brighter. But its not.
Crowd comprises some BPO workers when its close to salary dates, some TV heroes, heroines & junta from the 7 Bungalows, Yaari road area that just wants to drink.
Music ranges from retro to everything including bollywood remixes, depending on the DJ and the time.
BOB is around 200. Indian alcoholic brands like old monk are 120 for a small. IMFL like Bacardi is 200 for a small. The imported ones are uin the range of 300 for a small. Soft drinks are 40 a serving. Cocktails range from 300 onwards. I had a Mojito which was too sour, so I promptly moved back to the old favorite R&C. Please remember 205 VAT over and above these rates. Snacks are 150 and above. The tandoor items weren't that tasty though. Complementary groundnuts were served with the drinks.
Not very VFM nor does it have great ambience. But one of the more reasonable joints if you want to do some TV celbrity spotting. Parking is not a problem and its close to home.
Friday, February 25, 2005
Coco's - Hyderabad
Coco's
Plot No 217
2nd Floor
Road No 2
Banjara Hills
Hyderabad 500 034
Ph : 2354 0600
Located opposite the KBR park, a lot has been written about the wonderful view from Coco's. Honestly, there's hardly anything that you can see once you reach there.
Its located on the terrace of the building which also houses, Shikaar, Tex Mex & Sundowner. The set up is neat. Its partly open air & the weather in Feb is ideal for this seating, late evenings. The seating is on bamboo based furniture & theres an artificial gravel kind of flooring in one section. The other section has more formalised tables which are more comfortable for eating. But if you want to relax & enjoy your drink, head to the bamboo section.
Music is played softly in the background. Theres an outstanding picture window behind th bar, which is lit from the outside, so you can see these tree branches, wherever you are seated.
This is the only open air, drinking hole, that I know of in Hyderabad. Crowd mix is between family types & friends catching up. Service is a little slow & you have to keep asking them for things like chutney, sauce & lime to go with the snacks you order. But the sheepish grin your request is accepted with, makes it kind of ok. Complimentary peanuts come with each round of drinks. BOB is around 120. Pint is 80. Cocktails in the 200 range. Mocktails a little lower. We stuck to beer.
Their kebabs are excellent. Definitely try the reshmi kebab. Or, if you are really hungry, order the kebab platter for 450/-. With 12 varieties of kebabs, 2 naans & dhal, its very worth it. They have a live grill section, on the rooftop itself, but we weren't in the mood. Anyone else try the grills @ Coco's ??? The Spinach stuffed mushrooms for 80/-, were a little bland & seemed like they had been defrosted just before frying. So, do stick to the kebabs. They do offer some items that are passable for dinner, but would advise dinner somewhere else.
All in all, it’s a nice place to catch a drink if you want a change from a noisy pub on a Sunday evening or if there's a little kid among the group that’s meeting up. But just stick to the kebabs.
Plot No 217
2nd Floor
Road No 2
Banjara Hills
Hyderabad 500 034
Ph : 2354 0600
Located opposite the KBR park, a lot has been written about the wonderful view from Coco's. Honestly, there's hardly anything that you can see once you reach there.
Its located on the terrace of the building which also houses, Shikaar, Tex Mex & Sundowner. The set up is neat. Its partly open air & the weather in Feb is ideal for this seating, late evenings. The seating is on bamboo based furniture & theres an artificial gravel kind of flooring in one section. The other section has more formalised tables which are more comfortable for eating. But if you want to relax & enjoy your drink, head to the bamboo section.
Music is played softly in the background. Theres an outstanding picture window behind th bar, which is lit from the outside, so you can see these tree branches, wherever you are seated.
This is the only open air, drinking hole, that I know of in Hyderabad. Crowd mix is between family types & friends catching up. Service is a little slow & you have to keep asking them for things like chutney, sauce & lime to go with the snacks you order. But the sheepish grin your request is accepted with, makes it kind of ok. Complimentary peanuts come with each round of drinks. BOB is around 120. Pint is 80. Cocktails in the 200 range. Mocktails a little lower. We stuck to beer.
Their kebabs are excellent. Definitely try the reshmi kebab. Or, if you are really hungry, order the kebab platter for 450/-. With 12 varieties of kebabs, 2 naans & dhal, its very worth it. They have a live grill section, on the rooftop itself, but we weren't in the mood. Anyone else try the grills @ Coco's ??? The Spinach stuffed mushrooms for 80/-, were a little bland & seemed like they had been defrosted just before frying. So, do stick to the kebabs. They do offer some items that are passable for dinner, but would advise dinner somewhere else.
All in all, it’s a nice place to catch a drink if you want a change from a noisy pub on a Sunday evening or if there's a little kid among the group that’s meeting up. But just stick to the kebabs.
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
Dublin - Hyderabad
Dublin - Welcompub
ITC Kakatiya Sheraton & Towers
6-3-1187
Begumpet
Hyderabad - 16
040 2340 0132 *2502
ITC trumpets their pub as : The Original Irish Pub, which offers an exciting array of drinks & cocktails.
Located in the basement, the décor is reminiscent of the Irish pubs in the US, but since Ive never been to Ireland, I cannot comment on the genuine authenticity of the décor. There's a pool table near one entrance where you can while away some time, if you so wish.
The crowd here is very mixed. You have some expat crowd, couple of sons of rich businessmen, some junta that troops in after or in the middle of attending functions in other parts of the Kakatiya. I guess the only uniting factor of this crowd would be that they are **Moneyed**
Which brings me to an important question - "Just what the Heck was 'I' doing there ?" Waiting for a friend who was on a Company Business Account, is a good reason and I thank the company in question for sponsoring our evening.
We ordered a Margarita Pitcher for 700 bucks. Decent amount of alcohol in the pitcher, though the glasses were oversalted. It’s a small Pitcher, so just about filled 4 margarita glasses. Don’t go expecting beer pitcher quantities. BOB is 150. MOB is 125. Pitcher is 425. + Taxes of course... They served Potato chips with tomato sauce dip and roasted peanuts complimentary on every table and you can keep ordering refills of this. Harder stuff is about 250 per 30 ml unless you are considering the higher premium brands. Mocktails / Cocktails are in the 250+ / 275+ range. We have no idea what the snacks cost. You will see why as you read further.
Music is fairly good for most part of the time. They usually have a live band with North Eastern women doing the normal song and dance routine and they are fairly good at it. But the kind of music played keeps varying based on who's requesting what and whether it’s the live band or a DJ.
The service absolutely sucks. Unless you have a fair skinned foreigner, who speaks accented English sitting at your table. When the 3 of us intially reached there, it took 20 minutes before a waiter brought us the menu. Drinks took another 30 minutes to arrive, once the order was placed. The waiter then took, over 40 minutes to revert when we asked him for the snacks menu. By the time he reverted to us, he said the kitchen was closed ! ! ! When an Amercian friend walked in and came over to our table to say hi, the same waiter who had waited for the kitchen to close before even getting us the snacks menu, mysteriously conjured up an extra chair, before the new arrival even turned around and requested one. Barely were the words "Fosters" out of his mouth and a well iced bottle materialised in his hand. We then told our American friend to ask for a water pitcher and lo & behold, it was placed in the centre of our table with a flourish and a dose of TLC. (We had been pleading for a pitcher of water for the last 4 hours and the waiter insisted he did not have a pitcher in the pub, inspite of serving us the Margaritas out of a pitcher)
Don’t visit unless you are a fair skinned foreigner, a high roller who is well known by the waiters, or have been sucked into attending a formal function at the Kakatiya, where no alcohol is being served, and you absolutely have to have your evening fortification, no matter how long it takes !
ITC Kakatiya Sheraton & Towers
6-3-1187
Begumpet
Hyderabad - 16
040 2340 0132 *2502
ITC trumpets their pub as : The Original Irish Pub, which offers an exciting array of drinks & cocktails.
Located in the basement, the décor is reminiscent of the Irish pubs in the US, but since Ive never been to Ireland, I cannot comment on the genuine authenticity of the décor. There's a pool table near one entrance where you can while away some time, if you so wish.
The crowd here is very mixed. You have some expat crowd, couple of sons of rich businessmen, some junta that troops in after or in the middle of attending functions in other parts of the Kakatiya. I guess the only uniting factor of this crowd would be that they are **Moneyed**
Which brings me to an important question - "Just what the Heck was 'I' doing there ?" Waiting for a friend who was on a Company Business Account, is a good reason and I thank the company in question for sponsoring our evening.
We ordered a Margarita Pitcher for 700 bucks. Decent amount of alcohol in the pitcher, though the glasses were oversalted. It’s a small Pitcher, so just about filled 4 margarita glasses. Don’t go expecting beer pitcher quantities. BOB is 150. MOB is 125. Pitcher is 425. + Taxes of course... They served Potato chips with tomato sauce dip and roasted peanuts complimentary on every table and you can keep ordering refills of this. Harder stuff is about 250 per 30 ml unless you are considering the higher premium brands. Mocktails / Cocktails are in the 250+ / 275+ range. We have no idea what the snacks cost. You will see why as you read further.
Music is fairly good for most part of the time. They usually have a live band with North Eastern women doing the normal song and dance routine and they are fairly good at it. But the kind of music played keeps varying based on who's requesting what and whether it’s the live band or a DJ.
The service absolutely sucks. Unless you have a fair skinned foreigner, who speaks accented English sitting at your table. When the 3 of us intially reached there, it took 20 minutes before a waiter brought us the menu. Drinks took another 30 minutes to arrive, once the order was placed. The waiter then took, over 40 minutes to revert when we asked him for the snacks menu. By the time he reverted to us, he said the kitchen was closed ! ! ! When an Amercian friend walked in and came over to our table to say hi, the same waiter who had waited for the kitchen to close before even getting us the snacks menu, mysteriously conjured up an extra chair, before the new arrival even turned around and requested one. Barely were the words "Fosters" out of his mouth and a well iced bottle materialised in his hand. We then told our American friend to ask for a water pitcher and lo & behold, it was placed in the centre of our table with a flourish and a dose of TLC. (We had been pleading for a pitcher of water for the last 4 hours and the waiter insisted he did not have a pitcher in the pub, inspite of serving us the Margaritas out of a pitcher)
Don’t visit unless you are a fair skinned foreigner, a high roller who is well known by the waiters, or have been sucked into attending a formal function at the Kakatiya, where no alcohol is being served, and you absolutely have to have your evening fortification, no matter how long it takes !
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Bangalore : Smirnoff amateur bartending workshop - Nov 27th / 28th
From: Tastemaker@tulleeho.com [mailto:tastemaker@tulleeho.com]
Do you keep awake at night thinking of:
- Is shaken better than stirred?
- What's the perfect drink for my next party?
- Is a Martini a drink or a brand?
- Does alcohol freeze?
Then you're in the right place at The Smirnoff Amateur Bartending Master
class
We have two workshops in Bangalore on the 27th and 28th of November. The
one on the 27th is the Smirnoff Mini Tastemaker Session and the one on
the 28th is the Smirnoff Regular Tastemaker Session. Take your pick.
Details below or online at www.tulleeho.com/tastemaker
Details:
27th November : Smirnoff Mini Tastemaker Session
Time: 2- 5 pm
Venue: F-Bar, Le Meridien Hotel, 28 Sankey Road
Session taken by: Shatbhi Basu
Charges:
Individual: Rs. 750/-
Group of 4 and more: Rs. 600/- per person
Your fee includes:
·The chance to make and sample upto 5 drinks
·A chance to learn from and interact with India's best beverage trainers
·High tea
·4 Smirnoff Twist miniatures (Citrus, Vanilla, Orange and Raspberry
flavoured vodka)
·3 Monin Bar syrup miniatures
·1 Smirnoff shot glass
·Handout & Certificate
28th November: Smirnoff Regular Tastemaker Session
Time: 12 - 6 pm
Venue: F-Bar, Le Meridien Hotel, 28 Sankey Road
Session taken by: Shatbhi Basu
Charges:
Individual: Rs. 1250/-
Group of 4 and more: Rs. 1000/- per person
Your fee includes:
·The chance to make and sample upto 10 drinks
·A chance to learn and interact with India's best beverage trainers
·Lunch
·4 Smirnoff Twist miniatures (Citrus, Vanilla, Orange and Raspberry
flavoured vodka)
.1 Smirnoff shot glass
·3 Monin Bar syrup miniatures
·Handout & Certificate
Do the math!
Log on to http://www.tulleeho.com/tastemaker for more details and online
registration. Mail us at tulleeho@tulleeho.com if you want any
clarifications and give us your phone number also if you want us to call
you - else call Vikram in Delhi @ 0 9810108644. Our seats fill up fast,
so register at the earliest.
We have also introduced online payment via a secure payment gateway.
Please forward this mail to friends who may be interested. You don't
drink alone, so why learn to bartend solo!
Tulleeho!
Vikram Achanta
Do you keep awake at night thinking of:
- Is shaken better than stirred?
- What's the perfect drink for my next party?
- Is a Martini a drink or a brand?
- Does alcohol freeze?
Then you're in the right place at The Smirnoff Amateur Bartending Master
class
We have two workshops in Bangalore on the 27th and 28th of November. The
one on the 27th is the Smirnoff Mini Tastemaker Session and the one on
the 28th is the Smirnoff Regular Tastemaker Session. Take your pick.
Details below or online at www.tulleeho.com/tastemaker
Details:
27th November : Smirnoff Mini Tastemaker Session
Time: 2- 5 pm
Venue: F-Bar, Le Meridien Hotel, 28 Sankey Road
Session taken by: Shatbhi Basu
Charges:
Individual: Rs. 750/-
Group of 4 and more: Rs. 600/- per person
Your fee includes:
·The chance to make and sample upto 5 drinks
·A chance to learn from and interact with India's best beverage trainers
·High tea
·4 Smirnoff Twist miniatures (Citrus, Vanilla, Orange and Raspberry
flavoured vodka)
·3 Monin Bar syrup miniatures
·1 Smirnoff shot glass
·Handout & Certificate
28th November: Smirnoff Regular Tastemaker Session
Time: 12 - 6 pm
Venue: F-Bar, Le Meridien Hotel, 28 Sankey Road
Session taken by: Shatbhi Basu
Charges:
Individual: Rs. 1250/-
Group of 4 and more: Rs. 1000/- per person
Your fee includes:
·The chance to make and sample upto 10 drinks
·A chance to learn and interact with India's best beverage trainers
·Lunch
·4 Smirnoff Twist miniatures (Citrus, Vanilla, Orange and Raspberry
flavoured vodka)
.1 Smirnoff shot glass
·3 Monin Bar syrup miniatures
·Handout & Certificate
Do the math!
Log on to http://www.tulleeho.com/tastemaker for more details and online
registration. Mail us at tulleeho@tulleeho.com if you want any
clarifications and give us your phone number also if you want us to call
you - else call Vikram in Delhi @ 0 9810108644. Our seats fill up fast,
so register at the earliest.
We have also introduced online payment via a secure payment gateway.
Please forward this mail to friends who may be interested. You don't
drink alone, so why learn to bartend solo!
Tulleeho!
Vikram Achanta
Friday, October 29, 2004
Cinnabar Redd, Hyderabad
Located below Fusion 9 on Banjara Hills, Road No 1.
Restaurant and the attached bar are totally done up in Red silk, so the feel is quite regal and luxurious. Very cute tables in black wood, and cutlery in White ceramic. All in all a very comfy decor.
The restaurant offers Teppinyaki, Japanese, Thai and Chinese Food.
Afternoon set menu for 200 bucks allows u to chose a starter, soup, main course, rice or noodles and dessert from the Teppinyaki, Chinese or Thai menus. Desserts are of Anne Lise so they are of the same high standards that you can consistently expect from her. Date pancakes are worth trying out. and the Teppinyaki is a novel consept for Hyderabad.
Quite tasty but portions are limited and small. So Ohris Far East is a much better option for the same amount.
Restaurant and the attached bar are totally done up in Red silk, so the feel is quite regal and luxurious. Very cute tables in black wood, and cutlery in White ceramic. All in all a very comfy decor.
The restaurant offers Teppinyaki, Japanese, Thai and Chinese Food.
Afternoon set menu for 200 bucks allows u to chose a starter, soup, main course, rice or noodles and dessert from the Teppinyaki, Chinese or Thai menus. Desserts are of Anne Lise so they are of the same high standards that you can consistently expect from her. Date pancakes are worth trying out. and the Teppinyaki is a novel consept for Hyderabad.
Quite tasty but portions are limited and small. So Ohris Far East is a much better option for the same amount.
Thursday, October 7, 2004
10 Downing Street, Hyderabad
Ten Downing street
Lifestyle Complex
Begumpet
Hyderabad
040 5562 0015, 5562 9323
Ten Downing Street, has its regulars. And the owners and the loyalists have an all round sense of contentment. This is my kind of place. TDS is frequented by working professionals who want to unwind after a hard days work. Couple of call center parties do come here, then after awhile realise its not really their kinda place and drift away and restore the ambience to normal. This is a place you can go to when your boss has $@!~%d you over and TDS will welcome you & your tired, weary, minds and bodies.
The Décor is kind of like what an English study is pictured to be in the movies. Warm wooden panelling including on the floors. There's a small library at one corner which partly has genuine books and partly pasted prints of book spines. Some cool curios can be seen in some of the cabinets too. The central bar table where the bar tender mixes the cocktails is a good place to sit. The most coveted seating though is the slightly worn leather sofas just at the entrance.
BOB is 125 onwards. Their draught is quite good. A mug is 100, a pitcher is around 400. 60 ml hard liquor is 160 bucks. Accompanying mixer is 40 bucks. Heard a rumor that they don’t sell small pegs. Cocktails are rs 250 onwards. Tried the Whiskey Sour and the Screaming orgasm which would have been better with more alcohol content and less ice. But good never the less. The bloody mary was appreciated though.
No complimentary snacks, but some of his food is really good. Especially the meat balls. Definitely try this. The shepherds pie is out of this world, as is the pasta. The cook for the continental stuff is great but not so for the others. The chinese snacks are average. Thai curry to be avoided at all costs.
In the noons there's a total VFM offer. For 150 bucks you get a beer, a main course, soup and desert. This includes the shepherds pie option.
DJ Black Jack totally rocks. He knows what the regulars want him to play and he sticks to it. Look out for him on Tuesdays for sure. Wednesdays is Ladies night. Ladies get beer, hard spirits and a choice of 3 cocktails absolutely free from 8-10pm. Thursdays is Karaoke night and theres some pretty good talent around. Sometimes you get a guest DJ who wants to play out his collection, but the crowd always manages to bring the DJ back on track.
If you are in the 25-45 age group and looking for a chilled out place to relax, look no further. Teeny boppers who have started addressing me as aunty/maam, please avoid this place. Ive found my sanctuary in Hyderabad, please don’t attempt to disturb it.
Lifestyle Complex
Begumpet
Hyderabad
040 5562 0015, 5562 9323
Ten Downing Street, has its regulars. And the owners and the loyalists have an all round sense of contentment. This is my kind of place. TDS is frequented by working professionals who want to unwind after a hard days work. Couple of call center parties do come here, then after awhile realise its not really their kinda place and drift away and restore the ambience to normal. This is a place you can go to when your boss has $@!~%d you over and TDS will welcome you & your tired, weary, minds and bodies.
The Décor is kind of like what an English study is pictured to be in the movies. Warm wooden panelling including on the floors. There's a small library at one corner which partly has genuine books and partly pasted prints of book spines. Some cool curios can be seen in some of the cabinets too. The central bar table where the bar tender mixes the cocktails is a good place to sit. The most coveted seating though is the slightly worn leather sofas just at the entrance.
BOB is 125 onwards. Their draught is quite good. A mug is 100, a pitcher is around 400. 60 ml hard liquor is 160 bucks. Accompanying mixer is 40 bucks. Heard a rumor that they don’t sell small pegs. Cocktails are rs 250 onwards. Tried the Whiskey Sour and the Screaming orgasm which would have been better with more alcohol content and less ice. But good never the less. The bloody mary was appreciated though.
No complimentary snacks, but some of his food is really good. Especially the meat balls. Definitely try this. The shepherds pie is out of this world, as is the pasta. The cook for the continental stuff is great but not so for the others. The chinese snacks are average. Thai curry to be avoided at all costs.
In the noons there's a total VFM offer. For 150 bucks you get a beer, a main course, soup and desert. This includes the shepherds pie option.
DJ Black Jack totally rocks. He knows what the regulars want him to play and he sticks to it. Look out for him on Tuesdays for sure. Wednesdays is Ladies night. Ladies get beer, hard spirits and a choice of 3 cocktails absolutely free from 8-10pm. Thursdays is Karaoke night and theres some pretty good talent around. Sometimes you get a guest DJ who wants to play out his collection, but the crowd always manages to bring the DJ back on track.
If you are in the 25-45 age group and looking for a chilled out place to relax, look no further. Teeny boppers who have started addressing me as aunty/maam, please avoid this place. Ive found my sanctuary in Hyderabad, please don’t attempt to disturb it.
Monday, August 16, 2004
Lautre, Hyderabad
Life Style Building
Begumpet
Bob : 0.75
Decided to assemble at Lautre before hitting 10 Downing where it sometimes gets too crowded to locate your friends. Didn’t stay here too long so can just about list the pros and cons :
Pros :
Excellent food. The oriental prawns are amazing for their size and the price. Music is soft rock sometimes graduating to hard rock. It isn't crowded.
Cons :
It has no crowd !!!
The seating is like a mess hall with better seats and dimmed lights.
The tables are soooo HUGE.
So this is what I surmised. Well, I mentioned before, we didn’t spend too much time here... Actually the poor owner just can't seem to strike the right balance. He seems confused as to whether he wants to serve gourmet food, have a relaxed lounge or a rocking pub. If he improves the lighting a bit, I think this place could become one of the best lounges around in the true sense of the word. A place you can relax with good food in your tracks or sweats.
Getting to the rates, they are quite reasonably priced. But after partying in Delhi, the whole of Hyderabad seems reasonably priced. BOB is 75 to 120 depending on the brand. Rum is 65 for Old Monk and 75 for Bacardi 30ml. The cocktails range from 175 to 250. Food is very reasonably priced. They serve an afternoon buffet for 150/- which also doesn’t have too many takers. But it's better to order a la carte than try the buffet which is not always excellent or so I heard.
http://www.tulleeho.com/bc/bar.asp?ID=268&City=Hyderabad
Begumpet
Bob : 0.75
Decided to assemble at Lautre before hitting 10 Downing where it sometimes gets too crowded to locate your friends. Didn’t stay here too long so can just about list the pros and cons :
Pros :
Excellent food. The oriental prawns are amazing for their size and the price. Music is soft rock sometimes graduating to hard rock. It isn't crowded.
Cons :
It has no crowd !!!
The seating is like a mess hall with better seats and dimmed lights.
The tables are soooo HUGE.
So this is what I surmised. Well, I mentioned before, we didn’t spend too much time here... Actually the poor owner just can't seem to strike the right balance. He seems confused as to whether he wants to serve gourmet food, have a relaxed lounge or a rocking pub. If he improves the lighting a bit, I think this place could become one of the best lounges around in the true sense of the word. A place you can relax with good food in your tracks or sweats.
Getting to the rates, they are quite reasonably priced. But after partying in Delhi, the whole of Hyderabad seems reasonably priced. BOB is 75 to 120 depending on the brand. Rum is 65 for Old Monk and 75 for Bacardi 30ml. The cocktails range from 175 to 250. Food is very reasonably priced. They serve an afternoon buffet for 150/- which also doesn’t have too many takers. But it's better to order a la carte than try the buffet which is not always excellent or so I heard.
http://www.tulleeho.com/bc/bar.asp?ID=268&City=Hyderabad
Thursday, July 22, 2004
Underdeck, Hyderabad
Under Deck
Taj Banjara
Rd No. 1
Banjara Hills
Hyderabad - 500 034
Ph : 040 5566 9999
The whole place is designed to give you a nautical feel. As you descend the stairs and even before you enter the pub, the flooring is covered with the same metal plates that the deck of a ship is. A few well placed lifebuoys and other props at the entrance just emphasise the name. The inside of the pub has a nice rich wooden panelling all over. This pub is a little on the smaller side but the décor is really cool if you are looking for a place with a difference. Although I can tell you that none of the ships that I have been on has interiors anything like this pub but then again, who cares ?
They have a live band playing there quite often. Music is normally good recognisable, lyrical music. Not the trance, house rubbish you get at the so called "hapenning" places. They have karaoke nites sometimes and the junta that comes up to sing is normally really good. Lots of firang and expat crowd here. Mostly the people put up @ the hotel. But the atmosphere is quite chilled and relaxed. Jeans and t-shirt is more than acceptable here as are sandals for the guys. So banish the thought of a stuffy 5 star pub.
Rates are ok. BOB is 100 to 160 depending on size and brand. Cocktails are classified into the 275 / 295 and 325 categories. Didn't try any, so wouldn't comment. Old Monk is 125 and Bacardi is 150. Prices go upto 2500 for a peg of blue label. Complementary popcorn and nuts are served in good quantities with the drinks. Their snacks are quite yummy too.
The staff dressed in white with sailor scarves is very polite and obliging altho its sometimes difficult to catch their eye once the crowd increases.
Decent place especially for winding down at the end of a weekend on Sunday nite, or even mid week relaxation.
Taj Banjara
Rd No. 1
Banjara Hills
Hyderabad - 500 034
Ph : 040 5566 9999
The whole place is designed to give you a nautical feel. As you descend the stairs and even before you enter the pub, the flooring is covered with the same metal plates that the deck of a ship is. A few well placed lifebuoys and other props at the entrance just emphasise the name. The inside of the pub has a nice rich wooden panelling all over. This pub is a little on the smaller side but the décor is really cool if you are looking for a place with a difference. Although I can tell you that none of the ships that I have been on has interiors anything like this pub but then again, who cares ?
They have a live band playing there quite often. Music is normally good recognisable, lyrical music. Not the trance, house rubbish you get at the so called "hapenning" places. They have karaoke nites sometimes and the junta that comes up to sing is normally really good. Lots of firang and expat crowd here. Mostly the people put up @ the hotel. But the atmosphere is quite chilled and relaxed. Jeans and t-shirt is more than acceptable here as are sandals for the guys. So banish the thought of a stuffy 5 star pub.
Rates are ok. BOB is 100 to 160 depending on size and brand. Cocktails are classified into the 275 / 295 and 325 categories. Didn't try any, so wouldn't comment. Old Monk is 125 and Bacardi is 150. Prices go upto 2500 for a peg of blue label. Complementary popcorn and nuts are served in good quantities with the drinks. Their snacks are quite yummy too.
The staff dressed in white with sailor scarves is very polite and obliging altho its sometimes difficult to catch their eye once the crowd increases.
Decent place especially for winding down at the end of a weekend on Sunday nite, or even mid week relaxation.
Sunday, March 24, 2002
Windsor Pub, Bangalore
7 Kodava Samaj Building,
1st Main, Vasanthnagar
Ph : 2258847
The seating and ambience is like Tom's but homelier. (Maybe because of the smaller area, but you kind of get the feeling of being in the drawing room of a house shared by a few bachelors). The cashier doubles as the CJ (Casette Jockey). Music is close to Pecos in taste and a 5 star restaurant in volume. Audible but not ear-threatening. Chairs are for sitting, tables are for resting your glasses, plates and bottles.
A whole lot of MIT (as in Manipal not Massachusettes) alumni haunt this place. Total relaxed mood prevails, no false facades, no minimalistic outfits except of course the bermudas sported by most of the clientele. 4 of us shared a pitcher + 2 mugs of beer (they do not offer any other alcohol... like pecos) + 4 steaks + 2 desserts + 2 xtra orders of garlic bread + an iced tea. The bill came up to about Rs.750/- They have some excellent kerala style sea food dishes and the steaks here are great. A relaxed evening would involve getting out of your business casuals and into your lounging clothes and hawai chappals. Get on your 2 wheeled thunder and rip across to Windsor Pub. Do not forget to leave your cell phone at home. Have 2 beers while the highlights of the days match plays on the TV screen so close as to let you feel i'ts is your own private TV. Finish with a steak of your choice and garlic bread. Mmmm.... Heaven on earth.
http://www.tulleeho.com/bc/bar.asp?ID=176&City=Bangalore
1st Main, Vasanthnagar
Ph : 2258847
The seating and ambience is like Tom's but homelier. (Maybe because of the smaller area, but you kind of get the feeling of being in the drawing room of a house shared by a few bachelors). The cashier doubles as the CJ (Casette Jockey). Music is close to Pecos in taste and a 5 star restaurant in volume. Audible but not ear-threatening. Chairs are for sitting, tables are for resting your glasses, plates and bottles.
A whole lot of MIT (as in Manipal not Massachusettes) alumni haunt this place. Total relaxed mood prevails, no false facades, no minimalistic outfits except of course the bermudas sported by most of the clientele. 4 of us shared a pitcher + 2 mugs of beer (they do not offer any other alcohol... like pecos) + 4 steaks + 2 desserts + 2 xtra orders of garlic bread + an iced tea. The bill came up to about Rs.750/- They have some excellent kerala style sea food dishes and the steaks here are great. A relaxed evening would involve getting out of your business casuals and into your lounging clothes and hawai chappals. Get on your 2 wheeled thunder and rip across to Windsor Pub. Do not forget to leave your cell phone at home. Have 2 beers while the highlights of the days match plays on the TV screen so close as to let you feel i'ts is your own private TV. Finish with a steak of your choice and garlic bread. Mmmm.... Heaven on earth.
http://www.tulleeho.com/bc/bar.asp?ID=176&City=Bangalore
Tuesday, February 12, 2002
Insomnia, Bangalore
Le Meridien
28 Sankey Road
Bangalore 52
Ph :2262233, 22682828
This week saw the launch of Insomnia, Bangalore's first disc within city limits. Current permission for them to operate is 1am. Since everything else in Bangalore is forced to close down by 11am. This place is gonna be rockin.
They are positioning themselves as "the exclusive Cocktail Lounge-cum night club" . Launched by DJ Asad, the place has a good night-clubby feel about it. And it is definitely gonna be exclusive as they are charging membership to enter their hallowed trio of halls. A couple membership will set you back 40G's, a single male will have to shell out 25k and a single woman a measly 10k. Please note that this is this years annual membership fee. Management reserves right to increase membership fee at any point of time. Only members can get entry once the club starts functioning at full speed. And of course you may take your friends along. How many takers they will have......"lets wait and see".
The music is good as you have one of the top DJ's of Bangalore running the show. Atmosphere is cool too, the cocktail lounge is upstairs. Really well spread out. As you move downstairs there's another bar with seating arrangement for another couple of people who like their music loud enough to discourage conversations across the table and a sunken dancefloor.
Neat set up. Good balance. At least that's what it looks like now. As yesterday was the launch, and everything was on the house, I have no clue about their pricing. Will get back to you guys about this.
If their place really sets Bangalore afire it will be because of their extended hours of partying capability. Check it out in the next 15 days unless you have a friend who is definitely going to take a membership. Then you can pile on to him/her to take you along any time.
http://www.tulleeho.com/bc/bar.asp?ID=200&City=Bangalore
28 Sankey Road
Bangalore 52
Ph :2262233, 22682828
This week saw the launch of Insomnia, Bangalore's first disc within city limits. Current permission for them to operate is 1am. Since everything else in Bangalore is forced to close down by 11am. This place is gonna be rockin.
They are positioning themselves as "the exclusive Cocktail Lounge-cum night club" . Launched by DJ Asad, the place has a good night-clubby feel about it. And it is definitely gonna be exclusive as they are charging membership to enter their hallowed trio of halls. A couple membership will set you back 40G's, a single male will have to shell out 25k and a single woman a measly 10k. Please note that this is this years annual membership fee. Management reserves right to increase membership fee at any point of time. Only members can get entry once the club starts functioning at full speed. And of course you may take your friends along. How many takers they will have......"lets wait and see".
The music is good as you have one of the top DJ's of Bangalore running the show. Atmosphere is cool too, the cocktail lounge is upstairs. Really well spread out. As you move downstairs there's another bar with seating arrangement for another couple of people who like their music loud enough to discourage conversations across the table and a sunken dancefloor.
Neat set up. Good balance. At least that's what it looks like now. As yesterday was the launch, and everything was on the house, I have no clue about their pricing. Will get back to you guys about this.
If their place really sets Bangalore afire it will be because of their extended hours of partying capability. Check it out in the next 15 days unless you have a friend who is definitely going to take a membership. Then you can pile on to him/her to take you along any time.
http://www.tulleeho.com/bc/bar.asp?ID=200&City=Bangalore
Wednesday, December 19, 2001
Hunt Bar, Nagpur
The Hunt Bar
Hotel Tuli International
I must confess that this only bar that I was taken to in Nagpur was a huge eye opener for me. Comfortably cushioned chairs with enough space to curl up on your individual chair (after those little itsy bitsy pieces that pass off for chairs in Bangalore's pubs) . Muted lighting that was neither harsh on the eyes nor forced your pupils to alternatively contract/dilate because of the ever changing intensity. Well airconditioned. Muted hindi ghazals (the crowning factor) wooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhh what an experience!!
Drinking in Nagpur is quite reasonable so I'm guessing prices aren't too high. One thing nice about being a woman is that friends (male) you are meeting for the first time offer to buy you drinks. (this doesn't last too long though when they realise the quantity they are going to have to pay for ).
So I wasn't allowed to look at the menu. Complimentary nuts and chips were provided with bowls being constantly refilled. The setting was meant for Rum&Cokes so didn't even venture to try the cocktails. Crowd was sparse, so lots of breathing room. The few executives venturing to do business in Nagpur normally find themselves here at the end of an evening. Be prepared to see a couple of firangs around.
Service was non intrusive and pleasant
Hotel Tuli International
I must confess that this only bar that I was taken to in Nagpur was a huge eye opener for me. Comfortably cushioned chairs with enough space to curl up on your individual chair (after those little itsy bitsy pieces that pass off for chairs in Bangalore's pubs) . Muted lighting that was neither harsh on the eyes nor forced your pupils to alternatively contract/dilate because of the ever changing intensity. Well airconditioned. Muted hindi ghazals (the crowning factor) wooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhh what an experience!!
Drinking in Nagpur is quite reasonable so I'm guessing prices aren't too high. One thing nice about being a woman is that friends (male) you are meeting for the first time offer to buy you drinks. (this doesn't last too long though when they realise the quantity they are going to have to pay for ).
So I wasn't allowed to look at the menu. Complimentary nuts and chips were provided with bowls being constantly refilled. The setting was meant for Rum&Cokes so didn't even venture to try the cocktails. Crowd was sparse, so lots of breathing room. The few executives venturing to do business in Nagpur normally find themselves here at the end of an evening. Be prepared to see a couple of firangs around.
Service was non intrusive and pleasant
Saturday, November 3, 2001
Sparks, Bangalore
133, Raheja Chancery
Brigade Road, Opp. All Saints Bakery
Ph : 223 0306
BoB : 1.4
In my opinion Sparks is the best of the 3 joints that opened together around the same area. The other 2 being Urban Edge and Mars 2211. Sparks has one of the best lighting effects that I have seen in a Bangalore pub. Some really cool pyrotechnics happen with their lighting system. Not being an engineer I cannot give you more technical details, but believe me those lights are a real trip once u r on a high. Its a milder version of watching jalwa on a high. (the original jalwa not this digen $^!!ty verma remix)
The music, totally depends on their theme or DJ for the day. I have gone there on the 70's 80's flashback nite and the music was out of this world. I have been there on the Caribeean night and they had good rockin reggae and R&B kind of music. Some tribal nite they had this really lousy stuff, which the much hyped DJ Ivan kept talking of as "Listen to the tribal music" "Swing to the tribal music" "rock to the tribal music" every 10 mins. It was like the public around would definitely not mistake that stuff for tribal music, but because DJ Ivan says its tribal music and keeps re-inforcing it, then it must be so.
In short, take a quick peek, if u don't like the first 2 songs you hear, then leave the place and go somewhere else. You are not going to like any music over the rest of the evening at Sparks. Believe me.
Drinks are higher priced. Cocktails are between 180/- and 360/- The cointreau was ok, except for the grenadine light overload. BOB is about 1.4. Their snacks are decent. Check out the Fish Fingers. As their ad says "Wicked Lighting & music to wake up the spirits." Just chose the day when the music is to your taste.
Mondays - Rock
Tuesdays - Retro
Thursdays - Reggae & R&B
Fridays - DJ Ivan & friends.
http://www.tulleeho.com/bc/bar.asp?ID=186&City=Bangalore
Brigade Road, Opp. All Saints Bakery
Ph : 223 0306
BoB : 1.4
In my opinion Sparks is the best of the 3 joints that opened together around the same area. The other 2 being Urban Edge and Mars 2211. Sparks has one of the best lighting effects that I have seen in a Bangalore pub. Some really cool pyrotechnics happen with their lighting system. Not being an engineer I cannot give you more technical details, but believe me those lights are a real trip once u r on a high. Its a milder version of watching jalwa on a high. (the original jalwa not this digen $^!!ty verma remix)
The music, totally depends on their theme or DJ for the day. I have gone there on the 70's 80's flashback nite and the music was out of this world. I have been there on the Caribeean night and they had good rockin reggae and R&B kind of music. Some tribal nite they had this really lousy stuff, which the much hyped DJ Ivan kept talking of as "Listen to the tribal music" "Swing to the tribal music" "rock to the tribal music" every 10 mins. It was like the public around would definitely not mistake that stuff for tribal music, but because DJ Ivan says its tribal music and keeps re-inforcing it, then it must be so.
In short, take a quick peek, if u don't like the first 2 songs you hear, then leave the place and go somewhere else. You are not going to like any music over the rest of the evening at Sparks. Believe me.
Drinks are higher priced. Cocktails are between 180/- and 360/- The cointreau was ok, except for the grenadine light overload. BOB is about 1.4. Their snacks are decent. Check out the Fish Fingers. As their ad says "Wicked Lighting & music to wake up the spirits." Just chose the day when the music is to your taste.
Mondays - Rock
Tuesdays - Retro
Thursdays - Reggae & R&B
Fridays - DJ Ivan & friends.
http://www.tulleeho.com/bc/bar.asp?ID=186&City=Bangalore
Tuesday, September 18, 2001
TGIF, Bangalore
1 Carlton Tower,
Airport Road.
Phone : 5210570 / 5210571
Timings : 11am - 11pm
Bob : 1.5
TGIF is one of the couple of new pubs that have opened recently in Bangalore. Decided to check it out, having had a reasonably good experience of the TGIF in Chicago and in Delhi.
D‚cor is the standard TGIF stuff, with the propeller and the dollar bill on it signed by all the employees present at the opening of the pub. The propeller in Bangalore had a dollar bill, a 100 rupee bill and another note that I could not identify (definitely not due to the alcoholic contents of my cocktails). The bell and other stuff was supposed to be around but couldn’t see it too well because of this red lighting that they had. There is a huge karaoke screen too for those who are enthu enuff to want to exhibit their vocal talent or those who are too drunk to bother about their lack of it.
BOB varies between 1 to 1.5 depending on which brand that you want to try. Be warned though, there is a steep import tax on foreign brands. TGIF’s has a wonderful array of cocktails just begging to be tried until you read the fine print and realise that at Rs300/- + 63% import tax + 10.5% sales tax, tulleho wouldn’t be reimbursing you the cost of even a single cocktail at its current rates.
The food is bad. Do not go here if you are feeling peckish/hungry, you would be better off grabbing a couple of rolls at Fanoos in Johnson market before you arrive. The chicken wings were spicier at the US outlets than in the Bangalore branch. Their food was blander than the stuff I have tasted at the Goa beach shacks, which cater to exclusively foreign clientele.
Crowd is varied. Quite a few westerners, a couple of high-flying, suited-booted executives winding down after a hard days work, a couple of rich spoilt brats gloriously unrecognisable in their holi ka gulaal, even saw a couple of school kids in their uniforms celebrating the end of exams (not too sure about what they were drinking though).
I ordered a desi pina colada (the 63% tax remember) and it was like a slush rather than a cocktail. They had put in some kind of dessicated coconut as an extremely poor substitute for coconut milk and my drink was 98% finely crushed ice. I guess they try to freeze the drinkers tongue to cover up for the lack of potency.
They had this huge sign saying “Try Dad’s original root beer” and a couple of other posters marketing its low calorie value. But all our requests for a dads root beer were turned down as not being available. Why advertise a drink if you don’t stock it ?
TGIF is supposedly open from 11 to 11. I do not think the afternoon break to serving alcohol applies to these guys. They have happy hours from 4 to 7 I guess, but am not too sre about this. Happy hours are on a 2 for one basis but not all drinks are available for this scheme.
My advice would be not to go to this place unless you have money to burn or have a friend or colleague who owes you a treat. Too damn expensive as a drinking joint in Bangalore where VFM (Value 4 money) is expected by most inhabitants.
http://www.tulleeho.com/bc/bar.asp?ID=142&City=Bangalore
Airport Road.
Phone : 5210570 / 5210571
Timings : 11am - 11pm
Bob : 1.5
TGIF is one of the couple of new pubs that have opened recently in Bangalore. Decided to check it out, having had a reasonably good experience of the TGIF in Chicago and in Delhi.
D‚cor is the standard TGIF stuff, with the propeller and the dollar bill on it signed by all the employees present at the opening of the pub. The propeller in Bangalore had a dollar bill, a 100 rupee bill and another note that I could not identify (definitely not due to the alcoholic contents of my cocktails). The bell and other stuff was supposed to be around but couldn’t see it too well because of this red lighting that they had. There is a huge karaoke screen too for those who are enthu enuff to want to exhibit their vocal talent or those who are too drunk to bother about their lack of it.
BOB varies between 1 to 1.5 depending on which brand that you want to try. Be warned though, there is a steep import tax on foreign brands. TGIF’s has a wonderful array of cocktails just begging to be tried until you read the fine print and realise that at Rs300/- + 63% import tax + 10.5% sales tax, tulleho wouldn’t be reimbursing you the cost of even a single cocktail at its current rates.
The food is bad. Do not go here if you are feeling peckish/hungry, you would be better off grabbing a couple of rolls at Fanoos in Johnson market before you arrive. The chicken wings were spicier at the US outlets than in the Bangalore branch. Their food was blander than the stuff I have tasted at the Goa beach shacks, which cater to exclusively foreign clientele.
Crowd is varied. Quite a few westerners, a couple of high-flying, suited-booted executives winding down after a hard days work, a couple of rich spoilt brats gloriously unrecognisable in their holi ka gulaal, even saw a couple of school kids in their uniforms celebrating the end of exams (not too sure about what they were drinking though).
I ordered a desi pina colada (the 63% tax remember) and it was like a slush rather than a cocktail. They had put in some kind of dessicated coconut as an extremely poor substitute for coconut milk and my drink was 98% finely crushed ice. I guess they try to freeze the drinkers tongue to cover up for the lack of potency.
They had this huge sign saying “Try Dad’s original root beer” and a couple of other posters marketing its low calorie value. But all our requests for a dads root beer were turned down as not being available. Why advertise a drink if you don’t stock it ?
TGIF is supposedly open from 11 to 11. I do not think the afternoon break to serving alcohol applies to these guys. They have happy hours from 4 to 7 I guess, but am not too sre about this. Happy hours are on a 2 for one basis but not all drinks are available for this scheme.
My advice would be not to go to this place unless you have money to burn or have a friend or colleague who owes you a treat. Too damn expensive as a drinking joint in Bangalore where VFM (Value 4 money) is expected by most inhabitants.
http://www.tulleeho.com/bc/bar.asp?ID=142&City=Bangalore
Monday, August 27, 2001
Black Cadillac, Bangalore
Cha Che Towers,
50 Residency Road.
Located in Cha Che Towers. Same place as the White Dwarf. Opposite Purple Haze & Zapp. How many more landmarks do you want ???? Having entered Bangalore lately, I haven't seen BC in its previous avataar, so someone else might like to elaborate on that. But they have supposedly gone in for a revamp (which was why it had been closed 4 eternity, or what felt like it). It is located in the basement of chache towers (now isn't there some legislation against that in Bangalore city????)
As you walk in, the blue lighting hits you and so does the smell of food. Have you entered a pub or a restaurant you think as it looks more like a garden restaurant than a snazzy pub. Then you go inside where you do get the pubby feel (if u get wot i mean) And then you also have the option of moving outside into the open air. aah heaven !!! not to be clogged down by cigarette smoke!!!. There are these broken up vintage cars postioned along the wall. But they don't distract you for too long from the eyesore of the peeling paint of the rest of the building in whose basement BC is located. Music is good. Mostly retro, but now, they do ease in to crowd demand once-in-a-way and play the noise that passes off as music these days.
BOB is between .7 for an ice beer and 1.1 for others. Rum is about 70 for old monk and 75 for bacardi. The kababs weren't too good so I wouldn't recommend snacking here. Instead of being tender and juicy, they seemed encrusted in something resembling chinese rather than indian cooking. The raja special wasn't good either. So don't eat @ this place. No complimentary snacks. Snacks range between 75 - 200.
This piece wouldn't be complete till I share the PJ's about their washrooms. The gents room says "Elton John" and the Ladies says "Olivia Newton John". Nice place to relax when you want to go to a hip joint where u don't have to feel ashamed of your age or figure because of the over-abundance of anorexic 15+s .
Published on www.tulleeho.com in 2001
http://www.tulleeho.com/bc/bar.asp?ID=172&City=Bangalore
50 Residency Road.
Located in Cha Che Towers. Same place as the White Dwarf. Opposite Purple Haze & Zapp. How many more landmarks do you want ???? Having entered Bangalore lately, I haven't seen BC in its previous avataar, so someone else might like to elaborate on that. But they have supposedly gone in for a revamp (which was why it had been closed 4 eternity, or what felt like it). It is located in the basement of chache towers (now isn't there some legislation against that in Bangalore city????)
As you walk in, the blue lighting hits you and so does the smell of food. Have you entered a pub or a restaurant you think as it looks more like a garden restaurant than a snazzy pub. Then you go inside where you do get the pubby feel (if u get wot i mean) And then you also have the option of moving outside into the open air. aah heaven !!! not to be clogged down by cigarette smoke!!!. There are these broken up vintage cars postioned along the wall. But they don't distract you for too long from the eyesore of the peeling paint of the rest of the building in whose basement BC is located. Music is good. Mostly retro, but now, they do ease in to crowd demand once-in-a-way and play the noise that passes off as music these days.
BOB is between .7 for an ice beer and 1.1 for others. Rum is about 70 for old monk and 75 for bacardi. The kababs weren't too good so I wouldn't recommend snacking here. Instead of being tender and juicy, they seemed encrusted in something resembling chinese rather than indian cooking. The raja special wasn't good either. So don't eat @ this place. No complimentary snacks. Snacks range between 75 - 200.
This piece wouldn't be complete till I share the PJ's about their washrooms. The gents room says "Elton John" and the Ladies says "Olivia Newton John". Nice place to relax when you want to go to a hip joint where u don't have to feel ashamed of your age or figure because of the over-abundance of anorexic 15+s .
Published on www.tulleeho.com in 2001
http://www.tulleeho.com/bc/bar.asp?ID=172&City=Bangalore
Sunday, July 29, 2001
Zapp, Bangalore
Below Purple Haze
Residency Road
Remember the discoesque thing that Purple Haze had opened on its first floor called Funky Town ??? Well its been given a makeover and is called "Zapp" in its new avataar. Going by the success of all the retro nites in this pub city, the owners decided that this pub would only play retro stuff. Music is ultra cool for all the yuppies who no longer can understand the stuff played in pubs on "regular" days. Total jiveable, danceable numbers. They do not yet have a video collection as good as Purple Haze itself, but u can c the beginnings of it. They play the videos of whatever song is playing. See the similarity with Purple Haze as opposed to Urban Edge where he plays anything and passes it off for music while "Tom & Jerry" cavort on the big screen.The DJ is accomodating with requests but not about playing after 11:00PM.
Seating is warm and cozy. As the volume isn't ear-drum blasting it is possible to carry on a conversation with some effort (that is if you aren't jiving away on the floor). They have these little cabins along the wall and tables down the center. The dance floor is 70's style with lights on the floor that throw their beams upwards. Food is decent : we had some chicken tikkas and some other stuff. MOB is Rs80/- BOB depends on the brand. Cocktails were 150 onwards. The coconut daiquiri was good, the pina colada a little too sweet but ok. This pub opened on the 27th of July and hasn't really promoted itself too well, so it is relatively undiscovered. Give it a couple of weeks and it will evolve into a hipper Catholic Club without the price discounts on alcohol.
http://www.tulleeho.com/bc/bar.asp?ID=177&City=Bangalore
Residency Road
Remember the discoesque thing that Purple Haze had opened on its first floor called Funky Town ??? Well its been given a makeover and is called "Zapp" in its new avataar. Going by the success of all the retro nites in this pub city, the owners decided that this pub would only play retro stuff. Music is ultra cool for all the yuppies who no longer can understand the stuff played in pubs on "regular" days. Total jiveable, danceable numbers. They do not yet have a video collection as good as Purple Haze itself, but u can c the beginnings of it. They play the videos of whatever song is playing. See the similarity with Purple Haze as opposed to Urban Edge where he plays anything and passes it off for music while "Tom & Jerry" cavort on the big screen.The DJ is accomodating with requests but not about playing after 11:00PM.
Seating is warm and cozy. As the volume isn't ear-drum blasting it is possible to carry on a conversation with some effort (that is if you aren't jiving away on the floor). They have these little cabins along the wall and tables down the center. The dance floor is 70's style with lights on the floor that throw their beams upwards. Food is decent : we had some chicken tikkas and some other stuff. MOB is Rs80/- BOB depends on the brand. Cocktails were 150 onwards. The coconut daiquiri was good, the pina colada a little too sweet but ok. This pub opened on the 27th of July and hasn't really promoted itself too well, so it is relatively undiscovered. Give it a couple of weeks and it will evolve into a hipper Catholic Club without the price discounts on alcohol.
http://www.tulleeho.com/bc/bar.asp?ID=177&City=Bangalore
Saturday, June 30, 2001
Opium, Bangalore
Carlton Towers
Behind TGIF
Airport Road
Ok, that Behind TGIF, is soon going to change to "TGIF is in the same complex as Opium u know". Yes Opium is opening on the 4th of July and I think the owner has something going here. There's some connection with the ownership of Purple Haze out here.
Opium is built on the lines of the Lounge Bars that have been gaining popularity in Mumbai. They have these sofas and really comfortable seating areas on one side. Chairs in the middle, and a huge bar at the other end. The lighting and paintings are supposed to represent dawn to dusk, so the sofa area is well lit up and this gradually darkens down till you reach the bar. The floor has these little lights in between. Kind of silvery walls. I felt it had a quality of understated chic and elegance.
The first thing u see as you enter is the DJ console located just at the entrance but way above it. Constant scrutiny still didn't help me identify how he ever got into that little way-up section -- there didn't seem to be a particular entry/exit point to get into that console. Final analysis: he uses a ladder to climb into that cubby hole of his, and then the ladder is taken away so he remains out-of-bounds for the rest of the evening.
This same guy is opening an open air restaurant next to Opium and an Indian restaurant next to that, so we were kind of sampling everything. If you ever go here, do have their Chocolate Mousse its better than anything i've tasted anywhere. As we were not shown a menu card, I am not too sure of the rates. But he said they would be commensurate with those of Sparks, Urban Edge and Mars 2211.
Music was decent and played at a reasonable decibel level. Try their chinese crispy fried vegetables. Their cocktails are also good. Well blended. Definitely worth a try.
http://www.tulleeho.com/bc/bar.asp?ID=171&City=Bangalore
Later changed my opinion, their food isnt good at all. Its this night n day kind of decor. N they no longer put in as much rum in the mousse as they did on the first day. "People Complained" or so they say
Behind TGIF
Airport Road
Ok, that Behind TGIF, is soon going to change to "TGIF is in the same complex as Opium u know". Yes Opium is opening on the 4th of July and I think the owner has something going here. There's some connection with the ownership of Purple Haze out here.
Opium is built on the lines of the Lounge Bars that have been gaining popularity in Mumbai. They have these sofas and really comfortable seating areas on one side. Chairs in the middle, and a huge bar at the other end. The lighting and paintings are supposed to represent dawn to dusk, so the sofa area is well lit up and this gradually darkens down till you reach the bar. The floor has these little lights in between. Kind of silvery walls. I felt it had a quality of understated chic and elegance.
The first thing u see as you enter is the DJ console located just at the entrance but way above it. Constant scrutiny still didn't help me identify how he ever got into that little way-up section -- there didn't seem to be a particular entry/exit point to get into that console. Final analysis: he uses a ladder to climb into that cubby hole of his, and then the ladder is taken away so he remains out-of-bounds for the rest of the evening.
This same guy is opening an open air restaurant next to Opium and an Indian restaurant next to that, so we were kind of sampling everything. If you ever go here, do have their Chocolate Mousse its better than anything i've tasted anywhere. As we were not shown a menu card, I am not too sure of the rates. But he said they would be commensurate with those of Sparks, Urban Edge and Mars 2211.
Music was decent and played at a reasonable decibel level. Try their chinese crispy fried vegetables. Their cocktails are also good. Well blended. Definitely worth a try.
http://www.tulleeho.com/bc/bar.asp?ID=171&City=Bangalore
Later changed my opinion, their food isnt good at all. Its this night n day kind of decor. N they no longer put in as much rum in the mousse as they did on the first day. "People Complained" or so they say
Thursday, June 21, 2001
Cosmo Village, Bangalore
Midway between Shoppers Stop and Brigade Road.
Nice quiet joint. In the early days (2-3 years back) they used to have these really comfy sofas where you could put your feet up (literally), sample some fusion cuisine and enjoy your drink. The low lit, no music blasting kind of place.
Although Cosmo has gone in for 3 new looks for its 3 floors, the music is still at a pleasant decibel level, the waiters still courteous. and the ambience is still something out of a 60's Hollywood flick. At least at the terrace level.
The terrace level is something like the 180 Proof garden in a way. With individual sofas and an eclectic yet comfy feel about it. Of the other 2 levels, one reminded me of the 180 ft restaurant in Indiranagar. The other was comfy sofas in an air conditioned room. The terrace level's my favourite because of the added open air advantage.
Drinks are about a 100 bucks a peg. CD's are 20-25 bucks extra. Snacks are in the 100-250 range. They serve good dinner too. So if you want to make a meal of Khau Sway or a similar single dish meal after you are done with the liquid refreshments, then this is a nice place to go to.
Ideal for a casual, open yet intimate kind of evening.
http://www.tulleeho.com/bc/bar.asp?ID=210&City=Bangalore
Nice quiet joint. In the early days (2-3 years back) they used to have these really comfy sofas where you could put your feet up (literally), sample some fusion cuisine and enjoy your drink. The low lit, no music blasting kind of place.
Although Cosmo has gone in for 3 new looks for its 3 floors, the music is still at a pleasant decibel level, the waiters still courteous. and the ambience is still something out of a 60's Hollywood flick. At least at the terrace level.
The terrace level is something like the 180 Proof garden in a way. With individual sofas and an eclectic yet comfy feel about it. Of the other 2 levels, one reminded me of the 180 ft restaurant in Indiranagar. The other was comfy sofas in an air conditioned room. The terrace level's my favourite because of the added open air advantage.
Drinks are about a 100 bucks a peg. CD's are 20-25 bucks extra. Snacks are in the 100-250 range. They serve good dinner too. So if you want to make a meal of Khau Sway or a similar single dish meal after you are done with the liquid refreshments, then this is a nice place to go to.
Ideal for a casual, open yet intimate kind of evening.
http://www.tulleeho.com/bc/bar.asp?ID=210&City=Bangalore
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