A ceramic tiled bar with stainless steel racks may remind you of the 90s Bollywood movie set. By Jigyasu Joshi
Apart from watching the popular Mumbai chawls in Hindi films, we’ve never had a first-hand feel unless we have been a true-blue Mumbaikar. But recently we didn’t just visit one but also had our food there, that too in Delhi. ConfusedIJ Well, Social has finally opened its much-awaited themed outlet in Cyber Hub, Gurgaon. Designed in the Mumbai-esque chawl grammar, we stepped into a labyrinth of endless corridors leading to smaller cubicles or kholis, which can double up as working spaces too, that eventually gave way to the gigantic bar. With a ceramic tiled counter and stainless steel racks, this looked straight out of a Bollywood movie set.
But when it comes to food, just like the other outlets, Cyber Hub’s Social doesn’t disappoint you. For the starters, we ordered Fully loaded Nachos, Southhall Fish and Chips, Murgh Tikka and Bombay Bhelpuri Salad. The nachos were loaded with cheese, mayo and veggies. Usually this results in a mess, but here the layering and texturing were balanced well to avoid sogginess and retain the crispiness. Every flavour in this starter went well with the other flavour, rather bouncing off each other in a relay, and was a treat for the taste buds.
The fish in the South Hall Fish and Chips was well-marinated in vindaloo paste with beer batter and was served with Masala Fries and Garlic Chutney Mayo. A spicy, native interpretation of a classic, this certainly went well with our kind of palate.
The Murgh Tikka was the old school variety but suited us as long it was an accompaniment to the beer. last among the starter, we had the famous Bombay Bhelpuri Salad, the sweet and sour mix with a kick of spices and tang, the kind that awakens all the tastebuds you never knew existed.
With the desi bar in front of us, how could we miss out on drinksIJ We were served the “toxic” version of The longest long Island Iced Tea, in short, l.l.I.I.T. It was a deadly mixture of Vodka, Gin, Tequila, Rum, Triple Sec, Apple and Cranberry juice (just imagine). Goes without saying, the cocktail took us down. Kudos bartender.
Moving on to the main course, we ordered Aroraji’s Punjabi Kadhi, Dal Makhani and Butter Chicken. Served in a two-box tiffin, one side steaming rice and the chickpea delicacy in the other, this was one just had mother’s love written all over it. The dal makhani, however, lacked the “it” factor. There was nothing exclusive about it. The butter chicken was sumptuous and the best we’ve had in a very long time.
Coming over to the desserts, you could give them a miss. We ordered The Ramesh and Suresh and Ferrero Rocher Shake, the first derived from the 5-Star chocolate ad about dumb and dumber twins. The chocolate bars were reportedly deep-fried with hot chocolate fudge and vanilla ice cream but somehow didn’t quite come through. The shake, the less said the better. Ambience, check. Food, check. Drinks, check. Cyber Hub Social, love to keep checking. You can munch on while celebrating life with friends.