May the four be with you

The fancy bowling alley was designed in Hungary

We're seated at a high table between a swanky bar and fancy bowling alley that was designed in Hungary. A child at the table next to us is busy with a pizza. Another toddler has his hands on his ears. We'd do the same - the music is too loud. It's 9.30 pm and bedtime for the kids.

The steward who serves us is rash. He insists we try kung pao chicken before we have made our choice. This dish rings a bell since minutes ago, he had dumped a plateful on our table after the guests next to us sent it back, screaming, "We are vegetarian." Are we reading too much into it? Throughout our meal, he opens the side drawer of a cabinet into the back of our chair, without apology or excuse.

Egg rice

We are here to let our hair down, so we change focus. A round of drinks are ordered: a stiff Glenlivet for our friend and a tequila and elderflower aperol for this writer. This is the real deal, and most certainly one that will help us gloss over unpolished edges. The avocado and hummus sandwich (Rs 545) with grilled veggies and olives is served on sourdough bread.

A much-too-thin slather of hummus has a bed of grilled veggies and fresh avocado, but the weight of the toppings is too much for the toasted bread to bear. It crumbles, but we lap it up. Pounded lamb and cheese cigars (Rs 545) come on a bed of creamy pesto mayo. The best cigars we have ‘puffed' in a while. The chicken dimsum in black schezwan sauce (Rs 525) has a smoky sweet aftertaste. A unique folding holds a well-marinated kheema.

Avocado and hummus sandwich

We believe in yellow curry, not red, not green. The water chestnut and broccoli yellow curry (Rs 445) is paired with egg jasmine rice, which has a floral aroma and is cooked to perfection. It's a dish that has the potential to bring us back here. Making egg rice, we believe, is a nuanced art; most times, it is a muddled mash, but this one stands out and matches the fragrant lemongrass flavours of the curry.

Tummies satiated, we walk to the bowling rink and roll a few balls on the Hungarian bowling alley. The arcade behind has an array of games from motor cycling, racing, to Pacman and Tomb raider. The vibe is a retro '90s. A round of PC-Man on the screen is delightful and we end up raising our fists in the air when our guy has devoured the pellets and power cookies and resisted being eaten by the demons. (At Game Palacio, a card of Rs 2,000 allows you to play about 15 games). If we return, it will be with old time friends to relive the college days. But for a space that promises a luxurious vibe, this one lacks polished service and a dedicated dance area.

WHERE: G0001/B, Krystal Building 206, Below Hakkasan, Waterfield Road, Bandra West
TIMING: 11 AM-midnight
CALL: 7208862231
Rating : Good

Game Palacio didn't know we were there. Sunday mid-day reviews anonymously and pays for meals