Step into a make-believe Westeros with friends, not for the food, but for a heady dose of GoT
The giant iron throne
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If you're a fan like us, the best thing to do to make the endless wait for season eight of Game of Thrones (GoT) bearable is to hop into a space that is themed around it. Right around a corner on Linking Road, we spot a huge iron throne perched royally in a quaint little porch. The place is lit by illuminated cages and the light almost eerily falls on the flags hanging on either walls, their sigils shining bright — House Lannister, House Targaryen and House Stark. This is the Gospel of Taste.We gulp down the excitement, sit on the throne for a quick selfie with a sharp Cersei look on our face and then, with the only table outside already taken, we proceed indoors.
A miniature dragon suspended from the ceiling
The door here, as doors from George RR Martin's cult series are wont to be, has Hold the Door written on it, with the letters HODOR bolder and brighter. And smiling at us icily through a glass wall is a head of the Night King. It's eerie but then again, we are easily thrilled.
The bowl of Dracarys
Indoors, there's just one longish table staring at us. It looks like the bark of a tree and is surrounded by a handful of tall stools. A group of girls are already on a GoT high, leaving us barely enough space to be snug. Since we are there with a friend, the place turns full once we take our seats.
Valar Morghulis in a modified alehorn
The waiting staff, who we wish were dressed like the Night's Watch, wear big smiles and hand over a cardboard sword and shield to us; these being the mocktails and food menu, respectively. One look and we are intrigued. From classic Catelyn and Hot Pie's butter to Brienne's BBQ and dracarys — we are spoilt for choice. But since they are all variations of Maggi, we opt for dracarys ('160) because nothing's fierier than Drogon and Co. spitting fire into our dishes. The mocktails menu, too, has us biting our nails. An attendant steps in and reveals that these are the real deal. So, we opt for valar morghulis (Rs.250), because "all men must die", and Valyrian steel (Rs.200), because what else can slay the White Walkers now.
Tyrion's quote on the board
Dracarys arrives promptly — after all, it's only a two-minute dish — and is served in a wooden bowl. And to our dismay, we find it's only the usual Maggi sprinkled with chilli flakes to add fire. We tuck into the instant noodles and take in the decor, hoping the latter will suffice. And it does — thanks to the dragon eggs, the skeletons and dragons suspended from the ceiling, and the blackboard that reads out Tyrion Lannister's famous quote, "I drink and I know things." The quote changes every day, we are told.
Goblets and the wall decor
The mocktails arrive soon after. The Valyrian steel comes in a glass that sits amid faux smoke fizzing out from a saucer. It's a concoction of strawberry juice and blue curacao syrup. It's refreshing on a sultry summer day. Valar morghulis, a combination of chocolate and coffee, is served, almost precariously, in a modified alehorn. After the last sip, we are left craving for more. This one is the best, so far.
Our stomachs full or appetite killed by the lack of imagination on the plate, we decide to leave. And in our attempt to do so, we are torn between whether or not to revisit. We won't because we simply don't understand the need to pay anything above '10 for a simple plate of boiled instant noodles. But, in our hearts, we know that some day in the future, we might again lose our way and find ourselves on the steps to Westeros, eagerly waiting in line for a selfie on the iron throne. Or maybe, until winter comes.
Time: 2 pm to 1.30 am
At: 29th Road, next to Duruelo Convent School, Linking Road, Bandra West.
Call: 30151840
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