We think something is seriously the matter if a bistro that prides itself on being a wine bar, takes half an hour to uncork a fresh bottle. An evening at Worli's Cafe Ivy Bar & Bistro unfolded domino-effect disasters, leaving a bunch of us gasping for a breath of politeness.

The beginning: It has the reputation of being a "cheap and chic" hangout option, making it a popular destination for professionalsu00a0to grab an after-work drink and bite. And perhaps that's what made it a meeting point for me and three friends, who didn't want to compromise on a conversation over booze, because a devil called recession has been lurking for a while. We bagged a corner table at the bar after a brief 10-minute wait. So far, so good.