Spaced out

The Guide spent an evening at Exclusive Dining & Lounge, a well-spaced, neon-lit hangout that glams up Ghitorni all over again

The Guide spent an evening at Exclusive Diningu00a0& Lounge, a well-spaced, neon-lit hangout that glams up Ghitorni all over again

MG road's feeling better again, after the bulldozers mowed down most of its assets not so long ago. Exclusive Dining & Lounge, tucked up an almost invisible flight of stairs, stands true to its nameu00a0- you won't find a crowd here; we were the only ones to walk in that night. A steep climb, dusty parking and slightly confusing driveway open into a psychedelic paradise, virgin and vibrant. One you'd enjoy every bit of.

Food

Though food isn't the main attraction here, the many cuisines make it endearing. There's Indian, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, Italian with a touch of Lebanese, Mediterranean and Japanese, and executive chef Rajeev Kumar does a good job with most. The paneer is remarkably soft, and hara kebabs, commendably succulent. And, the baby corns fine and fresh, unlike the limp ones you find at most big banner joints.

Drinks

In cocktails, we vote for the good old Bloody Mary with just the right amount of tang.u00a0 They're well-stocked on booze, and neat with the mixing. For wine lovers, there is a wide selection, from vintage Champagne to Chablis and classy Cabernet.

Ambience

Here's where the place scores highest. Bright blue and yellow tints fill the otherwise dim 4800sq ft area, but no, it doesn't appear tacky. What's worth a mention is how the seating the seating is spread to create large, relaxing spaces in between. The well-cushioned couches make you want to stay on forever, so stick to the wooden chairs if you're in a hurry. The du00e9cor is urban chic, and the choice of music includes hip hop, R&B, pop, rock, funk, disco, alternative and house, we're told. Meanwhile, DJ Sanj keeps busy with Bhangra and Bollywood numbers, and you don't mind shaking a leg. There's a 4500 sq ft dance floor to do justice to all that. Spacey surprise.u00a0

Exclusive Dining & Lounge
Where: 428/3, 1ST Floor, Ghitorni, M.G.Road
Timings: Dining: 12 noon -11.00 pm, parties: 10:00 pm -1.00 am
Meal for two: Rs 1300 plus taxes