Contemporary Indian bar – three words we never thought we would put together in one sentence, but Ek Bar has made it possible. This trendsetting gem bottles a pinch of nostalgia, a dash of memories and a whiff of the familiar to concoct a heady experience we can’t get enough of! The collaborative passion project between Chef Sujan Sarkar and AD Singh looks as good as it sounds by opting out of opulent to create a quirky identity that transforms from day to night. Think old gramophones, vintage pictures, hardbound books, an unofficial elephant mascot and a groovy playlist. An intimate room with stairs leading to a small terrace, the focus is on the bar counter stocked with jars of elixirs, cool glassware and even the humble katori ice that turns up unexpectedly. The libations are divided into 4 playing cards – Ekka, Badshah, Begum, Gulam – with each featuring 3 classics with genius twists. Ekka’s Murabba Mule with murabba made from the bartender’s mother’s recipe is elevated by bright homemade ginger beer and shows how little things make a big difference. Though Badshah’s fragrant Royal Indian Punch is our favourite, served in vintage teacups with fermented kahwa tea and sweet pink grapefruit, Gulam hits a chord by paying tribute to the Rebellion of 1857 with ghee (yes, seriously) infused whisky sweetened by banana syrup. Of course, they also have everything else you would want to drink on a night out, but we highly recommend you don’t miss out on the cocktails. The kitchen isn’t short on surprises either and churns out tapas style Thali’s and Quarter Plates heaped with chicken tikka sausages, rajmah hummus and Goan Chorizo Scotch Anda. For heartier eats, there’s a brilliant rendition of Chicken Liver and Liquid Bheja Pâté that you can pair with a Khamiri Roti pizza. Our contender to the ubiquitous English gastropub, you’ll be going back here baar baar!
Critic Review
Nightlife Review
Buzz: 4.5/5 | Décor: 3.5/5 | Service: 4/5
-By Deepali Gupta
Trust AD Singh to come up with a funky new concept.
ATMOSPHERICS
Right on the main road of Defence Colony’s D Block, right by the Jungpura flyover, in the place where another restaurant used to be is the latest from the Olive stable. The best part about Ek Bar is the vibe: you can treat it as a regular bar, a restaurant, a meeting place with a smoking area on the terrace or a path-breaking venue for extremely innovative food and drinks. This is one space where you would do well to order the punch section. It is Ek Bar’s case that the British punch is actually a derivative from the Hindi word paanch, so every single punch has been crafted with at least one Indian ingredient and it works very well indeed. The service-ware too is novel includes teacups. Expect to see a rash of ‘inspirations’ all over the city very soon! The best part is that Ek Bar has not a whit of pretentiousness, from the music to the service to the menus. The downside is that not for love or money will you bag a table over the weekend!
TABLE TALK
Ek Bar is as good for a meal as it is for a snack (they have teas and non-alcoholic cocktails too). The Sausage Thali (Rs 700) is served on a kasha (bell metal) thali and consists of homemade sausages: Chicken Tikka, prawn, Moroccan-inspired Merguez Mutton Sausages and a Nargisi Kofta made with Goan Chorizo. The best vegetarian snack to order is Granola Bar (Rs 300) made with real jhalmuri mixture and topped with avocado, green apple and a scoop of dahi bhalla ice cream. The Chicken Liver and Liquid Bheja Pate (Rs 350) is a superb take on the French pate and is served with a taftan and a salt-marinated chilli. Also worth a mention is the Andaman Tuna Papdi Chaat (Rs 450) that features puffed black rice, potato, avocado, tamarind gel and togarashi chaat masala, where the togarashi doesn’t jockey for attention with the desi ingredients. One of the best main course dishes is the Quinoa and Desi Grain Pulao (Rs 500) that is healthy, not expensive and filling at the same time.
PLUS AND MINUS
Ek Bar espouses a mix of an Indian and international vibe. However, the ragda (dried pea) needs a relook.
Must Try: Vegetarian Thali, Khameeri Pizza, Lamb Chop Varuval
Critic reviews are anonymous and all bills are paid by them.
↧