The Monkey has finally swung East - with Monkey Bar, India's first gastropub opening its first outlet in Kolkata at Fort Knox - Camac Street. All of us had heard lovely things about Monkey Bar from our friends in Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi. Hence, when we were invited for a preview of the MoBar( as its fondly called), I could see a lot of excitement amongst the community.
It was also the day when Kolkata received the heaviest rainfall of the season. It was a workday and though my office is almost a 20 min walk from the outlet, I was not sure if I could make it. There was water everywhere, roads were chock-a-block with cars honking and yellow cabs blatantly refused, app cabs were surging !! In short, Kolkata was in a bad state that evening., add to that the office hour pressure. But god bless that one yellow cab driver who agreed to drop me to the venue.
When I entered the venue, I was half wet.I was wearing a white chikankari kurta and white leggings ( God knows why such things happen to me on days I wear white :/) and I was pretty sure, it was dirty by then because I had to wade through all the waterlogging. I received a warm welcome from Team Monkey Bar. I could already spot some of my blogger friends chilling by then. Yes, I was late but I was not the only one to be late. All thanks to the weather, people took a long time to reach Monkey Bar. Yet, there was a palpable excitement :)
Here are a few things to watch out for at Monkey Bar, Kolkata :
The innovative cocktails: They have some amazing cocktails - starting with MoBar's signature Mangaa and Copper Monkey. The all new cocktail menu for Kolkata includes Toast to Calcutta, a cocktail with Gin, basil, and house made Gondhoraj cordial, Old Fashioned on Camac Street - made with Whiskey, roast almond syrup, bitters and praline and Tipsy Sherbet - our version of a Rose Margarita with egg white. If you are looking to share a drink with your friend order a Pack-a-Punch – a refreshing take on Charles Dickens most favourite drink, made with Rum, Brandy, apple and thyme shrub and cinnamon.
My pick would definitely be Manga and Pack-a-Punch.
When I entered the venue, I was half wet.I was wearing a white chikankari kurta and white leggings ( God knows why such things happen to me on days I wear white :/) and I was pretty sure, it was dirty by then because I had to wade through all the waterlogging. I received a warm welcome from Team Monkey Bar. I could already spot some of my blogger friends chilling by then. Yes, I was late but I was not the only one to be late. All thanks to the weather, people took a long time to reach Monkey Bar. Yet, there was a palpable excitement :)
Here are a few things to watch out for at Monkey Bar, Kolkata :
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| Copper Monkey |
The innovative cocktails: They have some amazing cocktails - starting with MoBar's signature Mangaa and Copper Monkey. The all new cocktail menu for Kolkata includes Toast to Calcutta, a cocktail with Gin, basil, and house made Gondhoraj cordial, Old Fashioned on Camac Street - made with Whiskey, roast almond syrup, bitters and praline and Tipsy Sherbet - our version of a Rose Margarita with egg white. If you are looking to share a drink with your friend order a Pack-a-Punch – a refreshing take on Charles Dickens most favourite drink, made with Rum, Brandy, apple and thyme shrub and cinnamon.
My pick would definitely be Manga and Pack-a-Punch.
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| Pack-a-punch |
Food and more food : Chef Manu Chandra has an interesting mix of international and regional flavours for you. The menu is quirky, surprising and innovative. So while you have a mezze platter, you will also find Kerala Rice salad( a concoction of Baby spinach, red rice, raw mango, coconut, peanuts and upmensinkai; imagine having rice for salad !!). To soothe the bong taste buds they have tikki of joy - Kolkata inspired fish cutlets with kasundi and mint chutney. My favourites were the chicken chapli - galouti kebabs served on mini slices of parathas with onions and mint chutney; Butter Chicken Khchdi - Just imagine two comfort food in one : Butter chicken and khichdi. It was just the perfect dish for a rainy evening. Comes very very close to the Bhuna khichdi of Oudh !! It was yum :) Another superhit dish was the Tiger beef - soft, juicy and spicy beef dish - a preparation that is just my kind of dish.
The decor: Sky high ceilings with large arched windows that offer a lovely panoramic view of the city 's skyline, MoBar has an intimate set up where you can relax with your group of friends after a hard day at work. The interiors have a Kolkata touch with brick walls, quirky posters and works of local artists. They also have an outdoor seating area. Spread over 2750 square feet ,the place is warm and vibrant.
I missed the desserts, all thanks to the rains and non-availability of cabs. Next time I visit Monkey Bar, I will definitely try out the desserts beacuse I have heard great things about them from fellow bloggers. Till next time, then.
Overall, I loved the ambience of the place. The cocktails and food especially the chicken chapli, tiger beef, butter chicken khichdi is superb.
If you like the posts, please follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram :)
Disclaimer: Love Health N Beauty dined at MonkeyBar on the kind invitation of the management
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| Tiger Beef |
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| Butter Chicken Khichdi |
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| Kerala Red Rice salad |
The decor: Sky high ceilings with large arched windows that offer a lovely panoramic view of the city 's skyline, MoBar has an intimate set up where you can relax with your group of friends after a hard day at work. The interiors have a Kolkata touch with brick walls, quirky posters and works of local artists. They also have an outdoor seating area. Spread over 2750 square feet ,the place is warm and vibrant.
I missed the desserts, all thanks to the rains and non-availability of cabs. Next time I visit Monkey Bar, I will definitely try out the desserts beacuse I have heard great things about them from fellow bloggers. Till next time, then.
Overall, I loved the ambience of the place. The cocktails and food especially the chicken chapli, tiger beef, butter chicken khichdi is superb.
If you like the posts, please follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram :)
Disclaimer: Love Health N Beauty dined at MonkeyBar on the kind invitation of the management
