Jenna Ba. Pics/Sneha Kharabe
It’s not often that we spot a woman behind a bar in the city. So, our faces split into a wide grin as we watched in-house bar consultant Jenna Ba, who has worked at several London five-stars, deftly carving blocks from home-made ice slabs at the island bar in House Of Nomad. The new gastro bar, which opened last weekend, replaces the four-year-old Italian specialty restaurant, Maritime by San Lorenzo. Stripped of its earlier navy-and-vanilla avatar, the spacious venue warmed up to us with its wood-panelled interiors, gleaming under light bulbs and comfortable high chairs.
Andrew Pearson
As Deep House music played in the background, at a decibel that wouldn’t interrupt a conversation, we perused the eats menu, comprising global small plates including Spanish-style Roasted Patatas Bravas (Rs. 295), where the crisp potatoes were doused in zesty tomato sauce and garlic aioli, and the Brit-style Chorizo Scotch Eggs (Rs. 350). Our favourite was Total Lamb Pie (Rs. 475), which came with tangy tomato chutney. The crusty, cheddar-laced pie, encasing spiced minced meat, packed a punch with its flavours.
Total Lamb Pie
It vied for our attention with an extensive bar menu, crafted by Yorkshire-based award-winning mixologist Andrew Pearson, whose association with the hotel goes back to early 2000s. The menu offers a fruity cocktails and drinks infused with theatrics. For instance, Chanel No 6 (Rs. 650) is laced with vodka, lychee puree and coconut and accompanied with a delightful raspberry molecular lipstick. “Most of the ingredients we use are made in-house, including the tinctures, carbonated Negroni and stout reductions. We’ve also designed the glasses keeping the drink in mind and use large blocks of ice to ensure the drink isn’t diluted,” he shared.
Time: 3 pm to 1.30 am
At: House Of Nomad, Level 1, Taj Lands End, Bandra (W)
Call: 66681234
The Bollywood Hopeful
Flavours of vodka, apricot liquor, mango and fresh lemon hit our throats as we sipped the drink. It came with a shot of Prosecco, a fizzy Italian grape wine.
Cost: 750
Espress Yourself
We were greeted with the faint scent of vanilla, courtesy a pod that doubled up as a stirrer. The coffee, coupled with vodka, chocolate bitters and Kahlua offered a strong kick, which we loved.
Cost: 750
The Final Say
A fresh dragon fruit stared at us from the rim of a glass holding a heady and fruity flavours of peach, guava and lemon that balanced the rum-cognac base.
Cost: 700
Handsome Stranger
Whiskey, orange marmalade, ginger syrup and a splash of sparkling water make up this breezy drink that calmed our frayed nerves with its perfect balance of tart and zesty flavours.
Cost: 650