Night Rider

Some cafes are nocturnal and run 24x7. They serve breakfast, lunch, high tea, dinner and a midnight buffet. And, there's more well past midnight, when a different breed comes to graze. Sunday MiD DAY sets out to explore what happens between 1 and 5 am, when almost no one's looking

Lotus Cafe, JW Marriott

Walk into Lotus Cafe at 1:45 am and you can hear the murmur of conversation and bursts of laughter. A few diners come dressed in their best, while for others it's shorts and chappals. Be aware of stuck to the lips couples, though. A handful also bring along extra diners who had no intention of dining in the first place. Says junior sous chef, Sangram Sawant, "A few nights ago we had Katrina Kaif come in and some 10 other people also came in, just to see her. So it's good for us."

Lotus Cafe makes for a fun, chilled out dining experience with the staff not hovering around you too much, yet they materialise when you make a request. You can drop by for a quick classic club sandwich or a long conversation over coffee that spills into breakfast.

Chef Sangram was reluctant to have the kitchen photographed but let us take a peek, warning that it is being cleaned and hence messy. Well, it was a little messy and slippery while two chefs were at work.

The kitchen is ready for any eventuality in terms of what the guests desire. Chef Sawant says, "We had a regular guest ask for something other than the Madras steak, so we made steak with some basil and pesto sauce and he liked it."

The Earth Plate, Sahara Star

A very accommodating staff would entice you to stay a little longer at The Earth Plate at Sahara Star. Get your friends and more so your family for a delicious bite. Bask under the soft rosy lighting, sink into the comfy wicker chairs while admiring the aquarium. Don't worry about the next table catching snippets of your conversation as the tables are placed at enough distance. The spacious restaurant is very inviting. The music also changes to something lighter. Spend as much time as you want here as this is the perfect late night joint, only if a little away from the city.

Says Gaurav Sachdeva, assistant manager, "The guests are more demanding during the night. They are here to leave their problems aside work and personal. They don't want to be disturbed, just want their food as soon as possible."

Sip on their specialty Berry Blast a slush made of various berries. It's so cold that it gives you a brain freeze yet so yummy that you just have to finish it all.

If you are really lucky, you might spot a cricket team or two waiting to take their next flight out, otherwise it's just airline staff. However, beware of a few young diners who might have a tendency to stare a little too much.
Lake View Cafe, Renaissance

Like its name, the Lake View Cafe looks onto the Powai Lake and the buildings surrounding it. It's a breathtaking view. The water sparkling in the night and the lights on the buildings twinkling as they get reflected on the water of the lake. Sadly late night diners are not treated to this view, as they have to dine indoors.u00a0

When the guests are out, the staff come out to play. The staff seems to catch up on conversation with each other or even on the phone on the sly after being reprimanded for yelling directions to Andheri.

However when they do pay attention to you, they are pretty helpful and well informed. The chicken tikka, which is the most hot selling item post midnight, is tender and has no ugly red masala but is a little salty. Their cold coffee was, in the photographer's words, "Too milky. It tastes like Milkmaid." Still give this place a try, if only for the quick glimpse of the lake.

Vista, Taj Lands End

When you walk into Vista after a late night of partying at Bandra's hippest clubs, don't be surprised if you spy Riteish Deshmukh enjoying a biryani or John and Bipasha cuddling over a coffee. Vista is no stranger to famous faces dropping in for some privacy post midnight. We saw Emraan Hashmi with his bunch of friends enjoying some coffee and conversation. He said, "I come with my friends for some coffee or we come here if we are partying this side of town. (24-hour coffee shops) are the only places that are open throughout. You can sit and have a chat. I prefer to have coffee and the buffet."

Vista is a great place for you to catch up on conversations; the atmosphere is relaxed with not too much activity and scuttling on part of the staff or even very loud diners. Visit the place with a special someone, as the restaurant takes on a slight romantic tinge after hours.

While you coo over your partner, don't forget to try their hand-tossed pizza that they serve throughout the day. The chicken tikka pizza we had was spicy and saucy to perfection with a generous dose of chicken pieces. Nothing like eating a freshly tossed pizza to settle your stomach after some not so calming alcohol.u00a0