Banana goes re-public with Pool lounge

You have the money. You have the space. You arrange two pool tables. Presto! You get a lounge. WHAT's ON stepped into a Pool Lounge where taking a skinny dip could go unnoticed

How about a vodka-Malibu-Peach Schnapps mixed with cranberry juice cocktail to go for the evening? It's called Absolut Stress and after a day's grind at your workstation, the sound of this heady mix could be better than a roll in the hay. We thought so too when we dropped in at Banana Pool Lounge before the clock struck ten and the one-plus-one free offer expired. Then the manager tells us we can't avail the offer since its past ten. We decorate the dining table with a wristwatch, two mobile phone clocks, all reading time at 9.50 pm. "Computer is closed, it will not take the order," he says. "But we want a waiter to take the order, not Aibo or Aiko!" This is the first five minutes and we know why we aren't coming back.

On the menu: Absolut (Rs 185, 30ml) must come in some cheap measure, so it does with Sprite (Rs 70) and Blender's Pride (Rs 120, 30ml) with Coke (Rs 70). Crunchy Mustard Chicken (Rs 225) arrives with the drinks and we are in no mood to sing about it. Alcohol must cheer us before we can put in a good word about a place, that having put two pool tables and charging a nominal Rs 50 for a game, is suddenly rechristened as Banana Pool Lounge with today's chef special being grand Chicken Stroganoff. Original! We try the Mediterranean Salad (Rs 180) with iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, croutons, olives, paprika and assorted herbs tossed in olive oil. The alcohol has mellowed us, so we chomp and polish the plate in hungry seconds. It's tangy and our taste buds have smoothened our initial grouse. The Tawa Chicken platter (Rs 280) is a bowl of Butter Chicken and naan. Hugely expensive, going by the portion, but sumptuously satisfying with its thick curry fragrant with a slice of lemon juice.

Service: The staff is efficient but their computers go to bed early. The music: Guns & Roses (who have disbanded and are deadwood) blare on the sound system.

At: The Banana Bar, Hotel New Castle, First Floor, above Only Parathas, Khar (W).
From 11am to 1 am.
Call: 26480483 / 26480481

Banana bar didn't know we were there. WHAT's ON reviews anonymously and pays for meals