Looking for Manhattan in Malad?

With their international five-zone decor, Malad's new restobar wants to offer the suburbs a sensory treat. But the food is just old recipes dished out on new bone china

Neways, Malad's new restobar is decorated in splendid hues. They've divided the place into five sections; a love zone, green space, white bar, smoking room (where you can eat too) and a general family foyer in the centre. They score on design, but lack in space. While we marveled at the ingenuity of the idea, we realised that all sections were like pocket dreams of what they wanted to be in grandeur.u00a0

On the menu: We ordered a Manhattan cocktail but were told the bitters (preferably Angostura) weren't available. We settled for the bartender's suggestion; Rum Tea Tum (Rs 250) which was a concoction of white rum, lime and strong tea. It felt flat on our tastebuds as Hum Tea Dumb. The Rusty Nail (Rs 250) with Scotch and Drambuie served with clove was stronger. For the chef's special Malai Seekh Kebab (Rs 210) we recommend you rely on the mint dip that comes with it, because the cordon bleu at Neways is generous with salt in this recipe. A Cajun Chicken Salad (Rs 115) followed, with a respectable amount of olive oil in it to make us guilty about indulging. But it's a salad, what the heck! It's supposed to be healthy, right?

Main course by way of menu doesn't have variety, so we settled for Murgh Lahori (Rs 190) and Roomali Rotis (Rs 20 each). Nothing to wag our tongues about. If it wasn't a new place, we'd say the food here is dated. Not in an unkind way though; just old recipes dished on new bone china.

Servings: Portions are good, though if you're all by yourself, you are likely to chow down everything you order without a thought, since hunger has no taste and the food isn't something you want to rave about till it gets cold.

We don't want to sound fussy but really, why were they playing Eminem songs?

At 4, Renis Apartments, behind Bank of India, off Link Road, next to Pride Privilege Inn, Malad (W).
Open from 11 am to 1.30 pm for lunch, and 4 pm to 1.30 am for dinner.
Call: 28793999

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