Hearty, soul-satisfying lunches and dinners are what we have always associated the Courtyard by Marriott, Pune City Centre with. Owing to their heartwarming service and consistent food and beverages, they have always impressed and we were not surprised that Evviva, their latest lounge-bar, does the same. It’s amazing how just the eighth floor picks you out of the dirt and grime of the surroundings and brings you closer to the stars. This chic lounge reminds you of the glittering gold globular bar, Sirocco in Bangkok, captured in the movie Hangover. Subtly segregated into high chairs, regular dining tables and lounge sofas, Evviva is a stylish place for those through with the head-banging of their early 20s. As the wind caresses your hair, the DJ’s new age music lifts up spirits, yet soft enough to have a normal conversation. The bar moves swiftly and silently to meet the lengthy wine and liquor list. Beer seems to be the favoured drink on most tables on a Monday evening. It’s got to be a neat cocktail for us, so we opted for a classic Margarita and a non-alcoholic beverage (Rs 600) for the partner.

It’s very rare that a mixed drink sans alcohol beats its more potent cousin in taste but, this one, with the sheer freshness of its ingredients, does. Not that there is anything amiss with our Margerita but, it’s a classic versus a novel flavour. Evviva’s menu has been thought through with care. Not ften, after a couple of drinks, do we wish to stay back for dinner. u00a0But Evviva has something for everyone and hence offers small eats as well as a basic dinner menu. It’s a mélange of popular Indian, even more popular Italian and some American dishes whisked in. Spiking off on a hungry stomach isn’t a good idea, so we went for a big one. Mini Beef Burgers (Rs 400) came in three slider variants — a gorgeous, juicy ground beef patty that does the American burger proud; a gourmet duck liver caviar for the epicurean eagles and a sweet caramalised onion beef burger for those who enjoy a touch of veggies with their meat.u00a0