Game for some Ping Pong?

In a remote expansive corner of the Bandra Kurla Complex we decided to play the game with a restaurant that loves steam and dimsums After scouring the rectangular maze of the complex we wondered how a popular eating joint known for its vibe in London and Washington DC could be tucked under one of the towering skyscrapers in lsquothe office zonersquo Still the electric bluecoffee brown combination had its effect The place buzzed with the energy of chatting diners on a Saturday afternoon every table was occupied The bar behind concocted glistening cocktails whetted our appetite for more Chicken Rice Pot was a cracker of a dish The marriage of authentic Chinese culture with contemporary angles was wellreflected in the interiors Seated at low spacious tables we noticed that the open kitchen had the exterior of antiquated folding screens a common feature in China The dynamic energy of the place and its relaxed vibe made us order its signature Ping Pong R350 and a Strawberries and Passion Fruit R400 The menu is divided into Nibbles and Sauces Fried and Griddled Baked Rice and Noodle Dishes and lots more A gesture that we recommend to the cityrsquos fine dining joints was a separate paper with the menu and a pencil for us to select food along with stating exactly what is it we are there for In case of a drinking soiree or a quick lunch for business or pleasure can be discreetly conveyed to the attendant while celebrations can also be covertly arranged especially in a schemau00a0of surprise We happily ticked Prawn Crackers with Chilli Sauce R150 Fried and Griddled Fish and Black Pepper Dumpling with Hoi Sin Sauce R350 a Chicken Rice Pot R350 a Lemon Chicken from the Special Dishesrsquo section R300 Steamed Coriander and Prawns Dumpling R325 and a Molten Cake R220 Our cocktails arrived looking tempting with intriguing fibroidlike content floating in our drink Our company didnrsquot prefer ice and had requested so but the drink on its return hardly met expectations The Ping Pong comprised martini bianco white wine and lychee juice served with Asian basil seeds East meets West in the Ping Pong interiors PicsAmit Jadhav Refreshingly tangy our drink was smooth and fun with the seeds teasing our tongue On the other hand strawberries limes passion fruit juice cabritio reposado tequila topped with a sprinkling of Asian basil seeds shaken together were acerbic so much so that they were unpalatable and untouched during the course of the meal The Prawn Crackers tasted yum with a drink and complemented well with the Chilli Sauce that contained tinges of the Hoi Sin The first to arrive were the Fish dumplings that were wellseasoned and juicy mdash as were the Prawn Dumplings cooked perfectly with theu00a0subtle flavours The Chicken Rice Pot looked measly but soupy with a steamy whiff and was seasoned with broccoli edamame beans mdash our favourite at this food orgy As soon as Lemon Chicken was placed in front of us aghast we enquired if it were the main course The gravies are amiss from the menu we were told Sampling three chunks of chicken that were flavoured well but slightly dry at the core began to make us uneasy Anticipating rice fit for one Chicken Noodle Pot R350 was called for which with its timely appearance and sampling managed to further dampen our spirits By then our attendant distractedly brought our dessert mdash after requests mdash that tasted perfect With an unexpected gastronomic ride in the course of two hours we wondered if celebrated food critic Matt Prestonrsquos dessert adage of happy endings were true At Ping Pong First International Finance Centre G Block Bandra Kurla Complex Call 67413333 Ping Pong didnrsquot know we were thereu00a0The Guide reviews anonymously and pays for mealsu00a0