Torrential rains couldn’t dampen our spirits. After 27 rounds of  “Who’s coming?”, “Should we meet elsewhere?”, and “Running 20 minutes late”, our girls’ night finally happened. We squeezed into an elevator that seemed determined to collect every hungry Bandra resident on its way up, and stopped at every floor like a Western Railway local during peak hour.

Sorena, a new duplex restaurant and bar at Mansionz One on Linking Road, was packed on a Friday evening. A dramatic chandelier of red rope, glass and collected artefacts cascades through its double-height ceiling, a striking island bar anchors the room. There's a floor-to-ceiling memory wall and multiple dining spaces, including a VIP room creates distinct moods. Inspired by the spirit of New York, Sicily, Mumbai, Tokyo, and Istanbul, Sorena feels grand without being intimidating.