Standing on Mandlik Road, on the left is a colonial style bungalow, where Indigo once occupied the space of the city’s finest restaurants. On the right, the dome of Taj Mahal Palace Hotel adds a charming backdrop. Through a glass panel on a grey facade, one can see the mirrored bar wall at the far end glisten. A marbled bar juts out perpendicularly. Blue-cushioned booths covered in plastic and saw dust, await finishing touches.

Gauri Devidayal and Jay Yousuf, the couple behind The Table and Magazine Street Kitchen, drive up. After pleasantries, we turn to walk in. Yousuf opens the door and says, “Why is this door jammed? It should slide smoothly.” He has checked into work mode. Gauri walks to the bar where they are experimenting with an ice block stamp. Excited, she points her phone camera to it.