BROOKLYN SHUFFLE: Tracing A Diner's Transition Into A Bar

Everyone’s favorite hangout Brooklyn Shuffle has gone a notch up turning from ‘Diner’ to ‘Bar’. The lighting is dimmer, the up-tempo music played louder and kids don’t fit their target audience especially after 5pm. They have what are probably the city’s longest Happy Hours from 11AM to 8PM to cajole the tipple-lovers into busying their bar. On offer are beer, vodka and whiskey for a stunning Rs 99, unlimited draught mug for Rs 500 and cocktail pitchers for Rs 700. Now that’s what we call a sweet deal.

The positioning from diner to bar for Brooklyn Shuffle has proved to be a dawdling one. For some post-dinner drinks and light bites, people still prefer their neighbor and sister restaurant Jimmy Hu. But they’re pulling in all the works to make the diner-ambience more bar-like. They have some high seating and have installed a television to screen football and cricket matches to drive in beer-loving sport fans. Thursdays are dedicated to Karaoke sessions and Fridays to retro music. A DJ also occupies a spot with his console on Saturday nights.

Their food menu has become slimmer retaining only the bestselling items from their previous and more wholesome grub menu. Of course, the burgers remain. In fact, as much as the owners want their cocktails to be the reason people flock to Brooklyn Shuffle, it is still their juicy burgers that draw in the crowd. Sadly they’ve discontinued offering those crispy greasy onion rings with the burgers. The good news is those chili sprinkled potato wedges still complement the dish. Other diner hits on the menu are pork chops, fish n chips, roast chicken, mac n cheese, pasta and lots of vegetarian and non-vegetarian platters to go with the drinks featuring finger food like devilled eggs, duxelle mushrooms, potato skins, shrimp popcorn and chicken lollies.

Their bar serves fresh fruit cocktails by the glass or pitcher. Feel free to ask for tasters before you zero in on the cocktail of your choice. Colorful tasters come served in mini mason jars. The Cold War (Rs 275) is a light pink concoction of vodka, fresh watermelon and red chili adding the spice quotient to the cocktail. The New Yorker Sour (Rs 390) is a palate-soothing mélange of whiskey, orange juice and red wine; the heat from the whiskey mulled with fruity notes of the juice and wine. The Brooklyn Tea Party (Rs 450) is a winning combination of dark rum and whiskey with undeniable hints of black coffee. Third Base (Rs 275) has white rum overwhelming the flavor of pineapple juice with hot green chili playing cupid. Curve Ball (Rs 350) adds a dash of fresh melon and whiskey to perk up beer - so popular is this beer cocktail, people order pitchers of it. Their bar menu also offers shots and shooters, beer towers and an impressive list of wines, vodka, whiskey and gin. Though a bit heavy on the wallet, we hope their lovely cocktails will make their ‘American diner’ tag fade away soon.

*Prices mentioned by glass

This review was first published on Burrp.

INSIDE THE GO CHEESE FACTORY

Last weekend, I got a unique opportunity to visit Gowardhan Cheese Factory in Manchar district, a good two hour drive from Pune city. The owning home-grown company Parag Milk Foods brand portfolio includes Gowardhan and GO boasting of a range of dairy products that have been retailed across Mumbai and Pune over the last decade. I first started using their yoghurt when the local kirana store ran out of my usual preference of Amul , Danone and Britannia . One spoon of it and I instantly found it so fresh, light and 'unprocessed'. I have always loved cheese but now I even prefer it over chocolate. So when I was scheduled to visit the GO factory, it bore semblance to winning the golden ticket and entering glistening gates to its factory much like the popular Roald Dahl 's Charlie . Except that it was not all that dramatic!

An Immersive Stay at Andaz Amsterdam

I have stayed at some great hotels, but none were like the Andaz Amsterdam . None of them. No hotel has impressed me as much as this Hyatt brand of hotel has. It's so good, it warrants an entire blog post. And here is why - right from the word check-in, you're really made to feel like you've stepped into a little slice of Amsterdam . The hotel is located on one of the hottest streets in Amsterdam called Prinsengracht, a street along the city's most prestigious canal. A lot of the city's attractions are a short walk away. The hotel is designed by the famous Dutch designer Marcel Wanders . So no wonder hints of this vibrant old city of Amsterdam peek out from the interiors to induct you into Dutch culture. The lobby was stunning - with its prominently blue interiors, there was a touch of quirk everywhere. From the very high ceiling is suspended an enormous artsy lighting-cum-chandelier installation. Above each reception desk there are huge white bell-shap

Restaurant Review | Where Else Cafe & Bar

Where Else promises to be unique in Viman Nagar, a neighbourhood already brimming with so many eateries. Four young friends came together to put their love for food and travel experiences in a melting pot called ‘Where Else’. This new café and bar is the brainchild of sibling duo Ardesh and Daisy Rustomjee and best friend duo Amritha Shrikumar and Sweta Jobanputra. These Viman Nagar residents have been firsthand witnesses to the rise of new eateries in their locality. With ‘Where Else’ they aim to fill in the void of a place that offers all-day breakfast and good quality indulgent food. We drove to the outlet in its first week of opening to find out if ‘Where Else’ is the place to be.

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