Located rather fittingly in an old 1920s Art Deco building that has been tenderly restored, on the corner of a sleepy south Calcutta Street, the quiet entrance belies the happy bustle of the top floor where the club is located. It is not until you are halfway up the stairs that strains of jazz and laughter waft down enticingly, and this speakeasy air adds to the charm of the place.

Attention was given to the materials used for the ceiling, pillars, and glass panels, and that means the acoustics remain uniform in the 65-70 seater space. The music is what everyone will look forward to. The cafe offers great bands and artists to perform on weekends, with sporadic gigs through the week. There is space to host jam sessions as well.

Chef Boo Kim’s baos are pillowy and drip with juicy deliciousness. This is a messy affair, and unashamedly so. I highly recommend the pork belly bao fired with hoisin sauce. Another bao I would urge you to try is the bulgogi bao with kimchi. This spicy, salty treat is hugely gratifying. Vegetarians will love the zesty flavours of corn fritters bao. Portion sizes are of the ‘visible-from-space’ variety. That means abundant leftovers are almost inevitable.

Nothing about this restaurant or the menu is subtle, and we love that.

You can’t go wrong with Wit, one of their White Spice brews, a classic Belgian wheat beer with a mix of spices. Or try a cocktail or two like The Cure, concocted with a coffee and caramel flavour, besides the very likable beer sangria – fruits with apple and red grape juice in beer. A great selection of continental food rounds things up rather nicely.

Casual fine-dining at its best, Plats is the kind of place that you will turn to first, be it a last moment plan or a special occasion celebration. 

If there’s an expert in mixing drinks in India, it’s Yangdup Lama, and Cocktails and Dreams Speakeasy is where you can experience is skills first hand.

Sitting in the comfort food space, the flavour of the food appeals to the Indian palate. The open-air space and music performances only add to the experience.

Everything at The Boston Butt is home-made, slow-cooked, and immersive. The service is impeccable, and the ingredients and courses, good. The portions are hearty but not heavy, and the in-house ribs and marinades, homely. All the reasons why a diner like The Boston Butt will fit seamlessly into the narrative of the hipster-friendly Bandra.

The stars of the bakery include the Meringue Lemon Pie, Chocolate Tart, and freshly assembled Mille-feuille.

Healthy and wholesome food, that doesn’t forget to taste good.

Typically, every property has an essence – what you may choose for a destination wedding may not be your pick for a rejuvenating getaway. But here, that essence is ‘Visit Rakkh to be yourself’. There’s no preconceived vibe, and how subtly they create the freedom to just be yourself is something to marvel at.

Unlike the formal and distant approach that becomes the pitfall of most large hotels, ITC Royal Bengal has found the balance between splendour and soul.

In just five years, ITC has modernised this century-old haveli while preserving its cultural, architectural, and culinary nuances.