Mumbai Food: What's brewing at a new Bandra bar?

Potato Scoops. Pics/Atul Kamble

Thankfully, we didn't feel a sense of déjà vu when we stepped into Déjà Brew that has replaced The Pint Room on Bandra's Linking Road, recently. The bright red-and-yellow interiors have made way for stark grey sofas and wooden, high bar chairs, with rustic chandeliers and a bookshelf added to the overhaul. The new owners, who also run the adjoining The Great Punjab, have revamped the menu too, re-stocking the bar (which previously featured other spirits as well) with domestic and international varieties of beer, including craft beer from The White Owl Brewery and Gateway Brewing Co. The only constant is the petite, ever-smiling bar manager Serena, who took care of the space in its previous avatar too.

The bar includes craft beers on tap from local breweries

Cider tales
Soaking in a neighbourhood pub vibe - with soft music playing in the background, perfect for an uninterrupted conversation - we pored over the bar menu, featuring everything from Corona and Stella to Hoegaarden and Double Stout Ale. When we told Serena that we were keen to try the craft brews, she promptly presented us with four tasters - White Zen, A-1 India Pale Ale, Doppelganger and Apple Cider - along with ongoing deals (500 ml of a Gateway brew for the price of 330 ml; buy-two-get-one-free for The White Owl brews). Brownie points for the service, which is the best way to introduce one to the world of craft beers. What's more, the bar doesn't burden you with a service charge, making it a sweeter deal. We picked Gateway's Doppelganger (Rs 190) and The White Owl's Apple Cider (Rs 190). While the German-style dark wheat Doppelganger was refreshing, we loved the smooth Apple Cider, with a strong, fruity aftertaste, much better than the ones we've tried at a few other breweries.

Chicken Meatballs

Bacon in my scoop
Restricted to bar bites and pizzas, the food menu covers varieties like Sloppy Joes, Bangers & Mash, shishtouks and bacon-wrapped prawns. We began with Potato Scoops (Rs 230), made from two portions with customised toppings. While the spicy jalapeno-and-cheese stuffed one was melt-in-your-mouth, the bacon-and-cheese variety, with tiny bits of smoked meat, packed a punch with its flavours. Baked to perfection, the dish made for a perfect appetiser and complemented the brews.

Next, we called for Chicken Meatballs (Rs 290), drizzled with a Chinese-style sauce that tasted like Manchurian gravy. While the crispy meatballs were tasty, we'd have preferred them doused in a zesty red sauce instead. From 10-inch, thin crust, stone-fired pizza section, we picked Veggie Surprise (Rs 300). Loaded with bell peppers, broccoli and corn on a bed of tomato sauce, the pizza was cheesy, and crispy - just the way we like it.

Time: 6 pm to midnight AT 266, Linking Road, next to The Great Punjab, Bandra (W).
Call: 26408036
Deja Brew didn't know we were there. the guide reviews anonymously and pays for its meals