This Andheri eatery is styled just like Irish pubs

The Country Fried Steak and Penne Carcoifi

Thou shall not drive through Lokhandwala without pausing in Brickhouse for a pint. That's the new mantra to follow. Brickhouse Café & Bar has a small gate at the crossroads of the end of Lokhandwala but you will walk into a beautiful world, the minute you step inside.

Brickhouse Cafe
Food Can do better
Service Quick
Ambiance Industrial

(L to R)The Country Fried Steak and Penne Carcoifi are rewarding dishes

A beautiful brick-themed room lit with an assortment of hue-enhancing bulbs, it is straight out of a Bollywood movie song with the sort of community-hub vibe that makes you want to settle in and become part of the furniture. Our only complaint is that it was freezing on the inside and not much could be done with the central heating.

There is an al fresco seating as well but that lets the street noise leak in and isn't a reprieve from the sounds of the day. We however, chose it over the freezing cold inside. The drinks menu arrived and presented a heady mix of a variety of in-house cocktails and trendy sounding mocktails.

Dutch Kettle is a spectacular drink

We start with the Dutch Kettle (Rs 450) that is a potent mix of gin, lychee liqueur, freshly squeezed pomegranate juice, sour mix muddled and strained over lemon ice and dry smoked with basil and orange peel. This is a stunning presentation. Dry ice was served separately and you can smoke each sip as you go. It's gimmicky, but delicious and perfect, in this warm weather. The gin isn't overpowering and yet flavourful enough to sense a bittersweet aftertaste.

Next, the Chicken Mushroom Cappuccino (Rs 195) is essentially a creamed chicken soup with mushroom. This one was a rich and flavoursome creamy soup that made for a fabulous starter and was served with a breadstick. While the soup was packed with flavours, the accompanying breadstick was stale. We asked for a replacement but they heated it up and brought it. Epic fail.

The Penne Carcoifi (Rs 360) is Penne Pasta sautéed with artichokes, black olives and spinach. It's a decent dish but not extraordinary. Perhaps, a little bit more egg and grated cheese would have balanced the dry feel. Finally, the Country Fried Steak (Rs 325) is the good ol' Southern American delicacy of crumbed flash fried chicken served with mashed potato and sauces' gravy. The gravy was great and served over the steak and mashed potatoes taking the dish a notch higher. How we wish though, it had been a traditional Beef Steak!

For people that care more about the quality of a drink and a customer's experience than snooty rules and policies, Brickhouse Café & Bar is a sure winner.

At: Greenfield Apartments, Lokhandwala Market, opposite HDFC ATM, Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri (W).
Call: 9820556084

Brickhouse Café & Bar didn't know we were there. the guide reviews anonymously and pays for its meals. The writer can be followed @tansworld