Drink and dine at this plush Bandra restaurant without burning a hole in pocket

The loyalty of patrons has dropped, a restaurateur once told us. With so many bars, lounges, cafes and restaurants to choose from, it is a problem of the plenty. Patrons are not complaining, and restaurateurs are upping their game, playing the competitive card. While most have to make great efforts to charm, some spaces in the city draw regulars. One such bar is House of Nomad lodged in Taj Land's End in Bandra. In spite of being a five-star, the bar is well priced, and inviting.

The copper, brown and black hues give it a British club with a modern twist. We've walked in on a Thursday night, and chose a high table all the wall.

We are quick to order a serving of Arabian Prawn (Rs 750) to munch on while we sip Smoke and Mirrors (Rs 650) and an Islay Smoked Sour (Rs 950). Tossed in butter and garlic, the prawns are delicately spiced with parsley and lemon. These are a perfect accompaniment to smoked drinks. Smoke and Mirrors is Old Monk, apple juice, French gingerbread syrup, home made bitters, served in a swing top bottle filled with hickory smoke in a rocks glass with a block of clear ice. The mirror reflects the smoke that seems to flow into downward. The drink is heady, well-balanced and has a pleasurable spicy aftertaste.

On the other hand, the Smoked Sour comes with a shot of whiskey, ginger, honey, fresh lemon juice shaken and served on an ice block finished with a sea salt foam. With the Arabian sea right outside, this drink is a perfect mood setter.

In a mood to indulge, we finally order Baked Runny Cookie Pudding with Bourbon Ice cream (Rs 375) which takes its own sweet time (pun-intended) to come. It is worth the wait. The well-baked crusty cover dips into a gooey mush of chocolate that we devour between cold bites of bourbon ice cream that is stiff and vanilla-esque. The bold, familiar taste of chocolate coupled with a spirited ice cream begins a spoon fight and the dessert is finished in minutes fewer that it took to rise in the oven.

At House of Nomad, Taj Land's End, Bandra West.
Timing 3 pm to 1.30 am
Call 66681234
Cost for 2: Rs 3000

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