Bar review: Moscow Mule is not just your usual pub

Moscow Mule
No. 122/A, Roerich Art Hotel, KHB Colony, 5th Block, Koramangala
How much? Rs2,000 (evening for two)


Rating: ***1/2

 

Most drinkers are quite familiar with the easy to make cocktail Moscow Mule, a drink made with vodka and ginger beer. This cocktail is the name of one of the city’s latest pubs. Located in Roerich Art Hotel, it was only befitting that the pub had a name that’s inspired from Russia.

I entered this pub on the rainy Monday evening to check out what it has to offer. Located in the basement of the hotel, it is a very well designed place, with interiors that remind you of the retro European pubs. With loads of wood work and green leather upholstery, this place has a very welcoming feel to it.

The first thing I noticed in this place is that this isn’t the typical Bangalore pub. You don’t have loud rock music; instead, these guys have happy pop, rock and jazz videos playing in the background. We later learnt that that was the exact idea behind up this place. And the music did go down well with the place.

The next thing that I loved was their menu. Designed like a passport, there are two separate menus for beverage and food. The passport is of Harry The Commander, who is the resident mule. And it is indeed trippy, reading the smart lines that are printed on this novel menu.

I chose to begin my evening with one of their barman’s favourite mix, Pomogranede. This drink, with vodka, Cointreau and fresh pomegranate, is the perfect perk me up drink, especially when you’re done with one long day at work. My friend chose to stay content with his mug of beer.

We also ordered for Sliced Pork In Cilantro Chilli Sauce and Beef Skewers. I personally loved the pork. The nice mix of cilantro and chilli ensured that there was welcoming flavour that complemented the nicely cooked slices of pork. The helpings weren’t bad either, in fact, one portion of a starter is perfect for two people.

While I like the sweet and spicy flavours of the beef, I noticed that the skewers, which were medium-done, got a little tough to chew on when the meat cooled down a little. My guess is that a little while longer on the fire couldn’t have hurt.

I next ordered a Moscow Mule, after all, I needed to check how well could the bartender make the drink that the place has been named after. Fortunately, it was quite a well made drink. Noticing that the menu had main course and I had a terribly long day and was famished, I asked for a Prawns Thermidor.

While this dish is cheesy and immediately sinful, it isn’t exactly like what you’d expect from one of your Michelin star restaurants. Yet, it tastes good on the palate, especially when one is a couple of cocktails down and that’s precisely what one’d expect from a pub.

My advice to those that want to make a trip to Moscow Mule, go here for the drinks, the music (it is one of the few places that plays rare oldies) and the friendly staff. Don’t go here thinking you want fine dining, it is a pub and it deservedly is good at ensuring it is one