The gangsta life

It is rather disconcerting to walk off Linking Road and into Gangsta's - Café and Bar. A startling contrast to the streets of Bandra, Gangsta's is a homage to all things mobster. Practically every inch of the ceiling and the walls are plastered over with gangster or mafia-inspired objects: chains hanging from the ceiling, brooding slate-coloured walls, massive steel doors, prison garb-inspired chairs, gothic-looking chandeliers, bars on windows and enormous pictures of Al Pacino and Marlon Brando glaring at the rambunctious crowd. "I was drawn to the place for the décor alone," says Shreya Chatterjee who lives just off Linking Road. "I was obviously not the only one. The joint was packed on Saturday night."

The gangster theme seeps into the drinks as well. Think cocktails with names like Scarface, Sexy Bull and Mexican Bandit, all of which are surprisingly smooth and fruity. We are not sure how Al Pacino's Tony Montana would react to the Grey Goose, apple and cilantro concoction (Scarface) but Gangsta's sweat-soaked Saturday night revellers seem to enjoy it. "I loved the Sexy Bull drink," smiles Chatterjee, "I must have had at least three glasses of it."

The mafia simulacrum, however, does not continue into the menu. According to the owner, Ranjeet Bindra, the food is "Mediterranean cuisine fused with Indian spices", which is a welcome change from the tepid, deep-fried gloop that pervades theme bar kitchens. Gangsta's aims for a somewhat sophisticated eating experience with dishes like fried Camembert wreathed in panko crumbs served with raspberry, blinis quivering with molten egg, caviar and cheese, rum and tamarind spatchcock au jus and smoky charcoal oven-baked lobster. Food fit for a don!

Gangsta's - Cafe and Bar, B/3, New Kamal Bldg, Plot no. 248, Opposite National College, Above Mapel showroom, Linking Road, Bandra (W) Phone:+91 987676645/8976023843