03 January,2014 08:22 AM IST | | Dhara Vora
Beer lovers can set out on a joyride with the opening of The Beer Cafe in a swish Thane mall; the catch -- you'll need deep pockets to go all out
The Beer Cafe
Food: Average
Service: Regular
Ambiance: Can do better
We Mumbaikars tend to feel short-changed when it comes to options with beer (we got our first microbrewery towards the end of 2013). So, when we heard that Delhi-based beer chain, The Beer Cafe, has opened its shutters in Thane, we wasted no time to check this bubbly outpost; distance be damned.
The Beer Cafe offers more than 20 varieties of beer. Pics/Dhara Vora.
Our hearts did a jig as we scanned the menu - 24 imported beers, as well as a healthy list of domestic players. They aren't serving draught beer yet, so one will have to wait to sip on their beer cocktails. From the list of imported beers you can choose from Hoegaarden, Asahi and Murphy's, as well as a few interesting additions including Kronenbourg 1664, which had an Indian launch recently.
We opted for Fuller's Black Cab (Rs 695, all prices exclusive of taxes) and Viru (Rs 445). For our culinary accompaniment, we ordered Honey Chilly Potato (Rs 195), a non-vegetarian Kebab Platter (Rs 495) and Paneer Tikka Shashlik (Rs 345). The Fuller's Black Cab stout turned out to be a good order with its dominating roasted flavour and a dark colour to cherish. Viru impressed with its bottle but turned out to be an average pilsner; we'd plumb for a local lager instead.
The non-veg Kebab Platter seemed over-priced
The Honey Chilly Potato was a good beer starter. The paneer starter was grilled well with a flavourful marinade that packed in the spicy quotient. The non-vegetarian platter offered generous portions, and comprised three types of kebabs. However, we felt that the prices didn't justify the dish.
Also, the food menu ended up being a let down in comparison to the exhaustive beer menu (what was Dal Fry doing on the menu?). Though sated with the beers, being a connoisseur will be an expensive affair, what with the over-priced food and taxes. We'll return for a tipple over the draught beer, still.
At: GF-04, Viviana Mall, Thane (W).
Call: 61701509
The Beer Cafe didn't know we were there. The Guide reviews anonymously and pays for meals.
