Reflections Bar @ JW Marriott

Reflections, JW Marriott
Rating: **1/2

Points for just being at the JW Marriott. The hotel with the revolving door to some of the most famous faces in Mumbai. In fact if I am not mistaken, a Bollywood character actor recently tweeted about his meeting there implying that the best thing about conducting meetings at the JW is that he bumps into several industry friends. The reason I go on about this, is quite simple, Reflections is the perfect people watching space. And an additional point for utterly efficient and polite waiting and managerial staff. Shah Rukh Khan could be on the next table and I will be handled with as much fuss, interest and dignity as the over achiever on the next table.

Reflections isn't the swishest space at the JW. That would paradoxically be the cafe - BBC. Reflections is quiet. You can have a private meeting, actually have a conversation, and just linger in the company you have. They have tables and sofa spaces and an excellent wine and whisky list. A glass of Veuve Cliquot is for Rs 900 and a glass of a good Reisling will set you back 600-700.

The only failing is it's proximity to the restrooms, but because people walk past these tables to for Spices and Mezzo Mezzo as well, waiting here is a feast for the people watchers.

Reflections, JW Marriott, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu, Mumbai 400049.
Telephone: +91-22 66933000

Rating **1/2
Recommendations: The bar snacks are satisfactory, but save your appetitie for Spices
Atmosphere: Contemporary, elegant and quiet
Service: efficient but not hovering over you
Decibel: Conversational
Price Range: Rs. 450-900 for a drink
Hours: 7pm to 12.30am. 
No reservations really necessary.
Child friendliness: people under 21 are not permitted at bars in India.

Zenzi, Bandra West, Mumbai

Rating: **/5

The Zany Wateringhole

The outer edge of Bandra’s yuppie culture, Zenzi is the watering hole for people looking to getaway from the swish and the serious. Production crew, models, artists, photographers and media own the long bar on the outside and the tall tables that line the verandah. Boheme is an unspoken given here and the music, while occasionally loud, especially when the band is new is over zealous, can often be loud enough for you to talk over and buzzing enough to get into the groove thang!

The Bar snacks menu is limited but the have the New York style China Box which is quite popular. Rumor has that it was created by friends who would stay till late and grab some noodles and gravy in the wee hours. They have a mushroom starter that deserves some mention but for the life of me I cannot recall what it is. And the amnesia is itself a testimony to the bar.

But to be honest, the barkeep and his crew are not dazzling in their display nor is the bar limitless. But  the sultry outside complete with amateur photographic art for sale on the walls draws you in for a casual drink. Its easy to see this bar become your regular watering hole. Somehow the inside bar and dining experience feels like a whole different place and experience. And what passes for busy and buzzing outside seems like no elbow room on the inside. The food passes muster but isn’t anything to write home about but Zenzi has a clean-ish restroom that make an evening of beer-guzzling bearable.

Somehow the drinks that are served best here are the ones that come out of a bottle – entirely. The wine is chilled, the beer is iced and the whiskey should be on the rocks. The Bloody Mary lacks punch and the Caipiroska is too muddled and the waiting staff can be too familiar.

Still as you leave, with you head buzzing pleasantly, you know you will come back. For a beer, an evening of debauchery or for the New York-style China Box.

Zenzi **/5

RK Patkar Marg, Khar West, Mumbai 400050. Tel: 022 6643 0670

Recommendations: China Box and Beer.

Atmosphere: Relaxed, creative

Service: Prompt but over friendly

Decibel: Moderately loud music, louder conversations

Price Range: Rs. 1,000 for 2 people

Hours: 12.30pm to 3pm and 7pm to 12.30am. 
Book a table for dinner, no reservations at the bar

Child friendliness: Children not permitted in the evening.

Places in the neighbourhood: