The all-new Hawaiian Shack

I’ve always liked the relaxed vibe of the Shack. And although I didn’t think it could possibly get more chilled, the place just dropped a few degrees very recently. What’s the secret behind this newly notched cool quotient? Well, it’s like this: On its fifth anniversary, the Hawaiian Shack expanded ops to two more floors. In memory of the late Shack founder Romy Lalwani, the new restaurant section is called Romy’s Paradise. With a separate entrance and playing very different music from the Shack, it’s where the younger, zanier lot seems to be heading these days.

When we’ve had our fill of retro, my gang of gals and I can come to a more commercial sound — from Bollywood and R&B to hip-hop. And although the decor has a rather rustic feel to it, complete with a faux red-tiled roof ceiling, there’s some other remarkable stuff too. A DJ elevator that moves between the two floors, drum-shaped tables and chairs and a collection of miniature musical instruments — from sitars and guitars to veenas and violins — mounted on the white stucco walls!

I tripped on the starters — especially the Chicken in Hawaiian Sauce and the Shanghai Paneer. And the signature cocktails and shooters put me in the spirit to turn dancing queen in a trice.

It may not exactly be the Taj Mahal, but when you’re kicking back with a long drink after a long week, you’ll be tempted to say, ‘If there’s Paradise on earth, it’s here, it’s here, it’s here’.

Romy’s Paradise, 2nd Floor, Hawaiian Shack, 16th Road, Khar (West), Mumbai; Tel: 226058753; Prices: Free entry for girls from Sunday to Thursday; On weekends, it’s Rs 400 for single girls, Rs 800 for couples and stags. Starters from Rs 150, Cocktails from Rs 250, beer pint Rs 100.