New Bandra hangout: Bonobo

Sometimes I think that my regular haunts are getting a touch too snooby, that double-whammy combo of snobbish and snooty. The more inclusive ones don’t serve alcohol and usually sport one perfunctory screaming child. So, I grinned and jumped when I heard about Bonobo, the new jungle-themed resto-lounge-bar named after an endangered primate with DNA that’s alarmingly similar to the human gene structure!

Apart from the conversation-starter name, with a tag line that read ‘bar.food.love’, I thought this might have some hangout-worthy potential.

What I saw, I liked: easy clean-line cane and wood furniture arranged at spacious intervals on an open terrace with jute-wrapped umbrellas that looked like trees, and lovely, textured, rattan-inspired walls. Large, well-stocked bars, both indoors and outdoors, cute jungle-inspired illustrations on the walls and cool dance groove music from a DJ made me happy to have found this watering hole. The vibe was young and although the service was a bit on the slow side, I certainly didn’t mind.

The menu had some delightful nibbles and drinks — an interesting mix of world cuisine and some brave, fun cocktails — my favourite being a naughty one called Lick My Peach. I would go back for the grilled sausages and teriyaki chicken skewers, both starters, while my friend enjoyed the grilled chicken and jalapeno risotto, creamy and hot, it managed to be satiating and greed-inducing all at the same time! I didn’t wait for the desserts this time, but am eager to sample the banoffee pie the next time I go, which will be soon. Guess I’m bananas about Bonobo already!

Bonobo, Kenilworth, Phase 2, 2nd floor, Off Linking Road, Behind KFC, Bandra, Mumbai; Tel: 26055050, 26055353; Timings: Open from 7pm to 1:30 am; Prices: A meal for two, with drinks, costs about Rs 1,500.