New Meaning to Painting the Town Red

Given the state of the roads in the NCR region, plans for the evening tend to get prioritised by driving time. Not always, but usually, that's the case. I tend to hang around the 110048 pincode area. Have a lot of friends there, am incredibly lazy, and am particular about the place I frequent.Sometimes I wander out of the Greater Kailash area and explore other places. But the thing is --GK just happens to have a lot of really good places. My favourites are Diva, Smokehouse Grill and Shalom. On a Thursday night I inevitably get coaxed into unsettling at the Urban Pind. Middle of the day I would probably go to Ravi Bajaj's Fab Cafe.Very often, I would go to Kasbah which has Spago, Zaffran and earlier, Bohemia--the lounge bar.

Bohemia has a new avatar , and now, it is the sexiest bar in town.

Naturally, it's at Kasbah---and called Mannekin. Designed by Michael Jansen, an American designer, the theme seems to be fashion meets seduction. Very bollywood ishtyle--a perfect set for an 'item' number. The black and red with a generous dose of gold sets the mood for luxury and indulgence.

The textured gold ceiling and bar counter panel connects with the large floral gold motifs on the black floor and the gold on the sofa cushions. The sculpted pole dancer mannequins on the wall keep the adrenalin high.It's very exotic and Moulin Rouge.

Lots of cocktails to choose from---didn't try any as I am not really a cocktail person. The food is where you really find another bollywood signature. It's a total masala mix of virtually every cuisine !! So, there is something for everyone

Intended to focus on the fashion fraternity, the over-the-top element keeps the momentum ramped up. The armchairs are so comfortable that once you sink into them you don't really want to leave and the fabric is so soft it keeps yours senses numb a little longer.

I particularly like the fretwork partition. The pattern has been used on the red ceiling panels as well, which serves as a foil to the dramtic gold ceiling.

The music moves from Retro to Bollywood, House to Lounge and generally keeps you in the mood for another round of drinks. Recession ? ....well, I guess in times of trouble you need more things to cheer you up.