Marriott's Evviva
At Courtyard by Marriott's Evviva, business travellers can enjoy a laid-back meal after a day of hectic parlaying with clients.
The backlit circular bar is the centre of all the action
Gazing at traffic chaos and shabby construction sites from a cosy distance; is that the whole point of a terrace lounge in Indian urbanity? Trust Evviva to answer that one. Suspended above the Bund Garden commercial district, the sky lounge stands to document Pune's steady and systematic expansion. A warm wooden deck that runs across, low lighting and some trippy jazz in the background; it gives business travellers that easy evening they've been yearning for after striking a deal or just ending the work day.
The backlit round bar at the centre is loosely inspired by the one in Mumbai's AER sky lounge; the cocktails however, are bold and original. The vodka-based Bull Frog is predictably green and is topped with an upturned can of Red Bull, so you get a kick out of monitoring the ginseng levels in your drink. Order the Evviva martini and you get theatrics, with the barman shaking and stirring the gin and vermouth at your table. Pair these with piping hot crumbled calamari served with spicy tomato relish. The Tuscan and seafood risottos are creamy yet not dense on the palate.
While the former has a generous helping of pine nuts and artichoke hearts, the latter carries the coastal freshness of lobster and baby squids.
The Indian offerings breathe out a burnt charcoal aroma; a serious turn on for tandoori buffs. The dal makhni is rich and buttery and the nalli nihari (slow cooked lamb), is smeared with masala curries. The menu favours carnivores, but the chef obliges by doing meatless versions of most entrees. For a sweet ending, try the casatta Siciliana, a well balanced cocktail of ricotta cheese and candied fruit. With fine-dine like food quality and the easy ambience of a terrace lounge, Evviva earns its spot in the sky!
Tuscan Risotto, Evviva Martini
Meal for two (with alcohol) Rs 3,000
(020) 67248260
The backlit round bar at the centre is loosely inspired by the one in Mumbai's AER sky lounge; the cocktails however, are bold and original. The vodka-based Bull Frog is predictably green and is topped with an upturned can of Red Bull, so you get a kick out of monitoring the ginseng levels in your drink. Order the Evviva martini and you get theatrics, with the barman shaking and stirring the gin and vermouth at your table. Pair these with piping hot crumbled calamari served with spicy tomato relish. The Tuscan and seafood risottos are creamy yet not dense on the palate.
While the former has a generous helping of pine nuts and artichoke hearts, the latter carries the coastal freshness of lobster and baby squids.
The Indian offerings breathe out a burnt charcoal aroma; a serious turn on for tandoori buffs. The dal makhni is rich and buttery and the nalli nihari (slow cooked lamb), is smeared with masala curries. The menu favours carnivores, but the chef obliges by doing meatless versions of most entrees. For a sweet ending, try the casatta Siciliana, a well balanced cocktail of ricotta cheese and candied fruit. With fine-dine like food quality and the easy ambience of a terrace lounge, Evviva earns its spot in the sky!
Tuscan Risotto, Evviva Martini
Meal for two (with alcohol) Rs 3,000
(020) 67248260
