Review: Bangalore's Oval Bar -- An oasis of calm

The Oval Bar at Mantri Mall in Malleshwaram is a boon for the thirsty shopper. Located on the third floor, right across from the Mandarin Trail, The Great Kebab Factory and Bon South, this seems to be the perfect place for a quick drink with friends as you argue over which place to head to for a lunch or dinner. And for all those harried people whose near and dear ones are burning the plastic like it’s going out of fashion, this could be the ideal place to take refuge while panic mounts over next month’s credit card bill.

As the name suggests, the place is an oval enclosure of sorts, with half walls that give you a glimpse outside. Though that may sound a little bit like a designer goldfish bowl, once you’re seated inside, you are pleasantly surprised by the sense of privacy it offers. And it’s always nice to sit in a corner (or in this case, not a corner) and indulge in the great Indian game of people watching.

With piped music that is usually not too loud to drown the conversation, Oval Bar allows you to socialise at ease while cutting out most parts of the commotion outside. The seating is nice, the sofas and chairs plush and comfortable, the tables accessible enough and the bar stools very kindly refrain from the game of “let’s see if you can you hold on to your drink and not fall off trying to turn even a degree from this slippery, tall perch’. In other words, if you’re the sort that likes to sit at the bar and chat with the bartender or other drinkers around (very Hollywood movies and the zenith of cool for those of us who have not much else going on in life), this is a nice and comfortable spot.

The bar menu is fairly decent with a nice mix of wine, liquors, mocktails and cocktails. Okay, you may not exactly find a first growth Bordeaux here, but if you want a decent rose or a serviceable glass of white wine to while away your time of the day, you will find it and in all probability will not be too unhappy with what’s in your glass. The cocktails are just about alright, though you have to keep in mind that this is, in its stripped down form, a watering hole in a shopping mall.

The Screwdriver was a bit of a disappointment, the watery taste of orange juice was what registered with the palate first. One of the most deceptively simple drinks, there’s an interesting history attached to its name. It’s said that the drink was first made popular by the American engineers in Saudi Arabia, who used to secretly add a shot or two of vodka into their can of orange juice and stir it up with their screwdrivers as they had no swizzle sticks handy. The Cosmopolitan made up for it though. It wasn’t too tart with an overdose of cranberry juice (the test is to notice the colour even before you drink it; ideally a Cosmo should be pink and blushing and not outright red), you could feel the punch of the vodka and it was refreshing enough to be enjoyed slowly.

Trying to order the right food is a bit of Russian roulette actually, because some food on the menu may not be available. Once you zero in on the orders, they are decent enough. The Dim Sums we ordered (out of a lack of judgement and not because there was lack of choice) failed to hit the right spot though; but you have to make allowance for the fact that they are hardly the ideal finger food for a drinking round to start with.

The service is a pleasant surprise. They cater to families and individuals, being a place that definitely allows stag entries and yet ensure that all kinds of people who walk in feel comfortable and well taken care of and are not subjected to the intrusive barrage of overhelpful and overbearing service. For a place that can do no much screening of the footfall, the ambience was pleasant, unobtrusive and really provided a much-needed breather from the chaotic pace of the mall. It’s just the right place to put your life on hold for a couple of hours on a busy day when you have to get the groceries in, pick up a birthday present and make plans for dinner.

It puts the spirit back in you, no pun intended and fortifies you for what lies ahead — more bills, more people, more noise, more shopping or simply a drive out of the chaotic mess that forms at the foot of the mall. You are prepared adequately to take it in the chin if the day goes pear-shaped. Now if only they could be persuaded to open shop at Bangalore airport, I’d be happy.