Friendly neighbourhood bar

Located opposite a popular multiplex in Malad, Vertigo Cafe and Bar isn’t hard to find. The eatery boasts of a cosy outdoor seating area, with a canopied roof and little bar.

Located opposite a popular multiplex in Malad, Vertigo Cafe and Bar isn’t hard to find. The eatery boasts of a cosy outdoor seating area, with a canopied roof and little bar.

The dining space inside doesn’t impress with its décor — like many other bars in the city, it features a wall that proudly displays framed pictures of Lennon, Hendrix and the likes. But the place has a charming neighbourhood-watering-hole feel to it that you tend to grow fond of. Everybody seems to know everyone; on at least four occasions, we spotted people waving out to friends and acquaintances seated at other tables.

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Although Vertigo seems to position itself as an all-day diner, there are Indian and Chinese dishes on the menu too. Among starters, the Pork Sausage Chilly Fry (Rs. 300), slathered in an amazingly flavourful sauce, couldn’t get better. The Soy Chicken (Rs. 250) didn’t disappoint either. The drinks menu lists quite a variety.

The Lynchberg Lemonade (Rs. 450) with its whisky base was consistent down till the last sip. However, the Kiwi Walnut mocktail (Rs. 220) got us wondering if it contained any nut at all. We ordered the Beef Burger (Rs. 220) with high hopes, which unfortunately came crashing down. Although the patty was huge, the meat lacked taste and juiciness. The Garlic Bread (Rs. 120) was a real discovery though.

The generous sprinkling of garlic over the buttered bread, in a way, made up for what the burger lacked. Vertigo also hosts karaoke nights and if the number of people who came in on a weekday is anything to judge the place by, it already seems to have consolidated its position as the friendly hangout for youngsters in that part of the city.

What we like: Sausage Chilly Fry
Ambience

We don’t like:
Decor of dining area
Beef burger

Rating: ***