Cyber Hub Social

QUIRK IS IN!

IF FOOD AND DRINK QUALITY AND TASTE WASN’T ENOUGH, MORE AND MORE RESTAURANTS ARE NOW ATTRACTING GUESTS USING ALTERNATE AND FUN INTERIORS. THERE HAS BEEN A BOOM OF THEME BASED „GASTRO-PUBS“ THAT ARE OPENING AT THE SAME RATE THAT THEY ARE CLOSING. HOWEVER SOME, BACKED BY THE OLD PLAYERS OF THE INDIAN FOOD INDUSTRY, ARE CONFIDENTLY MAKING THE MOST OF THE TREND BY REPLICATING THEIR TRIED AND TESTED METHOD.

STOP!

In case you’re wondering why I’m shouting – capitals being the equivalent of shouting on page – it’s because that’s what you’ll be doing from the very moment you enter Cyber Hub Social (Social from here on). The music is so loud that everything else that is positive about the place gets lost in the sounds that pierce through the ears to the point that by the end you can’t wait to get out into the openness of Cyber Hub, Gurugram – the only alternative to this is taking one of their outside tables.

Designed in parts as a Mumbai chawl (low income community living), there’s lots to discover at Social. A few little rooms – high on eccentricity – provide diners with a cozy, semi-private, temporary abode, but it’s also a little cheesy taking one of these rooms especially if you’re a couple – might work better with smaller groups.

Social has gained a huge following across the country primarily because they aren’t afraid to play around a little, with the food they serve and how they present it. They manage to take, in their own little way, the visitor down memory lane to a place and time where life was/is simpler. This includes keeping the costs of their food and drinks to somewhere between cheap and average restaurant prices.

Social makes for a great place to have a few after-work drinks, because let’s face it, all one wants to do is drink and not talk or listen to anyone after a hard day in the office – that’s a slide remark at their music volume once again – it also works well as a restaurant with typical Mumbaiya food including a few chosen Parsi dishes – giving SodaBottleOpenerWala situated pretty much opposite them a little run for their money.

There is however a lot more on offer with a pretty decent breakfast menu, soups and salads, with poutine getting a special mention as does burgers, paos and baos.

The food sounds and reads promising. The Bombay Bachelors Sandwich that arrived was a little bland for my liking but still had enough foodie paraphernalia on/in it to bring forth a variety of flavours. My favourite though was the Aanda Mutton Seekh Parantha which included two juicy kebabs on a bed of Omelette and Malabari Parantha – Omelette base with a flaky parantha on top – that was not just filling but perfect with its flavour profile and served piping hot in a basket giving it a very street like appearance.

As for the drinks, even though I’m one of the few who believes the trend of overflowing shakes in mason jars should die soon, the Kit Kat Shake was equal to half a meal in itself and definitely saved me from having any cravings for midnight munchies that night.

Social is ingenious in the sense that it as visual a treat as it is tasteful but if it wants to please all the senses, then the trick is to approach them in moderation and not attack one – sound – over the others – Although, I think they take pride in having loud music. Why? I don’t know.

I’ll end where I started… the “oddity” factor makes Social stand out, and the food makes you stay, as does the drink prices, but with so many theme based gastro-pubs opening up in the city, soon the novelty of the ambiance will end and thus it’s important to keep building up on the food aspect – not just rely on drinks; something which a lot of restaurants do these days since that’s where the profits are – and not let these levels fall.

OH! AND TURN DOWN THE VOLUME A LITTLE SO PEOPLE CAN HAVE AN ACTUAL CONVERSATION.